Poppy

Poppy is a 1-cost Meeple and Bastion 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. Poppy appears in Astral Meep and Meepteors lines, so keep copies when those boards are open.

Consider playing around Poppy when you hit early pairs or a fast two-star copy in Stage 2. For items, Crownguard and Spirit Visage are strong signals that Poppy can stay on the board. For team direction, it fits naturally when you are already moving toward Astral Meep 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.

Crownguard, Spirit Visage and Gargoyle Stoneplate are recommended. Crownguard adds an opening shield and extra threat after it breaks, Spirit Visage matches the unit's combat pattern and Gargoyle Stoneplate scales well when several enemies target the same frontliner. 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, Adaptive Helm, Dragon's Claw and Steadfast Heart as substitutes. For frontline substitutes, prioritize durability, sustain, and opening damage reduction without stealing every carry item. If Poppy 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 Poppy as a cheap stabilizer and Meeple and Bastion 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 Poppy 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.