The release of Fate’s Voids onward in Legends of Runeterra led many players to believe that decks based on equipment like Jax Ornn were no longer viable. However, this belief couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, Jax Orrn is still quite strong and I have personally experienced a lot of success with it.
One important change to note in regards to Jax Orrn is the nerf to Fish Fight. It now costs three Mana instead of its previous cost. This change has had a significant impact on Jax Ornn’s viability. If someone were to tell me that Jax Ornn is unplayable because of this change, I would find it more believable. However, claiming that Jax Ornn is completely unplayable because of the introduction of Explorers is simply unfounded.
To succeed with Jax Ornn, it’s important to adjust your strategy. For example, playing Bone Club and then forging it three times might not be as effective anymore, as opponents are now more likely to interact with such strategies. Instead, focus on playing Weaponmaster’s Apprentice into Jax or a Piltovan Castaway for consistent equipment value. While it may be frustrating to see your equipment get blown up by an Explorer, the equipment in this format remains powerful and offer long-term benefits.
In the current meta, where cards like Janna and P&Z Decks featuring Mystic Shots and damage-based removals are prominent, one advantage of Jax Ornn is the ability to boost your unit’s health. Equipment naturally provides these health bonuses, alongside cards like Omen Hawks, elixir of irons, and glacial saurions. Additionally, Jax Ornn excels at overwhelming opposing boards, thanks to cards like ruthless Raider and the overwhelm bonus accessed by flipping Jax and having Light of Icathia equipped.
Another aspect to consider when building a deck with Jax Ornn is the prevalence of decks like Janna, Samira Zed, and Wildfire style compositions. These decks often feature multiple small units, making cards like Bellows Breath invaluable for board clear. The inclusion of tough units like ruthless Raider allows for effective control while countering opposing boards.
In terms of deck composition, it’s worth mentioning that my personal preference leans towards not using Buried in Ice or Champion strength. Instead, I opt for a single copy of Battle Fury. This card provides surprise bursts of damage at burst speed and synergizes well with Jax Ornn, as it helps level him up before he hits the board. It adds an exciting element to the gameplay beyond just dealing massive burn damage at the end of the game.
In summary, despite initial concerns about the viability of Jax Ornn decks after the release of new expansions, this strategy remains strong in Legends of Runeterra. With careful planning and adjustments to your playstyle, Jax Ornn can still be a formidable choice on the battlefield. Don’t dismiss the power of equipment-based decks based solely on rumors – give Jax Ornn a try and see for yourself!
Link to Jax Ornn deck on runeterra.ar: https://runeterra.ar/decks/code/CUDACAQBAYAQMDAIAIAQCBAWAIDAABQRAIDACBALAIDQCCIQAMAQIAIKAEDAMHICAYARMIQCAEAQCBIBBAAAM
