VERTICAL STAR GUARDIAN Patch 25.15

Catalysts:
(Catalysts are an in-game event that should signal you that it may be a good idea to play this comp. Typically, one catalyst is enough but the more the better).
- Syndras early game, especially with Heart of Gold or Rising Chaos power-up
- Early Ahri
- Lots of early Star Guardians

Pyrrhic Openers:
(Pyrrhic Openers (or "pyrrhics" for short) are openers that comes at such a great cost that it's essentially as bad as a defeat. Despite having some catalysts that enable the comp, you are better off playing something else).
- You're contested
- Lots of Sorcerer + All Out K'sante players in the lobby (Both Ahri and Neeko get contested by these comps)

Power-Up Strategy:
- Rising Chaos or Heart of Gold on Syndra early. Transition fruit to Ahri 2* until you have a 2* Jinx with 3 items.
- Mage power-up or Star Sailor are both great on Ahri, but any general combat is good
- Star Sailor Jinx with Star Sailor Poppy is great. Any generic combat is great on Jinx as well, nothing in particular stands out.

General Tips
- Always play 8 Star Guardian
- Emblem +1 makes the game a lot easier to play
- Don't be afraid to slam AP items. Ahri 2* on Stage 4 is decently stable, but you do want to end with Jinx primary.
- Shojin and Striker's are great slams because you can use these on anyone, and eventually transfer them to Jinx
- Unstoppable Poppy is very strong, position her to dash towards your enemies' carries. This is also why Gargoyle's is so strong on her
- Play Swain or Kobuko if you don't have Seraphine yet. Swain > Kobuko if you're playing around Ahri, and Kobuko > Swain if you're playing around Jinx. Ideally, it's Kobuko on the endgame board.
- You can cap out with Varus + Braum, although it's very far. Ahri 3* is also a common win condition players look for after hitting the whole board 2* first.

Gameplan (Level 8 Standard):
Do you best to make econ thresholds while building a strong board, but make sure to level to maintain tempo with the rest of the lobby. (Tempo = The average strength of a board in the lobby). 

Try to follow standard interval timings when possible. Standard intervals are the 1st, 2nd, and 5th round of every stage.
Generally, you want to be:
- Level 4 on 2-1
- Making 10+ gold by 2-2
- Level 5 on 2-5
- Making 20+ gold by the end of 2-6
- Level 6 on 3-2 with 40+ gold
- Level 7 on 3-5 with 30+ gold
- Level 8 on 4-2

These numbers will change often based on how many or how few resources are in your specific game, and how the lobby tempo plays out. But generally, this is what you can expect in an average game of TFT. When economically ahead, you can consider "skipping" intervals, and when you're economically behind, you may need to wait for the next standard interval before spending money.