How to Play Defender Ekko
A stage-by-stage plan for Defender Ekko: opener, when to level and roll for Ekko, and where to position the board.
- Tier
- B
- Top 4 rate
- 52.4%
- Avg place
- 4.05
- 1st place
- 4.8%
- Playstyle
- 2-cost reroll
- Games
- 21
How to level and roll with Defender Ekko
2-cost rerollDefender Ekko is a reroll comp: slow roll at level 6 from stage 3-2, keeping 50+ gold and rolling only the excess until Ekko, Neeko, and 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 Ekko, Neeko, and Vi hit 3 stars. |
| 3-5 | 6 | Slow roll | Stay at level 6: roll only the gold above 50 each round until Ekko, Neeko, and 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 Ekko. |
Defender Ekko early game and opener
We don't have enough early-board data for Defender Ekko yet. Play your strongest pairs early and hold units that share traits with Ekko.
Rolling odds for Defender Ekko
Your 3-star targets are Ekko, Neeko, and Vi. Level 6 gives the best shop odds for them — use the calculator to see how much gold a 3-star costs.
Rolldown calculator: Ekko
Pre-set to this comp's roll level. Change copies owned, copies other players hold and your gold.
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Defender Ekko positioning
A starting board for Defender Ekko. 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 Seraphine on the back line and put Singed in front of it.
- Singed, Nidalee , 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 Ekko
Strengths
- Average place better than 69% of comps of the same board size
- Big power spike once Ekko, Neeko, and Vi hit 3 stars
- Two damage threats (Ekko and Vi) make itemizing flexible
- Rarely played, so its units are usually free
Weaknesses
- Falls off hard if someone else is rerolling Ekko, Neeko, and Vi
Strategic Tips
Economy
Reach 50 gold, then slow roll at level 6 with only the excess until Ekko, Neeko, and Vi are 3-starred.
Itemization
Build Titan's Resolve, Guinsoo's Rageblade, and Bloodthirster on Ekko.
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 Ekko.
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How to play Defender Ekko – FAQ (TFT Set 16)
How do you play Defender Ekko?
Defender Ekko is a reroll comp: slow roll at level 6 from stage 3-2, keeping 50+ gold and rolling only the excess until Ekko, Neeko, and Vi reach 3 stars. Corner Seraphine on the back line and put Singed in front of it. Build Titan's Resolve, Guinsoo's Rageblade, and Bloodthirster on Ekko.
When should I roll down for Defender Ekko?
Defender Ekko doesn't do one big roll down. Slow roll at level 6 from stage 3-2, rolling only the gold above 50 until Ekko, Neeko, and Vi are 3-starred.
What level do you roll for Ekko?
Slow roll for Ekko 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 Ekko a reroll comp?
Yes. Defender Ekko wants Ekko, Neeko, and Vi at 3 stars, so slow roll at level 6 with gold above 50 until you hit them.
How do you position Defender Ekko?
Corner Seraphine on the back line and put Singed in front of it. Singed, Nidalee , 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 Ekko?
Defender Ekko has no fixed opener: play your strongest early pairs, keep HP high and hold units that share traits with Ekko.