Volibear
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Excellent (8/10)
Low Investment
Rare Relics OK
Paid Relics
Volibear is widely regarded as one of the most entertaining 'timmy' champions, delivering a satisfying power fantasy of dropping massive units and wiping the board. He is extremely strong at 3 stars, capable of clearing most content without issue. However, his Constellation upgrades—specifically his 4-star and 6-star powers—are frequently criticized as underwhelming, 'win-more', or anti-synergistic compared to other Freljord options like Ashe. While effective, he doesn't gain as much transformative power from high investment.
The Storm Manifest
Essential for the +1 Starting Mana, allowing you to ramp into Volibear much faster. The Titanic condition is easily met by Volibear himself.
Provides massive cost reduction by dealing 3 damage to all allies on play. This synergizes perfectly with Volibear's 2-star power, generating Sigils of the Storm for every ally slain this way, often allowing a turn 1 or 2 drop.
Generates two high-cost units from your regions reduced by Volibear's cost. Since Volibear is often discounted by Sigils, this provides immense value and board presence immediately.
Strategy
This setup focuses on cheating Volibear out as early as possible. Use early units to chump block or serve as fodder for Disciple of Shadows. Once Volibear drops, he refills your hand with high-value threats via Portal Pals.
Elemental Fury (Skill Damage)
- +1 Starting Mana to accelerate your game plan.
Increases the damage of Elemental spells and skills by 2. This significantly buffs Volibear's 'Relentless Storm' skill and his 'Avalanche' spell, making board wipes much more consistent.
Grants a 0-cost copy of his champion spell (Relentless Storm) upon leveling up. With Icon of Valhir, this becomes a devastating nuke.
Strategy
Focuses on maximizing the damage output of Volibear's skill and spells to control the board.
Oath of the Thunder God
Shuffles level 2 champions into your deck. While Volibear isn't the premier Oath user, adding more Titanic stats to the deck fuels his gameplan.
When you play a champion, it strikes the weakest enemy (and strongest if you are Nasus, which you aren't, but the base effect is enough). Combined with Oath, your doubled-stat champions become removal tools.- +1 Starting Mana.
Strategy
A fun alternative that leverages the massive stats from Oath to control the board via Scales of Judgment strikes.
Free-to-Play Smash
Strikes the weakest enemy on summon. This triggers Volibear's slay synergy immediately, generating Sigils and potentially removing a threat.
Strikes the enemy Nexus on summon. Since Volibear is huge, this deals significant chip damage or outright lethality.
Rallies on level up. Volibear often levels up on the turn he is played or shortly after, allowing for a game-ending swing.
Strategy
A reliable setup using common and rare relics. Stalker's Blade helps stabilize the board, while Gatebreaker and Crownguard push for a quick victory.
Other Relic Options
Since Volibear is expensive, you will often reach 6 mana gems. This allows you to double cast powerful spells like 'Avalanche' or 'Warmother's Call'.
On play, draw a card and reduce its cost to 0. Useful for maintaining momentum after dropping Volibear.
Create a Redoubled Valor. Good for making a massive unit if you lack other options.
A defensive option if you find yourself taking too much damage before Volibear comes down.
Constellation
Volibear's constellation is widely considered one of the weaker ones, primarily due to a 4-star power that lacks synergy and a 6-star power that feels like 'win-more'. He functions perfectly fine at 3 stars, and investment beyond that is often seen as lower priority compared to champions like Ashe.
Subterranean Thunder
When you slay a unit, summon a Sigil of the Storm.
Sky Splitter
+1 Starting Mana. When you summon a Titanic ally, it strikes the weakest enemy.
Subterranean Thunder II
When you slay a unit, summon 2 Sigils of the Storm.
In My Sights
Round Start: Grant the weakest enemy Vulnerable.Review
Grant the weakest enemy Vulnerable at Round Start. This is heavily criticized as one of the worst 4-star powers. Volibear's titanic units and skills usually kill enemies outright, rendering the Vulnerable status redundant and unnecessary.
Manaflow
Game Start: Get a mana gem.Review
Manaflow (+1 Starting Mana). Universally excellent for high-cost champions, allowing Volibear to hit the board a turn earlier.
Doom of All
When you summon a Titanic ally, grant it +2|+2 for each stack of Sigil of the Storm.Review
When you summon a unit, grant it stats based on your Sigils. While it provides a massive stat boost, it is generally considered overkill. If you are summoning units with that many Sigils, you are likely already winning. It lacks the transformative gameplay impact seen in other 6-star upgrades.
Gameplay Tips
Sacrifice for the Storm
Don't be afraid to kill your own units. Using Avalanche to wipe your own board of small units is a valid strategy, as every ally death generates a Sigil of the Storm, accelerating Volibear's arrival.
Drafting for Size
Prioritize drafting Titanic units (8+ Attack or Health). Volibear's entire kit revolves around cheating out these massive threats. Cost reduction items or powers are highly valuable to get the ball rolling.
Disciple of Shadows Synergy
If running Disciple of Shadows, managing your board state is key. Flooding the board with cheap fodder allows you to play Volibear for very little mana, as he will kill them on entry to discount himself further while generating Sigils for the next unit.
The 'In My Sights' Trap
If you have his 4-star power, don't rely on it. The Vulnerable debuff is often applied to a unit that your Titanic summons or skills will kill anyway. Focus on your own game plan of ramping and smashing rather than trying to play around this specific power.