Pyke
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Excellent (8/10)
High Investment Required
Epic Relics
Pyke is a champion of extremes: he is considered one of the weakest champions at low investment (1-3 stars) but becomes a top-tier powerhouse with high investment (4-6 stars). His 6-star power is widely regarded as 'game-breaking', though some players feel it automates his gameplay to the point of being less engaging.
The Beast of Bilgewater
Essential for Pyke and his deck. It grants Overwhelm to his Lurker units, ensuring that his high-attack board can actually close out games rather than getting chump-blocked. It also provides a board-wide +1|+1 stat boost.
Considered Best-in-Slot by many for its passive stat boost. Since Pyke's Constellations can turn most cards into Lurkers, this relic provides immense value across the entire deck and helps find win conditions.
Protects Pyke from removal. Since Pyke often acts as a passive buffer or a finisher who needs to survive to level up, Spellshield ensures he sticks to the board.
Strategy
This build focuses on maximizing the raw stats and finishing power of the Lurk archetype. Rather than relying on Pyke to clear the board personally, this setup turns every unit in the deck into a massive Overwhelm threat. It is particularly effective at 6 stars, where free unit summons can utilize these stats immediately.
Death From Below
Allows Pyke to be played much earlier, often for 0 mana if the board is wide. The damage taken by allies is negligible compared to the tempo gain and instant level-up potential.
Triggers a strike upon summon. When combined with Pyke's 'Death From Below' spell (which summons him striking an enemy), this results in two strikes immediately, often leveling him up instantly and clearing two units.
Pyke's signature relic grants Challenger and creates a 'Death From Below' in hand on play. While inconsistent in some builds, it pairs perfectly with an active playstyle focused on controlling the board through strikes.
Strategy
An active playstyle focused on leveling Pyke instantly. By reducing his cost with Disciple of Shadows and utilizing Stalker's Blade, Pyke acts as a board wipe on legs. This build is preferred for players who want to actively play the champion rather than rely on passive deck buffs.
Budget Lurker
- The most effective Rare relic for Pyke, converting his summon into removal and advancing his level-up condition.
- A second copy increases the board clear potential and all but guarantees a level-up on summon if Pyke has sufficient power.
A budget alternative to 'The Beast Within', granting Overwhelm to all units to ensure damage pushes through to the Nexus.
Strategy
This build mimics the optimal strategies using only Rare relics. Double Stalker's Blade mimics the board-wipe potential of higher-tier builds, while Troll King's Crown provides the necessary evasion to finish games.
Other Relic Options
Adds copies of Pyke to the deck. Useful for consistency in drawing him and his champion spell, though some players find it clogs the hand with too many high-cost cards.
A strong utility option for fishing for specific powers or items, particularly useful given how reliant Pyke is on specific synergies.
Used in speedrunning strategies to consistently draw 'Jaws of the Beast' for a guaranteed Turn 1 Lurk trigger and free attack.
While 'Deadly Harpoon' is his signature relic, it is considered a 'trap' by many players at high investment levels because it conflicts with the optimal strategy of minimizing spells in the deck.
Constellation
Pyke's constellation is widely considered a 'fix' for a champion that struggles at base. His 1-3 star performance is notoriously inconsistent and luck-dependent. The constellation upgrades are heavily focused on solving the 'Lurk consistency' problem, which some players feel should have been part of his base kit.
Abyssal Might
Lurking grants an extra +0|+1.
Phantom Haul
+1 Starting Mana. Round Start: If you have the attack token, summon an ephemeral Sharkling.
Abyssal Might II
Lurking grants an extra +1|+1.
Lie in Wait
Allies everywhere that cost 3 or less are Lurkers and have Lurk.Review
Considered the 'bare minimum' for a functional Pyke. This power grants Lurk to 4+ cost units (or helps convert drafted units into Lurkers), significantly reducing the chances of 'whiffing' a Lurk trigger. Without this, Pyke is often described as unplayable in harder content.
Manaflow
Game Start: Get a mana gem.
Death From Everywhere
Your spells everywhere have Lurk. When a card Lurks, if it's a follower, summon it attacking; otherwise, draw it.Review
A massive power spike that changes his playstyle. It allows spells to gain Lurk and summons units from the deck attacking. This effectively automates the deck, often winning games without Pyke ever needing to be played. While undeniable in power—often called 'autowin'—some players find it makes the gameplay passive and boring.
Gameplay Tips
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Aggressive Deck Thinning: Pyke's entire gameplan revolves on the Lurk keyword. You must aggressively cut non-Lurk cards (spells and non-Lurk units) from your deck at healers and shops. A single non-Lurk card on top of your deck can lose you the game by breaking your scaling chain.
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Support Champion Selection: When drafting a support champion, prioritize those that do not add spells to your deck, or choose champions with high-stat units that can benefit from global Lurk buffs (if you have the 4-star power). Rek'Sai is the ideal partner due to innate synergy.
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Mulligan Strategy: Always mulligan for cheap Lurk activators or 'Bone Skewer' to ensure you can trigger Lurk on Turn 1. If you miss Lurk on the first turn, you fall significantly behind the power curve.
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The Switcheroo Trap: Pyke is exceptionally weak in the 'Switcheroo' adventure because his Lurk buffs do not transfer to the player when decks are swapped, but the enemy AI can utilize your Lurk deck against you. Avoid this adventure if possible.
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Attack Order: Always attack with Pyke (or your strongest Lurker) in the position that maximizes global buffs. If you have Pyke's level-up ready, position him to strike enemies that will die, allowing him to wipe the board via his 'Death From Below' chain reaction.