Leona

Leona is a 1-cost Arbiter and Vanguard 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. Leona appears in Protect Teemo and Mirror Mayhem lines, so keep copies when those boards are open.

Consider playing around Leona when you hit early pairs or a fast two-star copy in Stage 2. For items, Bramble Vest and Dragon's Claw are strong signals that Leona can stay on the board. For team direction, it fits naturally when you are already moving toward Protect Teemo and Mirror Mayhem. 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.

Bramble Vest, Dragon's Claw and Warmog's Armor are recommended. Bramble Vest covers physical and critical-hit pressure, Dragon's Claw keeps the tank stable against magic-heavy boards and Warmog's Armor raises raw health for units expected to take early aggro. 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 Steadfast Heart, Spirit Visage and Gargoyle Stoneplate as substitutes. For frontline substitutes, prioritize durability, sustain, and opening damage reduction without stealing every carry item. If Leona 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 Leona as a cheap stabilizer and Arbiter and Vanguard 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 Leona in the first row near the center so the control reaches key targets. Against heavy burst, move it one hex off-center and pair it with another frontliner. It starts with some mana, making the first cast timing important.