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
- S
- Top 4 rate
- 57.9%
- Avg place
- 4.16
- 1st place
- 21.1%
- Playstyle
- 2-cost reroll
- Games
- 19
How to level and roll with Defender Azir
2-cost rerollDefender Azir is a reroll comp: slow roll at level 6 from stage 3-2, keeping 50+ gold and rolling only the excess until Vi reach 3 stars. At level 6, each shop slot has a 40% chance to be a 2-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 | Slow roll | Stay at level 6: roll only the gold above 50 each round until Vi hit 3 stars. |
| 3-5 | 6 | Slow roll | Stay at level 6: roll only the gold above 50 each round until Vi hit 3 stars. |
| 4-1 | 7 | Level | Once your 3-stars are done, level up and add the units that complete your traits. |
| 4-5 | 8 | Level | Level to 8 for 4-cost upgrades and a stronger frontline. |
| 5-1 | 8 | Roll down | Roll for the last upgrades and finish the board around Azir. |
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
Your 3-star targets are Vi. Level 6 gives the best shop odds for them — use the calculator to see how much gold a 3-star costs.
Rolldown calculator: Vi
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, Taric, and Swain 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 67% of comps of the same board size
- Wins the lobby often (21.1% first places)
- Big power spike once Vi hit 3 stars
- Two damage threats (Azir and Diana ) make itemizing flexible
Weaknesses
- Needs Azir and Diana at high cost, which can be hard to hit
- Falls off hard if someone else is rerolling Vi
Strategic Tips
Economy
Reach 50 gold, then slow roll at level 6 with only the excess until Vi are 3-starred.
Itemization
Build Nashor's Tooth, Jeweled Gauntlet, and Guinsoo's Rageblade 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.
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How to play Defender Azir – FAQ (TFT Set 16)
How do you play Defender Azir?
Defender Azir is a reroll comp: slow roll at level 6 from stage 3-2, keeping 50+ gold and rolling only the excess until Vi reach 3 stars. Corner Azir on the back line and put Taric in front of it. Build Nashor's Tooth, Jeweled Gauntlet, and Guinsoo's Rageblade on Azir.
When should I roll down for Defender Azir?
Defender Azir doesn't do one big roll down. Slow roll at level 6 from stage 3-2, rolling only the gold above 50 until Vi are 3-starred.
What level do you roll for Vi?
Slow roll for Vi at level 6, where its cost tier shows up most often in the shop. At level 6, each shop slot has a 40% chance to be a 2-cost.
Is Defender Azir a reroll comp?
Yes. Defender Azir wants Vi at 3 stars, so slow roll at level 6 with gold above 50 until you hit them.
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, Taric, and Swain 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.