When and How to play Lux in Set 18

Hi im TFTtomus im Challenger EUNE/EUW server

Ever since Set 2, I have been striving to share as much knowledge as possible—both through my broadcast channels and in video format on YouTube.

WHEN PLAY LUX?

How to Play Lux in Different Compositions

The answer is simple: you can play Lux in almost any composition. The only real exception is Coven Lux, which is a special case. When you find her naturally at Level 7 or 8, you can use her to extend your Coven cashout and get additional value from the trait.

At Level 9, the best Lux to play depends on which version you hit and what your current board needs. This is also somewhat meta-dependent, as some Lux variants are much stronger than others.

Currently, Fae Lux is one of the strongest options because her trait allows you to activate 4 Fae relatively easily. You can use her as a secondary carry, add Lillia to your frontline and build around units such as Alune. This is just one example of how you can adapt your board around the Lux you find.

If you're playing Elderwood, for example, you should naturally look for Elderwood Lux to help activate 7 or 9 Elderwood, depending on whether you have an Emblem. However, this doesn't mean that other versions of Lux, such as Lunar, Inferno or Primal, cannot fit into Elderwood or completely different compositions.

These are what I would call utility traits. By adding Lux and activating her secondary trait, you can provide additional benefits to your entire team without necessarily changing your main composition.

Primal Lux is a particularly good example. Lux herself is not a strong enough main carry in this version, so when using her for the Primal trait in another composition, you should prioritize the green Primal effect, which provides healing for your entire board.

Inferno Lux is another useful option because she strengthens your team's burn effect, providing additional value even when Lux isn't your main damage dealer.

The only Lux variants I would generally avoid forcing into completely unrelated compositions are Blackthorn and Blossom, as they don't offer the same flexibility as the other options.

The main idea is to adapt Lux to your current board. Don't focus only on her individual strength or try to force a specific version. Look at which trait benefits your composition the most, what units you already have, and which Lux variant gives you the strongest overall board.

Sacrificing a strong unit for buffs when Blackhorn Lux is on the board is also almost always a very good play.

Solar Lux

Solar Lux is mainly played in two situations. The first is when you have several 3-star units on your board. The more 3-star champions you have, the more damage amplification she provides to your entire team, making her a strong addition to boards built around multiple 3-star units.

The second option is playing her in the Eclipse tempo composition. This comp focuses on reaching level 8, where you play Aphelios as your main carry and Amumu as your main tank. You activate Eclipse with 3 Lunar units and 3 Solar units. Solar Lux provides an additional 20% damage bonus to your team, making her a valuable unit for this setup.

She can also replace units such as Sejuani or Leona in that spot, allowing you to fit her into the board without having to make major changes to your composition.

Pandora's Bench – Finding the Right Lux

One augment worth mentioning is Pandora's Bench. It can be extremely useful when you're looking for a specific Lux variant because it transforms units on your bench into other units of the same cost.

For example, if you have several 5-cost units, such as Taric and other legendary champions, you can leave them on your bench and let Pandora's Bench cycle them into different 5-cost units. This gives you additional chances to find the exact Lux variant you're looking for.

There is also an important interaction to remember: Lux variants are only locked when you already have that specific Lux on your bench. For example, if you want to find Blossom Lux, you should avoid holding another Blossom Lux on your bench, as this prevents you from rolling another copy of that variant.

With Pandora's Bench, you can take advantage of this by holding 3–5-cost units on your bench while rolling at Level 8 or Level 9. This gives you additional opportunities to find the Lux you need without relying entirely on shop RNG.

Ideally, keep around three units on your bench to maximize the number of transformations you get each round. This can make a big difference when you're trying to find a specific Lux to complete or improve your composition.

Prismatic Traits

When aiming for Prismatic traits such as 9 Elderwood or 11 Blossom, you need to find a specific Lux variant that allows you to activate the trait. These compositions are usually very difficult to force and are often heavily contested. They typically require two Emblems, reaching level 9 or 10, meeting additional conditions, and sometimes having the right Augments. Most importantly, you usually need a massive win streak to build enough economy and HP to reach the required level.

Because of this, I wouldn't focus too much on forcing maximum trait breakpoints through Lux. However, it's still worth keeping this possibility in mind when the game gives you the right setup.

WHICH ITEMS TO BUILD ON LUX

Lux can use a wide variety of items, but the most important ones are mana-generation items. Her best options include Adaptive Helm, Blue Buff and Spear of Shojin. Honestly, all three are strong on her, so you should use whichever one fits your available components rather than forcing a specific build.

For her remaining slots, prioritize utility items. Currently, Morellonomicon and Void Staff are among the best options, as they provide valuable effects for your entire team.

I'm basing these recommendations on Patch 18.5c. At the moment, I wouldn't recommend building traditional AP carry items on Lux, such as Rabadon's Deathcap, Jeweled Gauntlet, Hextech Gunblade or Archangel's Staff. She simply doesn't get enough value from being itemized as your main carry right now.

Of course, if you have excess AP components, you can still build these items depending on your composition. For example, if you're playing Lux in an AD-focused board, giving her additional AP items can make sense. However, if you're playing her alongside a stronger AP carry such as Alune, you should prioritize giving those main carry items to Alune instead. Lux should focus on providing utility and supporting the rest of your team rather than taking resources away from your primary damage dealer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Don't automatically sell your 2-star 4-cost carry just because you found a 1-star Lux. Your upgraded carry may still be much stronger.

2. Don't roll down 50 gold just to find a specific Lux variant. It's rarely worth sacrificing your economy for it.

3. Scout your opponents' boards. Different Lux variants share a limited unit pool, so contesting can make it harder to find the one you need.

4. Position Lux on the opposite side of the board from your opponent's main carry, allowing her laser to hit as many enemy units as possible.

5. If you're playing Lux as your main carry, prioritize the right composition and itemization rather than simply forcing a 5-cost unit onto your board.