Rise of the Underworlds: Complete Guide to Ekko and the New Card List

The Rise of the Underworlds expansion for Legends of Runeterra introduced one of the most mechanically complex and rewarding champions in the game’s history: Ekko. As the Boy Who Shattered Time, Ekko’s arrival brought the "Predict" mechanic to the forefront of the meta, forcing players to think several moves ahead to manipulate their deck and secure victory. Understanding the new card list associated with his release is essential for any player looking to master the Zaunite archetype. This guide explores the synergies, card lists, and strategic applications of Ekko and his cohort of supporting followers.

The Core Mechanics of Ekko and Predict

Ekko’s core identity revolves around the "Predict" keyword. Predicting allows you to look at three cards from your deck and choose one to put on top. This is not merely a utility tool; it is the engine that drives your entire deck. Ekko benefits from you Predicting multiple times, leveling up once you have seen enough cards or manipulated your deck sufficiently to trigger his level-up condition.

When Ekko is on the board, his ability to "Strike: Create a Chronobreak in hand" becomes a win condition. Chronobreak is a powerful burst-speed spell that revives all allies that died this round and attacks with them. This creates massive swing turns. To effectively utilize Ekko, players must curate their decks with high-impact cards that they can Predict into their hands, ensuring that the Chronobreak payoff is as devastating as possible.

Detailed Card List: Ekko and Zaunite Support

The Rise of the Underworlds expansion introduced several cards specifically designed to make Ekko’s game plan consistent. Below is the essential list of followers and spells that define the Ekko meta.

1. Ekko (Champion)

• Cost: 4 Mana
• Stats: 3/3
• Ability: When summoned or attacking, Predict.
• Level Up: You’ve predicted 5+ times.
• Level 2: When summoned or attacking, Predict. When you strike, create a Chronobreak in hand.

2. Chronobreak (Spell)

• Cost: 4 Mana (Fast)
• Effect: Revive all allies that died this round. Rally.

3. Fallen Feline

• Cost: 2 Mana
• Stats: 2/1
• Effect: When summoned, Predict. If you have another copy of this card in your deck, create a "Hexite Crystal" in your hand.

4. Hexite Crystal

• Cost: 1 Mana (Fast)
• Effect: Deal 2 damage to the enemy Nexus and all enemies.

5. Time Trick

• Cost: 2 Mana (Burst)
• Effect: Predict, then draw 1.

6. Practical Perfectionist

• Cost: 3 Mana
• Stats: 3/3
• Effect: Play: Predict. Choose a card to create 3 copies of in your deck.

7. Counterfeit Copies

• Cost: 1 Mana (Burst)
• Effect: Choose a card in hand and create 3 copies of it in your deck.

Strategic Synergies: Shurima vs. PnZ

While Ekko is a Piltover & Zaun champion, the most effective deck lists for him rely heavily on Shuriman secondary cards. The "Predict" synergy is natively shared between these two regions. By pairing Ekko with Zilean, players can capitalize on the time-manipulation theme. Zilean creates Time Bombs when he levels up, and because Predict allows you to place those bombs strategically, you can create a board state where your opponent is constantly under threat of board wipes.

The Shuriman cards Aspiring Chronomancer and Ancient Preparations are staples in any Ekko list. Aspiring Chronomancer provides a solid early-game body that also triggers the Predict condition, accelerating Ekko’s level-up speed. Ancient Preparations serves as a low-cost landmark that provides board presence and a Predict trigger, making it an essential turn-one play.

Optimizing the Ekko Deck: Deck Building Philosophy

To build a high-win-rate deck featuring the new Rise of the Underworlds cards, you must prioritize "Predict" consistency over raw power. Many players make the mistake of including too many high-cost cards, which clutters the deck and makes it difficult to draw into the cards you have manipulated to the top.

The ideal distribution for an Ekko deck includes:

• Early Game (1-2 Mana): 12-14 cards focused on board presence and initial Predict triggers. These include Ancient Preparations, Fallen Feline, and Time Trick.
• Mid Game (3-4 Mana): This is your core value engine. Ekko, Practical Perfectionist, and Zilean belong here. Use Practical Perfectionist to duplicate cards that interact well with your late game, such as extra copies of Hexite Crystal.
• Late Game (5+ Mana): Focus on finishing moves. While Ekko’s Chronobreak provides a strong finishing blow, you should include at least one or two high-value units or spells to close out the game if your board-revive combo is disrupted.

The Power of the Hexite Crystal Combo

The Hexite Crystal is arguably one of the most underrated tools in the expansion. Because it costs only 1 mana and deals 2 damage to all enemies and the Nexus, it is an incredibly efficient board wipe against aggro decks. The strategy here is to use Fallen Feline early to get the crystal, and then use Practical Perfectionist or Counterfeit Copies to shuffle more copies of the Hexite Crystal into your deck. By doing this, you ensure that your deck remains a threat throughout the entire match, punishing opponents who over-extend onto the board.

Playing Through the Mid-Game: Tempo Management

The mid-game is where Ekko decks either thrive or collapse. Your priority is to keep Ekko alive while maintaining board control. Because Ekko has only 3 health, he is susceptible to removal spells like Mystic Shot or Get Excited. Always hold back mana for defensive spells or "Predict" triggers that can help you find cards to protect him.

If you find yourself behind on the board, do not be afraid to sacrifice units to stall. Because your win condition involves the Chronobreak spell, letting your units die early is actually part of the strategy. A Chronobreak that revives two or three units and grants a Rally can turn a losing board state into a decisive victory in a single turn.

Counters and Weaknesses of the Ekko Archetype

Despite its high skill ceiling, the Ekko archetype is not invincible. The biggest weakness of this deck is its reliance on Predict triggers. If an opponent manages to disrupt your board with heavy control—such as Avalanche or Withering Wail—before you can get your engine running, you may find yourself struggling to find the necessary cards.

Control-heavy decks featuring cards like Deny or Rite of Negation can also shut down your Chronobreak turn. Because Chronobreak is the primary payoff for leveling Ekko, losing that spell can leave you without a reliable finisher. Players must learn to read their opponent’s mana usage. If they are holding up 3-4 mana for a potential negate, consider forcing the issue with smaller, bait plays before committing your Chronobreak.

Advanced Tips for Competitive Play

1. Don’t Over-Predict: Predict is a powerful tool, but it also consumes mana. Ensure you are not sacrificing tempo for the sake of triggering a level-up. Sometimes, playing a unit is better than finding the perfect card.
2. Mulligan Aggressively: In the early game, your mulligan should always favor Fallen Feline and Ancient Preparations. Getting your engine set up on turns 1 and 2 is vital for a strong mid-game.
3. Calculate the Rally: Always remember that Chronobreak provides a Rally. Use this to your advantage by attacking once to force out blockers, then using Chronobreak to revive your board and attack again. This often catches opponents off guard, especially if they believe they have already finished their turn.
4. Value the Draw: Use Time Trick primarily for the card draw when you need to find an answer, and save it for the Predict aspect only when you are digging for a specific win condition.

Final Thoughts on the Rise of the Underworlds Meta

The addition of Ekko and the associated Predict support in Rise of the Underworlds fundamentally shifted the Legends of Runeterra meta toward a more skill-expressive, foresight-driven style of play. Players who invest the time to learn the card list and the nuances of the Predict mechanic will find that Ekko is one of the most rewarding champions to pilot.

Whether you are looking to climb the ladder or dominate in friendly tournaments, mastering the balance between board presence and deck manipulation is the key to victory. The deck list provided is a foundation; experiment with tech cards like Sun Disc or additional protection spells to tailor the list to your specific playstyle. Remember, in the game of Runeterra, time is your greatest weapon—make sure you use it wisely.