Tactical Reality
You will be shoved under tower; your goal is to maintain high HP and prevent a massive CS deficit while waiting for jungle intervention or a mistake.
Win Condition
Surviving the laning phase without giving up more than 2 plates, then utilizing Bard's roaming and Tempered Fate to catch the immobile enemy backline.
Lose Condition
Getting poked down below 40% HP early, leading to a dive or losing the tower before 10 minutes.
Respect the level 2 spike: Lux Q + Caitlyn Headshot is 50% of your HP.
Don't leave Ezreal alone if the wave is pushing away from him.
Save R to interrupt the Lux/Caitlyn ultimate combo.
Watch out for traps hidden behind the tower model.
Timeline Sequence
LVL 1
- Assist Ezreal in hitting the wave to delay the level 2 crash.
- Stand outside the minion wave to force Lux to choose between poking you or pushing the lane.
- Do not take a Lux E for free; if she misses, posture aggressively to threaten a Q.
LVL 2
- Caitlyn/Lux will hit level 2 first; retreat immediately to avoid the binding-trap combo.
- Stay near the tower but outside of trap range.
- Set up W Shrines behind the tower for Ezreal's sustain.
LVL 3
- Keep 3 W Shrines active at all times to mitigate poke damage.
- Only roam for chimes if the wave is reset or fully crashed and Ezreal has E available.
- Look for Q stuns on Caitlyn if she moves into tower range to harass.
LVL 6
- Use Tempered Fate (R) to cancel Lux's Final Spark or to freeze Caitlyn if she channels Ace in the Hole.
- An aggressive R on the immobile Lux is a guaranteed kill if your jungler is nearby.
- Do not use R if Ezreal is mid-E; you will likely grief his escape.
FIRST RECALL
- Timing: Ideally at 1100g for Boots of Swiftness to dodge skillshots or Ionian Boots for more W uptime.
- Ezreal needs Tear/Sheen; ensure the wave is crashed or frozen before backing.
- Buy 2 Control Wards to clear Lux's deep vision in the river.
OBJECTIVE: DRAGON
- You will likely not have priority; do not contest unless your Jungler is significantly ahead.
- Prioritize defending the bot tower over a 50/50 dragon flip.
- Use E (Magical Journey) to facilitate a safe escape if the enemy collapses during a contest.
MID GAME ROTATION
- Move to mid lane with Ezreal to stop the Caitlyn siege.
- Use Bard's chimes to maintain a gold/XP lead while rotating between lanes.
- Look for long-range R picks on Lux to start 5v4 engagements.
LATE GAME
- Focus on peeling for Ezreal; your Q stun and R are his only protection against dives.
- Vision is critical; do not get caught in the jungle while collecting chimes.
- Use R to stop enemy Baron/Dragon attempts if your jungler is dead.
Threat Analysis
Enemy Intent
They want to shove you under tower, place traps at your feet, and poke you until you are forced to recall so they can take plates.
Power Spike
Levels 1-5 and after Caitlyn completes her first lethality/crit item.
Counter-Strategy
Avoid standing in the wave (prevents Lux from double-tasking), keep HP high with W, and punish Lux when her Q is on cooldown.
Loadout Optimization
Rune Logic
Guardian for the shield against burst combos; Font of Life to give Ezreal sustain when you land Q.
Skill Priority
Max Q for damage/stun duration, but put 2-3 early points in W to handle the heavy poke from Cait/Lux.
Itemization Path
Locket of the Iron Solari is mandatory to survive the Lux burst combo and Caitlyn's ultimate.