Something I think I need some help with, how do you all reach level 9 consistently in your games? I can econ to 8 pretty well but at that point 9 feels out of reach and I start to roll down.
Is it just something you go for if you go on a win streak early or should I just econ to 9 unless I'm about to be eliminated or desperately need a unit/star up?
I took a look at my match history and I went LV9 on 12 of the last 20 games I top 4'd. I was LV9 in 9 out of the last 10 games I got first in.
I'd say it depends on the comp. The "standard" comps with 4 cost carries spike at LV8 and the majority of players will do so at 5-1. If they were able to go fast 8 by having amazing econ and not having to roll at LV6 (3-2) or LV7 (4-1), they may be able to do it at 4-5. As a result, I'd say it's not the play to try and fast 9 and skip rolling down at lv8 unless you're playing something that spiked earlier, have the HP, and won't lose too much HP on the way to LV9.
Normally, you will rolldown at LV8. You will need to roll to 0 if you have to. You should stop rolling once you have:
- Your primary carry 2*'d (Aphelios, Karma, Mordekaiser, Draven, Velkozz), AND
- Several frontline units 2*'d
Once you have your key units 2*'d, you need to figure out how to get stronger. If the majority of your board is still 1* versions of 4 cost or lower units, youwill probably roll more. If you are missing key units and synergies, you will need to donkey roll. The reasons to go level 9 are:
- Add a key unit that adds a synergy (or ups your count of Mystic/Ironclad for the last few fights)
- Add a strong legendary unit
- 2* your legendary units
If you have a strong board (2* version of your most of your units and at least your key units), and can make 10+ or ideally 20+ gold at 5-2, you should be in good shape to hit LV9 in Stage 6. You don't need to go 9 with 50 gold to roll. If you have a unit you need to add to your field on your bench and that's all you really care about because it'll help you win a fight and get you Top 4, you can go 9 as soon as you have the gold to do so. If you need to roll for 5* units, then you probably want to wait until you can go LV9 with 20 - 30 gold to roll with. You'll almost never have 50+ gold to roll at 9 for a full comp unless you've been winstreaking for like 10+ rounds and are so rich you're going to build the Invoker board or something.
Sometimes 3*ing your 4 cost is a win condition, I'd only go for this if you have an extra 2--3 copies of your unit and not a single other person in the lobby is playing it or will survive another round with it. Or if it's impossible to go 9 that game.
This applies to 4 cost carry comps. If you're using a 3 cost carry like Yasuo or Katarina, I think you almost always slowroll at 8 for a 3* version unless there's someone else trying to do the same or 2+ other people using a 2* version of it.
I feel like I was a bit rambly above but that's basically what I do.
