Ivern Zoo + Guide/Matchups

https://piltoverarchive.com/decks/view/f6dc963f-a611-4cc6-916a-847dc9bce426

Battlefields work a little different in Ivern than other decks, as what battlefields you run when change into each matchup. More will be discussed in the matchups section, however as a general rule of thumb, vilemaw is a decent g1 into most matchups, as your other games you want to force your op onto the worse battlefield for them on your going first game (EX putting Vex onto vaults when you go first, LB onto rockfall, etc) My biggest note is that the BF doesn't always need to stay a brush, sometimes you prefer the BF under it, consider your situation and what benefits you more

Sideboarding

When do I side in what?

Rake - Aroura, Irelia, Azir, Heart of dark ice decks, Hook, anything with big scary gear

Vengeance - Any decks with a big scary needs removed target, ex Hwei, Karthus, Elder, Irelia, etc

GS - Anything that may try to outmight you / other hold decks. Big extra edge into stuff like vex, rengar, etc

Flurry - Same time you would side in a windwall, so arise, timewarp, GS, etc. It is also good sided into decks like rengar irelia etc where you just want the suprise defense 8 might

Vilemaw - Token decks, LB, wide decks, etc

Yellowvern - Side for CC going second (unless into aroura, then side into mainboard both side games) Also a good replacement for vilemaw into decks that you dont want the mainboard vilemaw, as yellowvern is just a big unit outside of singularity range

What do I side out?

Going second: You can side out a maximum of 4 two drops, preferably only like 2 tho

Going first: Vi, one ED, 3 drops (Pigeons)

Matchup dependent sideouts

LB: Can side out up to 2 defy (only thing we ever really need to defy is HB, otherwise they don't run many defy-able spells)

Vex: Ambush units

Aroura: Discipline (they will almost always outmight you anyway)

Diana: GS

FAQ

Q: Why so many 2 drops?

A: Missing your t1 feels nasty

Q: I don't want to buy vilemaw! What do I replace it with?

A: Blitzcrank, yuumi, vi

Q: When to use yellowvern? Isn't he just a gimmick champ unit?

A: Yellowvern is the goat, you just have to learn to play around him. He is so clutch for being able to back out and conq 6-8, point pressure into other hold decks, etc. very good t2 game

Q: I don't like _ card in the deck! What do I do?

A: Change it to something that better suits your playstyle! This list is just what works best for me, and I choose to share it with the world in hopes more people will pickup ivern, this list isn't an end all be all, just what works for me

Q: Why yellow Vi?

A: Getting pushed off a hold in this deck is difficult, and yellow vi provides a great option for reconq that doesn't have to sack a unit like stalking wolf

Have a question? DM me, my username is io1375 on discord (I'm also active in the Ivern channel of the Riftbound community discord)