Illaoi

Illaoi is a 3-cost Anima, Vanguard and Shepherd 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. Illaoi appears in Slap & Zap and Meepteors lines, so keep copies when those boards are open.

Consider playing around Illaoi when you find a two-star copy in Stage 3 and your components already fit the unit. For items, Gargoyle Stoneplate and Steadfast Heart are strong signals that Illaoi can stay on the board. For team direction, it fits naturally when you are already moving toward Slap & Zap and Meepteors. 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.

Gargoyle Stoneplate, Steadfast Heart and Spirit Visage are recommended. Gargoyle Stoneplate scales well when several enemies target the same frontliner, Steadfast Heart matches the unit's combat pattern and Spirit Visage matches the unit's combat pattern. 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 Warmog's Armor, Bramble Vest and Dragon's Claw as substitutes. For frontline substitutes, prioritize durability, sustain, and opening damage reduction without stealing every carry item. If Illaoi is only a trait slot, one useful item is enough and the premium items should go to your real carry or main tank.

Early: hold useful components, but do not force the line before copies appear. Mid game: two-star Illaoi is the main power window for Stage 3 and Stage 4. Late game: either commit to a three-star angle or use it as a trait anchor while higher-cost units take over the items.

Place Illaoi as a main frontliner, usually same side as the enemy carry so it absorbs the first wave. If the opponent has strong single-target burst, add another tank beside it. It starts with some mana, making the first cast timing important.