HexComps Set 18 · patch 18.5

Draven & Elder Dragon Fast 9

Fast 9Difficulty: Hard Patch 18.5

Fast 9 duo carry: Draven and Elder Dragon behind a front row of 5-cost tanks and Vanguards. Needs a strong early streak and lots of gold.

Maokai

Ivern

Elder Dragon

Final board

★★

How to play

Fast 9 Play for economy, stabilise at level 8 only as much as you need, then go to level 9 for the 5-costs.

Levelling

42-1
52-5
63-2
74-1
84-2
95-2Roll down

Play it when

You are on a strong win streak with plenty of gold.
You have AD components for Guinsoo's Rageblade and Kraken's Fury.
You get an econ or level augment such as Level Up! or Birthday Reunion.

Game plan

2
Stage 2
Slam items and go for a full win streak with any strong AD opener – Riftbeasts with Cinderling, Gromp or Mama Beak as the carry work well. Build toward Draven's items (Guinsoo's Rageblade, Kraken's Fury) and give them to your early carry.
Cinderling Pebbles Yorick Scuttlecrab Varus Shen
3Riftbeast 2Juggernaut 2Inferno
3
Stage 3
Keep the streak. With an econ augment you can reach level 7 before 3-3; otherwise follow the normal curve: 6 at 3-2, 7 at 4-1. With 3 Inferno, one shop slot ignites after every combat and rolls a champion one tier higher, which helps you find 4- and 5-costs.
4
Stage 4
Level 8 at 4-2 and stabilise. After that, save gold – you can lose a few rounds if your HP allows it.
5
Stage 5
Go 9 by 5-2 with about 70 gold and roll for Draven, Elder Dragon and the 5-cost front line (Maokai, Taric, Kennen, Ivern).

Why it works

Draven's attacks hit random enemies in range and apply bleeds; his ability throws two axes at the enemy with the most bleeds and deals all of their remaining bleed damage at once. His unique trait, Bounty Seeker, hands out bounties with rewards, so he pays you back over the course of the game. Elder Dragon takes two team slots but adds +2 to Riftbeast, so together with Sentinel it reaches 3 Riftbeast and unlocks the Alpha Mark. His attacks also hit enemies next to the target, and his ability stuns and ignites the enemy team before turning into a fire breath; with the Alpha Mark he executes enemies below 12% Health. Amumu and Kennen activate Inferno for Burn and Wound, Amumu and Maokai Juggernaut, and Taric and Sentinel Vanguard, so the front row lasts long enough for both carries. Ivern shields two allies and gives them Damage Amp.

When to pivot

Elderwood Draven Fast 9 uses the same Draven core with Ezreal and Elderwood instead of Elder Dragon – pick the version that fits the 5-costs you find. Elder Dragon's partner is flexible: with AP items, play Lux, Alune or Soraka instead of Draven, and Morgana can also take his slot.