Lissandra

Lissandra is a 1-cost Dark Star, Shepherd and Replicator champion that usually plays as a backline damage dealer. It needs safe damage uptime, and the unit gets much better when your frontline buys enough time. Lissandra appears in Void Arcane and Slap & Zap lines, so keep copies when those boards are open.

Consider playing around Lissandra when you hit early pairs or a fast two-star copy in Stage 2. For items, Jeweled Gauntlet and Striker's Flail are strong signals that Lissandra can become a real carry. For team direction, it fits naturally when you are already moving toward Void Arcane and Slap & Zap. 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.

Jeweled Gauntlet, Striker's Flail and Spear of Shojin are recommended. Jeweled Gauntlet improves spell burst by enabling critical casts, Striker's Flail matches the unit's combat pattern and Spear of Shojin speeds up repeated casts. 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 Rabadon's Deathcap, Archangel's Staff, Void Staff and Deathblade as substitutes. For damage substitutes, match the damage type and cast tempo instead of forcing random stats. If Lissandra 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 Lissandra as a cheap stabilizer and Dark Star, Shepherd and Replicator 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 Lissandra 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. Its mana bar is short, so surviving lets it cast repeatedly.