When comparing Patch 18.2 comps, start by asking at which level the board spends gold to finish its power spike rather than memorizing only the final roster.
A board that upgrades 4-costs at level 8 spends differently from one that reaches 9 for 5-cost power, even if both are considered strong options.
This guide covers the items and leveling plans for Blossom Ashe, Invoker Ahri–Morgana, Elderwood Draven, Primal Sivir–Nidalee, and Vanguard Aphelios–Brambleback.
The 18.2 mid-patch update returns the XP requirements for 8→9 and 9→10 to 68 each. A fast 9 line must account for HP and economy rather than leveling on a fixed round regardless of the board. This is an archived 18.2 guide, not a live-patch ranking.
Five Patch 18.2 Routes at a Glance
| Comp | Entry Conditions | Main Spending Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Blossom Ashe cap | Strong Blossom opener and economy | Stabilize at 8, then consider 9 |
| Invoker Ahri–Morgana | AP items and Invoker/Blossom opener | Upgrade core 4-costs at level 8 |
| Elderwood Draven | Preserved HP and strong economy | Supported fast 9 cap |
| Primal Sivir–Nidalee | Primal opener and AD items | Sivir 2 and Nidalee 2 at level 8 |
| Vanguard Aphelios–Brambleback | Vanguard opener and usable AD items | Finish two carries at level 8 |
The aim is not to force one comp from the first shop.
Follow early components, natural 2-stars, Augments, HP, and gold toward the board you can finish most realistically.
Blossom Ashe: Can This Game Support Level 9?
Blossom Ashe uses high-cost units to build a late-game cap.
As a 5-cost, Ashe is not something to wait for from the opener. Preserve HP through Blossom or another strong board on the way to levels 8 and 9.
The source’s 18.2 examples include fast 9 Ashe and an item setup of Spear of Shojin, Red Buff, and Last Whisper. Treat these as that patch’s examples, not verified current best-in-slot items.
Ashe’s Main Items
Consider the following items for the described setup:
- Spear of Shojin
- Red Buff
- Last Whisper
Give spare offensive items to another backline threat, and concentrate tank items on the most effective available frontliner, such as Sett or Maokai.
Gnar can make good use of Thief’s Gloves, giving spare Glove components another possible destination.
Sett Is a Frontline Fighter, Not Only a Tank
Sett combines physical damage and self-healing, so think of him as a frontline fighter rather than a purely defensive wall.
His ability includes healing and physical damage. HP and survival help him stay in combat and cast repeatedly.
Use available frontline items such as Sterak’s Gage, Spirit Visage, Warmog’s Armor, or Gargoyle Stoneplate as appropriate.
Rather than waiting for one mandatory tank item, finish effective Ashe damage items, then build the best frontline setup from the remaining components.
Blossom Ashe Leveling Plan
A typical framework is:
Level 6 at 3-2 → level 7–8 in Stage 4 → reassess level 9
A win streak or XP/gold Augments can accelerate that schedule.
After the 18.2 mid-patch XP increase, forcing 9 at low HP becomes riskier.
If the level 8 board is weak, spend to stabilize it first, then reconsider 9 after rebuilding economy.
Invoker Ahri–Morgana: A Level 8 AP Board
Ahri–Morgana is an AP line built around spending at level 8.
The two carries provide area magic damage while frontline buys repeated casts.
In this 18.2 snapshot, the board can combine Blossom, Invoker, Riftbeast, and Vanguard in a level 8 AP shell.
Ahri Item Options
Ahri can use options such as:
- Spear of Shojin
- Jeweled Gauntlet
- Rabadon’s Deathcap
- Striker’s Flail
- Blue Buff
- Adaptive Helm
Rather than waiting for perfect best-in-slot, complete casting support plus AP or crit damage soon enough to preserve midgame HP.
Morgana Item Options
For Morgana’s area damage and utility, consider:
- Morellonomicon
- Void Staff
- Adaptive Helm
- Hextech Gunblade
Anti-heal or magic-resistance reduction can support Ahri’s damage too.
The First Job at Level 8
Prioritize 2-star core units at level 8 before pushing 9.
Going 9 while Ahri, Morgana, and key tanks remain 1-star can lead to heavy losses in the next fights.
Spend enough at 8 to upgrade the core 4-costs, then rebuild economy before preparing 9.
With many AP items, develop Morgana as a second carry instead of concentrating every item on Ahri.
Elderwood Draven: A Cap for Strong Economy Games
This level 9 board builds around 5-cost Draven and several other expensive units.
It is a route to consider when both HP and economy support a higher late-game ceiling.
The source’s 18.2 material treats Elderwood Draven as a level 9 AD board centered on 5-costs.
Draven’s Main Items
Draven can use items that reward sustained attacks.
The featured core is Guinsoo’s Rageblade.
Possible partners include:
- Kraken’s Fury
- Deathblade
- Giant Slayer
The source highlights Rageblade with Kraken’s Fury and treats Rageblade as central to its Draven setup. This is the historical build discussion, not a live item ranking.
Prepare Frontline Items Too
Finishing only Draven’s items does not finish the board.
The backline carry needs tanks to survive while attack speed builds.
Maokai can receive defensive items such as Gargoyle Stoneplate, Warmog’s Armor, and Spirit Visage.
Flexible item users such as Gnar or Kennen can make use of Thief’s Gloves.
Aim for a Supported Level 9, Not Desperate Level 8 Draven Rolls
This cap needs more gold than a typical 4-cost board.
If you lost substantial early HP, waiting blindly for Draven and level 9 is dangerous.
Prepare 9 when a win streak or economy Augment provides resources and the level 8 board is already strong.
At critical HP, pivoting to a 4-cost AD line that uses your existing items may be safer.
Primal Sivir–Nidalee: A Level 8 AD Board
Sivir–Nidalee builds around Primal at level 8.
In the 18.2 example, both 4-cost units can contribute as key damage threats.
Sivir’s Main Items
Build around Infinity Edge with suitable partners from:
- Infinity Edge
- Red Buff
- Striker’s Flail
- Spear of Shojin
- Last Whisper
- Deathblade
- Giant Slayer
The source’s 18.2 discussion includes Infinity Edge–Red Buff–Striker’s Flail and Infinity Edge–Shojin–Striker’s Flail as examples. These are not independently verified current performance rankings.
Stay flexible around drops rather than memorizing Infinity Edge, Spear of Shojin, and Deathblade as the only acceptable build.
Nidalee Can Provide the Secondary Damage
Nidalee connects Primal with Sivir while adding a second damage source.
Finish Sivir’s main items, then allocate suitable spare damage, mana, or survival items to Nidalee. This reduces the pressure to force two complete builds at once.
Concentrate defensive items on a frontline unit such as Malphite.
Complete the Main 2-Stars at Level 8
This route does not start by rushing 9.
At 8, prioritize upgrades in this framework:
Sivir → Nidalee → key frontline
If the board is weak, roll after reaching 8. If it already holds, you can preserve interest and roll more gradually.
After enough core 2-stars are ready, use surplus gold for 9 and another useful synergy.
Vanguard Aphelios–Brambleback: Two AD Carries at Level 8
This board combines Aphelios and Brambleback behind Vanguard frontline.
The two physical threats aim to break through the enemy frontline quickly while Vanguards hold.
The source’s 18.2 guide describes them as a dual-carry level 8 comp.
Aphelios Items Favor Immediate Damage
The featured priorities are:
- Deathblade
- Infinity Edge
- Red Buff
Giant Slayer is an option into a very durable frontline.
Rageblade can work, but this route aims to break one side quickly with Brambleback, so immediate damage is often a better fit for the described plan than a Rageblade/Kraken long-fight setup.
Brambleback Values Quicksilver
As a melee threat, Brambleback needs to keep attacking without losing too much time to crowd control.
The source proposes:
- Quicksilver
- Sterak’s Gage
- Deathblade
Infinity Edge or Giant Slayer can replace Deathblade, and Edge of Night can replace Sterak’s when appropriate.
The Important Roll Is at Level 8
Immediate level 8 strength matters more than greed for 9 in this route.
Reach 8 during Stage 4, then look for Aphelios 2, Brambleback 2, and core frontline upgrades.
Saving for 9 while those units remain 1-star can cost HP quickly during Stages 4 and 5.
Extend to 9 only when enough core upgrades are finished and HP and gold allow it.
Choosing Between the Five Patch 18.2 Routes
Start with items to narrow the options.
With Many AP Components
Shojin, Jeweled Gauntlet, and Rod-heavy drops support considering Ahri–Morgana first.
With Many Attack-Speed Components
Multiple Recurve Bows and strong economy can support a Draven cap.
Because Draven is a 5-cost, this still requires healthy early HP and economy.
With B.F. Swords and AD Items
If you need a level 8 spike using AD items, Sivir–Nidalee or Aphelios–Brambleback may be the more natural routes.
With Exceptional Economy
A win streak, gold Augments, or XP support can make level 9 lines such as Blossom Ashe or Draven more accessible.
At low HP, prioritize the 2-stars and combat strength you can field now over a distant cap.
The Most Important 18.2 Spending Decision
Judge your board rather than forcing a particular level on a particular round.
The mid-patch XP increase makes a rule like always go level 9 on 5-1 especially likely to leave you without enough gold.
Use this order:
- Estimate how many losses your HP can survive.
- Check gold left for core-unit rolls after leveling.
- If essential 4-costs remain 1-star, prioritize upgrades.
- If the board is already strong, preserve interest toward the next level.
- Let gold or XP Augments support faster leveling when the board allows it.
Beyond knowing a good comp, you need the judgment to spend at the right time.
FAQ
Which of These Comps Is Easiest to Learn First?
Level 8 4-cost boards such as Sivir–Nidalee or Aphelios–Brambleback have a relatively clear spending structure.
Level 9 caps add the challenge of preserving both HP and economy.
When Should I Consider Draven?
When Rageblade and Kraken’s Fury come naturally and early HP and economy are strong.
If you cannot afford the route to a level 9 5-cost board, another AD comp may be a safer use of those items.
Sivir or Aphelios: Which Route Should I Choose?
Natural Primal units and Sivir support Sivir–Nidalee. A Vanguard opener and Brambleback copies support considering Aphelios.
The core units actually appearing in your shops matter alongside items.
Must I Reach Level 8 at 4-2?
No.
Level 8 at 4-2 is a common reference point, not a requirement. If leveling leaves no roll gold or HP is critical, you may need to spend earlier.
A strong win streak and economy can instead support more aggressive leveling.
Were Level 9 Caps Still Possible on 18.2?
Yes, but restoring 8→9 to 68 XP in the mid-patch update made them more expensive than at the initial patch release.
For Ashe or Draven, the priority is checking whether the level 8 board is strong enough before treating 9 as the goal.
Are These Five Comps in Current Win-Rate Order?
No.
They are examples of leveling comps from the 18.2 environment. Their order does not represent a live win-rate or tier ranking.
Performance can change with mid-patch updates, meta shifts, and rank even within one numbered patch.
Putting the 18.2 Routes into Practice
When comparing these boards, first distinguish a comp that spends at level 8 from one that preserves resources toward level 9.
Blossom Ashe and Elderwood Draven use strong economy to reach higher-cost caps. Ahri–Morgana, Sivir–Nidalee, and Aphelios–Brambleback prioritize core 4-cost 2-stars at 8.
Good items and Augments still need enough HP to reach the final board. Choose the route that makes your current resources useful soonest, then decide whether to roll now or prepare the next level. That is the central spending question in this 18.2 guide.
Regional and version notes
This is an archived 18.2 selection guide, not a present-day win-rate ranking. The XP figures include the September 14 English mid-patch update, which restored both 8-to-9 and 9-to-10 costs to 68 XP. Item examples describe the source’s 18.2 setups. Some illustrations are retained from the Korean edition and may include Korean labels. Use the English article text for instructions.
Localization sources checked October 22, 2026 (Korea time):