Aatrox
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Good (6.5/10)
High Investment Required
Epic Relics
Paid Relics
Aatrox is a polarizing champion. Historically considered weak due to a slow, "fair" gameplan that struggles against the explosive tempo of high-star adventures, he is prone to being overrun before he can stabilize. However, he received a significant lease on life with the release of his signature relic, The Darkin Blade, and his 6-star constellation. He excels at stabilizing the mid-game with massive lifesteal and board wipes but demands heavy investment—specifically his paid relic to enable Starforged Gauntlets—to feel competent in Nightmare content.
World Ender (Signature)
The cornerstone of his modern viability. It provides +0|+3 to enable Starforged Gauntlets and turns Aatrox (and every transformed Darkin) into removal tools upon entry.
Essential for the +1 Starting Mana. Enabled by the health buff from The Darkin Blade. Allows Aatrox to come down a turn earlier, which is often the difference between stabilizing and losing.
Grants Overwhelm to Aatrox and his Cultist followers (who all have subtypes), ensuring his massive stats actually end the game.
Strategy
This is the premier build for Aatrox. The extra mana helps you curve out, and The Darkin Blade turns Aatrox's summon—and the subsequent transformation of your followers into Darkin via World Ender—into a cascade of strikes that wipe the enemy board.
Double Stalker (Epic/Rare Mix)
Strike on summon provides immediate board control and healing via Aatrox's native Lifesteal/Regeneration or equipped items.- A second copy ensures that when Aatrox drops, he likely clears two threats and fully heals any prior nexus damage.
- Overwhelm is mandatory to close out games, as Aatrox can easily get chump-blocked without it.
Strategy
The standard setup for players without the signature relic. It maximizes Aatrox's entry impact to stabilize the board. Without the mana ramp from SFG, you are more vulnerable in the early turns, so mulligan aggressively for early drops.
Infinite Value (Rare Only)
- Essential removal and healing trigger.
- Doubles down on removal reliability.
Creates a fleeting World Ender (or Aatrox if not leveled) every round. This provides a consistent strike spell to clear threats or heal.
Strategy
A slower control build. You rely on GGC to constantly cycle strikes and World Ender to keep the board clean while you chip away at the enemy.
Other Relic Options
Can replace The Beast Within or a Stalker's Blade to force an OTK upon leveling up, though Aatrox often levels up defensively.
A budget alternative to The Beast Within if you lack the Epic relic, ensuring your large units have Overwhelm.
Aatrox is your entire win condition; if he gets removed by a spell (Vengeance, Recall, Entomb), you likely lose. This prevents that.
Allows Aatrox to attack into huge boards safely to trigger his cost reduction or champion spell, though generally considered inferior to immediate strike effects.
Constellation
Aatrox's constellation layout is frequently criticized for being restrictive, forcing players to unlock nodes they may not prioritize to reach key upgrades. The power budget is heavily focused on raw stats rather than mechanical changes.
Infernal Chains
When an equipped ally strikes, reduce the cost of a random card in hand by 1.
Corrupted Weapon
+1 Starting Mana. Game Start: Create in hand 2 random Darkin equipment.
Infernal Chains II
When an equipped ally strikes, reduce the cost of a random card in hand by 2.
Armed To The Teeth
Allies with Equipment or attachments have +2|+2.
Manaflow
Game Start: Get a mana gem.Review
Manaflow. Extremely important for Aatrox due to his high base cost (6 mana). Getting him on the board a turn early is vital for survival.
Darkin Awakened
When you summon or transform a Darkin, double its stats.Review
Doubles the stats of Darkin allies. While simple ('just a stat stick'), it is highly effective. It allows Aatrox to stat-check nightmare content, turning a 10/10 unit into a 20/20 behemoth instantly. It essentially solves his scaling problem, shifting him from 'struggling' to 'competent'.
Gameplay Tips
Initiative Management
Equipping a unit costs mana and, crucially, passes the initiative back to the opponent. In high-difficulty adventures where the AI develops rapidly, taking an action to equip a unit can leave you open to an attack. Plan your turns to equip only when it is safe or necessary for a trade.
The Signature Synergy
If you own The Darkin Blade relic, note that it triggers on Play or Transform. This means that when you cast World Ender, every follower on your board that transforms into a Darkin will trigger the relic's effect, striking the weakest enemy. This creates a massive, one-sided board wipe that often ends the game on the spot.
Sustain is Key
Aatrox's deck has built-in lifesteal through the Darkin Spear (Anaakca). Do not be afraid to take some nexus damage early to develop your board; once Aatrox or a unit with the Spear strikes, you can heal back to full rapidly. Stalker's Blade effects will trigger lifesteal if Aatrox has it (via his level 2 or equipment).
Discounting World Ender
Striking with an equipped ally reduces the cost of World Ender. This includes strikes from relics like Stalker's Blade. Prioritize equipping units early and taking beneficial trades to discount your win condition as fast as possible.