How to Play Ekko Zilean
Hey guys NicMakesPlays here and today I’m going to go over my take on the new Ekko Zilean variant that is going around.
This deck is incredibly explosive and it’s no surprise why it’s popping up everywhere.
Although the deck debuted with Rise of the Underworlds, we’ve updated it for Magic Misadventures.
We’ve covered a ton of other decks so be sure to check out our previous deck guides!
Deck Code: CECAKBAHAEOE2T2TAQCAIAICAQDQCAIEGQAQKBAMAIBAIBZHRIAQCAIEBUAQCBAHCQ
[See NicMakesPlays Ekko Zilean deck details]
Win Condition
The goal of this deck is to level Ekko as fast as possible and then flood the board with units + Voice of the Risen.
This deck can win the game between turns 6-7 with Voice of the Risen, The Absolver, and Chronobreak.
Mulligans
you want to mulligan for as many early game Predicts as possible. These would be cards like Feral Prescience, Ancient Preparation, Aspiring Chronomancer, and Zilean.
If the opponent’s deck has a lot of low health units that go wide you can mull for Fallen Feline. If the opponent’s deck is combat-oriented you can mull for Scrying Sands.
I would also keep Ekko in your opening hand because the deck has a ton of Predicts but you aren’t always guaranteed to see Ekko.
Card Choices & Key Synergies
Feral Prescience / Ancient Preparation
Feral Prescience and Ancient Preparation are your cheap Predicts of the deck. Both of these cards are cards you want to mulligan for to start working towards Ekko’s level up right away. You can use these cards to Predict on turn 1 for Zilean or Aspiring Chronomancer to continue leveling up Ekko on turn 2. These cards are also great ways to dig for Dropboarder, Hexite Crystal, and set up your next draws.
Zilean / Aspiring Chronomancer
Zilean and Aspiring Chronomancer are your 2 drop Predict units of the deck. You always want to keep both of these cards in the mulligan. Zilean puts Time Bombs in your deck which enhances your future Predicts as well as leveling up Ekko. Zilean can be a win condition on his own because when he’s leveled he can outvalue the enemy deck. Zilean is good as a 2 of since double drawing him isn’t great due to his weak champ spell. Aspiring Chronomancer is another 2 drop Predict unit but it’s well statted to block in the early game.
Ekko / Sivir
Ekko is the main win condition of the deck and Sivir can help close out games as well. Ekko can easily be leveled on turns 4-5 in this deck which allows you to put Chronobreaks in your deck to go for game with. On top of this, Ekko allows you to refuel with his 0 mana Time Tricks and pack on tons of damage with Quick Attack.
Leveling Ekko also enables cards like Voice of the Risen and The Absolver to help go for game with, which are particularly powerful when combined with Chronobreak. Sivir is an alternative win condition when combined with The Absolver to give your whole field Overwhelm.
The Absolver / Voice of the Risen
The Absolver and Voice of the Risen are your main ways of closing out the game along with Chronobreak. This deck turbo levels Ekko so The Absolver and Voice of the Risen are usually live. The Absolver can be put on top of Ekko to push for huge damage or on leveled Sivir to give your whole field Overwhelm.
Voice of the Risen buffs your entire board which is just what the deck needed. This deck swarms the board with cheap units such as Fallen Feline, Zilean, Aspiring Chronomancer, and Dropboarders. Usually, these units are weak but with Voice of the Risen, they pack a punch. Voice of the Risen also makes your Chronobreak turns much stronger.
Station Archivist / Augmented Experimenter
Station Archivist and Augmented Experimenter are great ways to refuel after you used your hand to level Ekko. Station Archivist gives you access to a ton of spells such as Chronobreak, Hexite Crystal, The Absolver, Time Trick, and Mystic Shot. You can use Station Archivist as a toolbox to dig for cards to end the game or refuel with.
Augmented Experimenter helps deal with threats while also drawing you three new cards as well. This is great after you expend your hand to level Ekko, and then you can immediately refuel and continue playing.
Good Matchups
This deck is great at beating any deck that can’t deal with a ton of pressure such as Pantheon decks. You want to mull for early game Predicts to level Ekko by turn 4 and beat them before their deck comes online.
By turn 5 you want to have leveled Ekko, Voice of the Risen, and set up for a big Chronobreak turn. Against value decks such as Darkness, you can try and level Zilean to grind against them.
Against Aggro decks you can mull for Fallen Feline to try and get Hexite Crystals to clear their board.
Bad Matchups
This deck can struggle against decks like Lee Sin and Shellfolk since they can stabilize and just win from there. To beat these decks you have to have an incredibly strong opening and turbo-level Zilean.
Cards like Station Archivist, Augmented Experimenter, and leveled Zilean fall off since they can always beat you in the grind.
Mulligan for as many Predicts as possible, Ekko + Voice of the Risen and hope to beat them with a well-timed Chronobreak.
Tech Choices
If you want to tech in cards you can cut copies of Station Archivist, Sivir, and Augmented Experimenter.
Ruinous Path
This card can give you ways to deal damage, heal and refuel at the same time.
Aftershock
This card is a great way to deal with Landmarks such as Thralls and Bandle Tree or double as burn/removal. You can run this as a 1 of and see it when you need it because of Predict.
Preservarium
This card can help you refuel in the mid/late game without being as much as mana commitment as Augmented Experimenter.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, feel free to ask NicMakesPlays during his streams (usually 6PM-1230AM EST).
Catch NicMakesPlays live at twitch.tv/nicmakesplays 6PM-1230AM EST
