LoR: 5 Ways to Play Ryze in Standard - Exhausting Enemy Resources!

Now that control archetypes are back in the meta, Ryze has also returned and become an interesting option to answer slower decks as well as Midrange decks, which are quite strong in the ranked queue too.

Today, we brought you 5 ways to play Ryze in the ranked queue at a high level. I'll show you their main differences and how to play with each one.

Ryze lists want to exhaust enemy resources by Stunning or removing cards, or simply preventing the opponent from developing their game plan. This way, you'll eventually have enough time to play all 5 of his landmarks, attack with him, and win the match.

Ryze Ionia - The Classic Version

This is the most classic and popular version of this archetype. This deck can answer open attacks quite easily because of Claws of the Dragon, which summons itself from your hand at burst speed. You can also summon a 1/1 blocker at burst speed with Jury-Rig.

These strategies make this deck quite consistent when the matter is defending your Nexus against aggressive decks that play many units on the board early on.

Eye of the Dragon is your main source of healing and also summons a blocker on the board.

Ionia is the best region to neutralize units on the board, and, thus, this deck brings literally the entire Ionian control package. Including cards like Blooming Bud and even Twin Disciplines to buff your Dragonlings even more.

This deck is extremely powerful, but also quite difficult to play. Its win rate on the ranked queue is not that high, but it is very popular in tournaments, particular in control lineups.

Ryze Morgana - The Competitive Version

Ryze is quite popular competitively, but there are a few matches he can't win. One of them is the Ekko Jinx matchup. So, players are now using Ryze with Targon and Morgana to play more Stuns and a few useful cards to deal with Quick Attack.

This deck is also great against Draven Rumble, as it is a bit more prepared to deal with Spellshield. This also makes it strong against Sivir lists.

Ryze Morgana heals a lot, and is also useful against Jinx discard. Cosmic Youngling absorbs a lot of pressure early on and can win these matchups for you on its own.

Furthermore, Morgana herself is one of the best options against aggressive decks.

Besides the extra Targon cards, this deck plays exactly like the Ionia version: you'll exhaust your opponent's resources and, eventually, win with Ryze.

Ryze Piltover & Zaun - The "Snowball" Version

Many players aren't prepared to deal with Ryze on the ranked queue and don't bring landmark removal. So, a few players are playing this version that focuses on Sunken Temple.

One of its greatest weaknesses is card draw, as it is heavily dependent on Predict spells. Sunken Temple solves this issue; with it, you'll quickly create a snowball.

This deck can, occasionally, "brick" and force you to rely on your next draws, but Sunken Temple fixes that.

To combo with Sunken Temple, it plays Practical Perfectionist, which can copy your Delve Into the Pasts and increase your odds of drawing them several times throughout the game.

Depending on your match, you'll create such a big snowball that, in a few turns, after you play Sunken Temple, you'll already have all the cards you need to win the game.

This version plays a few direct Piltover & Zaun removals that are great against small units, but not that great against Midrange decks. So, keep an eye out for these matchups.

Ryze Zilean - The Psychic Version

As we mentioned before, Ryze decks really need Predict, so this version just plays the entire Shuriman kit. This way, you can manipulate your draws at will and always have Delve Into the Pasts in your hand.

The idea behind this version is to be more consistent and play Ryze's landmarks on the board as early as possible. You'll do all of this, all while constantly activating their effects. Eventually, you'll win the game.

It doesn't play strong control tools or removals apart from Castigate, so, you'll need to pick the cards you play carefully. Any mistake can cost you the match.

Ryze Shadow Isles - The "No Fun Allowed" Version

Usually, Ryze decks don't play many removals and instead focus on Stunning units. However, this version doesn't care: you'll have the entire Shadow Isles kit, which focuses on removing enemy units.

Alongside these cards, you also play many heals that will keep you alive, instead of many blockers. This version is great against aggressive lists that don't play any protection spells or interaction with the board, and instead just play units all the time.

Jinx Draven, and even Lurk lists can't deal with the many removals this version plays.

It also plays great card draw, like Glare and Ceaseless Sentry, so it is quite consistent.

Because of how heavy the cards in this version are, it is slightly slower, and, as a result, might be a bit more difficult to play. However, with time and practice, you'll most likely win against most aggressive decks and swarm strategies!

If you read this far, thank you! I hope you enjoyed reading this article.

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