How to Play Defender Leona
A stage-by-stage plan for Defender Leona: opener, when to level and roll for Leona, and where to position the board.
- Tier
- A
- Top 4 rate
- 97.1%
- Avg place
- 2.06
- 1st place
- 29.4%
- Playstyle
- 3-cost reroll
- Games
- 34
How to level and roll with Defender Leona
3-cost rerollDefender Leona is a reroll comp: slow roll at level 7 from stage 4-1, keeping 50+ gold and rolling only the excess until Leona, Zoe, and Malzahar reach 3 stars. At level 7, each shop slot has a 40% chance to be a 3-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. |
| 4-1 | 7 | Slow roll | Stay at level 7: roll only the gold above 50 each round until Leona, Zoe, and Malzahar hit 3 stars. |
| 4-2 | 7 | Slow roll | Stay at level 7: roll only the gold above 50 each round until Leona, Zoe, and Malzahar hit 3 stars. |
| 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 Leona. |
Defender Leona early game and opener
We don't have enough early-board data for Defender Leona yet. Play your strongest pairs early and hold units that share traits with Leona.
Rolling odds for Defender Leona
Your 3-star targets are Leona, Zoe, and Malzahar. Level 7 gives the best shop odds for them — use the calculator to see how much gold a 3-star costs.
Rolldown calculator: Leona
Pre-set to this comp's roll level. Change copies owned, copies other players hold and your gold.
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Defender Leona positioning
A starting board for Defender Leona. 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 Taric in front of it.
- Split Seraphine and Zoe across the back line so a single area spell can't hit both.
- Taric, Skarner , and Leona 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 Leona
Strengths
- Average place better than 98% of comps of the same board size
- Wins the lobby often (29.4% first places)
- Big power spike once Leona, Zoe, and Malzahar hit 3 stars
- Two damage threats (Leona and Malzahar) make itemizing flexible
Weaknesses
- Falls off hard if someone else is rerolling Leona, Zoe, and Malzahar
Strategic Tips
Economy
Reach 50 gold, then slow roll at level 7 with only the excess until Leona, Zoe, and Malzahar are 3-starred.
Itemization
Build Dragon's Claw, Gargoyle Stoneplate, and Spirit Visage on Leona.
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 Leona.
Get the Winning Edge
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How to play Defender Leona – FAQ (TFT Set 16)
How do you play Defender Leona?
Defender Leona is a reroll comp: slow roll at level 7 from stage 4-1, keeping 50+ gold and rolling only the excess until Leona, Zoe, and Malzahar reach 3 stars. Corner Seraphine on the back line and put Taric in front of it. Build Dragon's Claw, Gargoyle Stoneplate, and Spirit Visage on Leona.
When should I roll down for Defender Leona?
Defender Leona doesn't do one big roll down. Slow roll at level 7 from stage 4-1, rolling only the gold above 50 until Leona, Zoe, and Malzahar are 3-starred.
What level do you roll for Leona?
Slow roll for Leona at level 7, where its cost tier shows up most often in the shop. At level 7, each shop slot has a 40% chance to be a 3-cost.
Is Defender Leona a reroll comp?
Yes. Defender Leona wants Leona, Zoe, and Malzahar at 3 stars, so slow roll at level 7 with gold above 50 until you hit them.
How do you position Defender Leona?
Corner Seraphine on the back line and put Taric in front of it. Split Seraphine and Zoe across the back line so a single area spell can't hit both. Taric, Skarner , and Leona 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 Leona?
Defender Leona has no fixed opener: play your strongest early pairs, keep HP high and hold units that share traits with Leona.