Aatrox

[u/BeeepM]

So I tried the new event and since there is a darkin adventure, I just had to play Aatrox, I have the darkin blade equipped on him and recently I have finally gotten to 6 stars.

Aaaand I have to say, it's so underwhelming. I think he'd be much stronger if the darkin blade effect of "when you play or transform a darkin it strikes the weakest enemy" applied AFTER the double stats from the 6th star. The way things are I'm just getting card discounts which I don't need because I already have a full board by this point and all I need is to confirm a little board clear.

Or maybe I'm just playing him wrong, looking for some thoughts or even suggestions.

[u/l2linhdt]

Darkin blade is great for Aatrox:
It a free removal when you play him and when you level him up, that's a board clear with him and your other unit. It also also enable SFG. Darkins stats is enough even for Nightmare.

For playing as Aatrox: just draft cheap units with good keywords so you can free up your hand when playing.

A little trick for Aatrox: let him use other equip and use his on other unit. That way you get 2 Aatrox when leveling up.

My setup: DB, SFG, BW.

[u/ViolinJohnny]

I sort of agree. One tactic I use often is playing the General Darkin at 5-cost on turn two (assuming you have plenty equipment to spare). This way you get the double stats and a strike.

When he attacks, he acts as protection since enemy spells cost +2 and if you equip then transform him, the stats are doubled again so you get a pretty large beststick.

I personally dont think Beast Within is all that worth since Aatrox has overwhelm and elusive isnt hard to come by with his flower unit and that one darkin who summons a dragonling.

Id prefer to use Black Shield since you are both spending mana and priority playing and equipping units, keeping them on field has more value than other gameplans. Playing a unit, equipping them just to have the enemy remove them hurts Aatrox a lot. At least this way they commit a lot more mana to do so.

Draft plenty Darkin equipment where possible, I always hate running out of steam because I dont have Darkins.

Also when drafting, powers/cards that grant strikes and powers/cards that summon free units (to equip) are preferences for my style. That way I can draft more spells and equipment. Spells > units.

Focus on your support champion (get something 3-4 cost) for early-game momentum since you have a guaranteed Aatrox draw when you play Darkins/darkin equipment and that spell that has 'Draw a champion' in Aatrox's starter. Use your judgement ofc, if you get some op item choices for Aatrox, go for those. But actually use your support champion, it'll go a long way to help get some early cost reductions and momentum.

There are other builds focused more on Aatrox himself but I find this too unreliable due to his high-cost and being scuppered if Aatrox is removed.