Briar

Briar is a 1-cost Anima, Primordian and Rogue champion that usually plays as a frontline sustain unit. Its sustain or shielding makes it valuable when it survives long enough to buy time for the rest of the board. Briar appears in Swarm-Storm and N.O.V.A. Primordian lines, so keep copies when those boards are open.

Consider playing around Briar when you hit early pairs or a fast two-star copy in Stage 2. For items, Titan's Resolve and Bloodthirster are strong signals that Briar can stay on the board. For team direction, it fits naturally when you are already moving toward Swarm-Storm and N.O.V.A. Primordian. If it stays one-star, the traits do not activate, or the items point elsewhere, treat it as a transition unit instead of forcing the line.

Titan's Resolve, Bloodthirster and Hand Of Justice are recommended. Titan's Resolve rewards long fights with stacking damage and durability, Bloodthirster adds sustain and a low-health shield for extended melee fights and Hand Of Justice gives flexible damage and healing. The point of the setup is to keep it alive long enough to cast and hold the frontline.

When the perfect setup is not available, use Sterak's Gage, Edge of Night and Hextech Gunblade as substitutes. For frontline substitutes, prioritize durability, sustain, and opening damage reduction without stealing every carry item. If Briar is only a trait slot, one useful item is enough and the premium items should go to your real carry or main tank.

Early: use Briar as a cheap stabilizer and Anima, Primordian and Rogue opener when you hit pairs or usable items. Mid game: chase three-star only if the copies come naturally; otherwise prepare to move premium items. Late game: keep it mainly as a trait piece unless it is upgraded and itemized.

Place Briar in the first row on a side, or in the second row when it needs protection. It should enter combat quickly without eating every enemy attack at once. Its mana bar is short, so surviving lets it cast repeatedly.