How to Play Defender Azir
A stage-by-stage plan for Defender Azir: opener, when to level and roll for Azir, and where to position the board.
- Tier
- A
- Top 4 rate
- 87.1%
- Avg place
- 2.58
- 1st place
- 38.7%
- Playstyle
- Fast 9
- Games
- 31
How to level and roll with Defender Azir
Fast 9Defender Azir is a Fast 9 comp: level on the standard curve and roll down at level 9 on stage 5-1 to find Azir. At level 9, each shop slot has a 15% chance to be a 5-cost.
| Stage | Level | Action | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-1 | 4 | Level | Level to 4 and play your strongest pairs; slam an early item if it saves HP. |
| 2-5 | 5 | Level | Level to 5 and keep building interest toward 50 gold. |
| 3-2 | 6 | Level | Level to 6 and save to 50 gold. |
| 3-5 | 7 | Level | Level to 7 while staying on interest. |
| 4-1 | 8 | Level | Level to 8 but roll only enough to stay healthy — the real roll is on 9. |
| 4-5 | 8 | Save gold | Rebuild gold toward 50 and keep your HP above 40. |
| 5-1 | 9 | Roll down | Level to 9 and roll down for your 5-costs and Azir 2-star. |
| 6-1 | 10 | Push level | With a stable board and spare gold, push to 10 for the last legendaries. |
Defender Azir early game and opener
We don't have enough early-board data for Defender Azir yet. Play your strongest pairs early and hold units that share traits with Azir.
Rolling odds for Defender Azir
Azir is easiest to find around level 9. Use the calculator to see your odds of a 2-star for the gold you have.
Rolldown calculator: Azir
Pre-set to this comp's roll level. Change copies owned, copies other players hold and your gold.
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Defender Azir positioning
A starting board for Defender Azir. Drag units to adjust it, switch to the anti-assassin layout when the lobby has divers, and copy the Team Planner code into the TFT client.
- Corner Azir on the back line and put Taric in front of it.
- Split Azir and Seraphine across the back line so a single area spell can't hit both.
- Shyvana, Renekton , and Taric hold the front line — put the tankiest one opposite the enemy carry.
- Against assassins, step your carries up one row and leave Vi and Neeko in the back corners as bait.
Positioning board
Drag a unit onto another hex to move it — dropping on a unit swaps them.
When to play Defender Azir
Strengths
- Average place better than 76% of comps of the same board size
- Wins the lobby often (38.7% first places)
- Two damage threats (Azir and Shyvana) make itemizing flexible
- Rarely played, so its units are usually free
Weaknesses
- Needs Azir and Shyvana at high cost, which can be hard to hit
- Weak until level 9 — you need HP to survive the econ phase
Strategic Tips
Economy
Stay on interest and save your big roll for level 9 at stage 5-1.
Itemization
Build Guinsoo's Rageblade, Jeweled Gauntlet, and Jeweled Gauntlet on Azir.
When to pivot
Scout at 2-1 and 3-2: if two or more players hold your core units, or you haven't found any by 3-2, move into one of the comps on the Similar Comps tab instead of forcing Defender Azir.
Get the Winning Edge
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How to play Defender Azir – FAQ (TFT Set 16)
How do you play Defender Azir?
Defender Azir is a Fast 9 comp: level on the standard curve and roll down at level 9 on stage 5-1 to find Azir. Corner Azir on the back line and put Taric in front of it. Build Guinsoo's Rageblade, Jeweled Gauntlet, and Jeweled Gauntlet on Azir.
When should I roll down for Defender Azir?
Roll down at level 9 on stage 5-1. That is when Defender Azir finds Azir and its core most reliably; save gold before it.
What level do you roll for Azir?
Roll for Azir at level 9. At level 9, each shop slot has a 15% chance to be a 5-cost.
Is Defender Azir a reroll comp?
No. Defender Azir is a Fast 9 comp: level up and roll down at level 9 to find your 4- and 5-cost units at 2 stars.
How do you position Defender Azir?
Corner Azir on the back line and put Taric in front of it. Split Azir and Seraphine across the back line so a single area spell can't hit both. Shyvana, Renekton , and Taric hold the front line — put the tankiest one opposite the enemy carry. Against assassins, step your carries up one row and leave Vi and Neeko in the back corners as bait.
What is the best opener for Defender Azir?
Defender Azir has no fixed opener: play your strongest early pairs, keep HP high and hold units that share traits with Azir.