Guide · Legend Research series
Annie Deck Guide 2026: Build Data + Standard Decklist
Subject of Legend Research #5 (2026-09-16): the Proving Grounds starter legend — the series' most settled build and the one hurt hardest by the 9/18 banlist. Best result: top 8 of the Summoner Skirmish 1-4 city event (6-1 in Swiss).
Direct answer
Annie is the most settled starter legend: all 14 core cards appear in every one of 9 records, but her 2.8-average Sleight of Hand adoption was the highest of any legend — she was hit hardest by the 9/18 banlist. The standard list replaces it with a full Tidechanger set; runes 6 Fury / 6 Chaos, Zaun Subway 9/9.
Source: research post (2026-09-16) · Data: TopCut HK Hong Kong event deck records
Build data: core cards
- A full fourteen cards at 100% — the series' most settled list: Vigilant Sentry, Traveling Merchant, Tailwind, Flash, Kai'Sa - Survivor, Gale, Sly Mariner, Noxian Allegiant, Dizzy, Darius - Trefilian, Smite, Vi - Destruction, plus Annie - Stubborn
- Within that 100% list, Sleight of Hand averages 2.8 copies — the highest adoption of any legend
- Post-ban standard: the three Sleight slots become a full Tidechanger set plus three 2-cost units
Flex slots and findings
- Only 44% run Tidechanger, but its users average 9.8 points — the deck's highest; likely the post-ban pillar
- After the 9/21 TC banlist took effect, "all nine Annie decks were wiped out" (banlist report headline) — every old list needs a rebuild
- Internationally Annie was also one of Sleight of Hand's biggest users
Runes and battlefields
Runes: 6 Fury / 6 Chaos, no exceptions in 9 records. Battlefields: the series' third 100% in a row — Zaun Subway in all 9; Candlelight Sanctum 6, Wind-Eroded Dune 4.
Sideboard
Blessing in Disguise is the only sideboard card in all 9 lists — literally "the unanimous pick"; the rest is split between Faded Memories and Retreat.
Domain pair
Fury
FuryTempo offense. The most Action and Legion cards in the pool, with Accelerate to deploy units ready. The game plan is to seize battlefields first and force reactions. Above-average Might on a slightly expensive curve — convert resources into pressure every turn.
Chaos
ChaosMobile harassment. The lowest average Might (3.8), but Ganking plus Hidden on a cheap curve — it never fights fair. Reposition constantly, ambush, and stretch the opponent’s defense thin. For players who prefer movement over brawls.
Champion units (2 versions)
Official preconstructed decks
Annie Proving Grounds Deck
List verified — loadable in the deck builder
Matchup notes (data observations)
Derived from our card-pool domain statistics — observations, not win-rate predictions.
CalmAvg Might even (4.3)ReactionActionShieldTankTools in your colors: Hidden / Ganking / Vision / Accelerate / Legion / Reaction
MindAvg Might even (3.9)HiddenReactionActionVisionTools in your colors: Hidden / Ganking / Vision / Accelerate / Legion / Reaction
BodyTheir avg Might is higher (5.1)ActionReactionGankingAccelerateTools in your colors: Hidden / Ganking / Vision / Accelerate / Legion / Reaction
OrderAvg Might even (4)ActionReactionLegionDeathknellTools in your colors: Hidden / Ganking / Vision / Accelerate / Legion / Reaction
Hong Kong data: research and event reports
All posts below were published on TopCut HK; deck data comes from Hong Kong / Traditional-Chinese event archives.
Standard and public decklists
"Standard" lists were built from event data in the research posts; the rest are public decks sorted by likes.
FAQ
Is Annie still playable after the banlist?
Yes, but the list must be rebuilt: her 2.8-average Sleight of Hand adoption made her the hardest-hit legend (banned 9/18, effective 9/21 TC). The research post ships a compliant standard list — full Tidechanger set plus three 2-cost units; link in the "Standard decks" section.
What are Annie's core cards?
Fourteen at 100%: Vigilant Sentry, Traveling Merchant, Tailwind, Flash, Kai'Sa - Survivor, Gale, Sly Mariner, Noxian Allegiant, Dizzy, Darius - Trefilian, Smite, Vi - Destruction plus Annie - Stubborn — the series' most settled list.
Which runes and battlefields?
6 Fury / 6 Chaos, zero exceptions. Zaun Subway is 9/9 (the series' third 100% battlefield in a row); Candlelight Sanctum 6, Wind-Eroded Dune 4.
Any sideboard consensus for Annie?
One card: Blessing in Disguise is in all 9 sideboards. The remaining slots split between Faded Memories and Retreat.
Content updated: 2026-10-13 · Data current as of each cited post. Unofficial fan community — not affiliated with Riot Games; check card numbers against your physical cards.