Caitlyn

Caitlyn is a 1-cost N.O.V.A. and Fateweaver champion that usually plays as a backline burst carry. Its damage pattern is burst-focused, so place it where it can help finish the same side of the fight quickly. Caitlyn appears in Swarm-Storm and Cards & Cartridges lines, so keep copies when those boards are open.

Consider playing around Caitlyn when you hit early pairs or a fast two-star copy in Stage 2. For items, Deathblade and Infinity Edge are strong signals that Caitlyn can become a real carry. For team direction, it fits naturally when you are already moving toward Swarm-Storm and Cards & Cartridges. 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.

Deathblade, Infinity Edge and Guinsoo's Rageblade are recommended. Deathblade keeps attack damage high for basic attacks and physical casts, Infinity Edge increases physical burst through stronger critical strikes and Guinsoo's Rageblade ramps attack speed in longer rounds. The point of the setup is to give it enough uptime to convert its damage pattern into round wins.

When the perfect setup is not available, use Giant Slayer, Kraken's Fury, Last Whisper and Red Buff as substitutes. For damage substitutes, match the damage type and cast tempo instead of forcing random stats. If Caitlyn 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 Caitlyn as a cheap stabilizer and N.O.V.A. and Fateweaver 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 Caitlyn in the back two rows with a clear line to the enemy frontline. Spread it away from your other carry unless you need same-side focus fire. It does not rely much on normal mana timing, so focus on keeping its damage pattern safe.