N.O.V.A. 95 Route: Fast 9 Tempo and Late-Game Upgrades

At level 9, cap with Aatrox, Akali, Maokai, Tahm Kench, Fiora, Shen, Morgana, Graves, and Vex. If your board quality is not high enough, keep 5-costs that are upgraded or already holding items.

Graves and Fiora share most item choices. Fiora needs Edge of Night more, while Graves needs Quicksilver more. Vex must have Guinsoo's Rageblade, then can add Void Staff, Hextech Gunblade, or other AP items. Main tank can be Tahm Kench or Nunu & Willump; if you do not have anti-heal, prioritize Sunfire Cape. For other tank items, prioritize the recommended ones because both Tahm Kench and Nunu & Willump use them well.

Fiora and Vex are both powerful 5-costs, and Graves gives the board its highest cap. The core of this setup is using the N.O.V.A. effects from Aatrox and Akali: Aatrox gives the whole team built-in resistance shred, while Akali lets the whole team crit. This saves utility item slots and greatly increases the damage of your 5-costs.

Position the whole board toward the opponent's weak side so Graves and Fiora can reach the backline more easily, while also helping Vex stack both Attack Damage and Ability Power.

Augment selection logic: take the usual Fast 9 augments. Zed's exclusive items, Spear of Shojin, Edge of Night, and Iceblast Armor, are also playable. After taking them, you usually replace Vex or another low-quality 5-cost.

This line is not picky. Ahri is an auto-pick, followed by Aurelion Sol, Thresh, and Ekko, which can all add a lot of economy. When win-streaking, Kayle and Evelynn are good; when loss-streaking, Soraka is good.