TFT Set 15: How to play Akali Protectors

Overview

If you like watching people get really mad at you, then this is the comp to play. It is one of the most frustrating comps to play around because it forces you to constantly be wary of how the Akali is being positioned or else you are guaranteed to lose the fight. This makes it a bit of a coin flip sometimes, especially in higher ranked lobbies where players are more likely to proactively scout. That said, this comp, perhaps better than any other, fits the set's theme of having an anime protagonist save the day.

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When to Play

Any early AP holder with protector frontlines can be a good opener for this. The most naturally transition is Janna, but Syndra, Ezreal, or Lucian can also effectively hold Akali items in the early game.
You have rods and tears to start the game.
You type "akali" and then instantly deafen yourself.

How to Play

This is a comp that aims to play the strongest possible board early on and rush to level 8 on 4-2 before rolling down. You can punish low roll boards with just a 1-star Akali if you have good items on her.
Guinsoo and Archangel are mandatory on her with the third item being a bit more flexible. Shojin is the best performing item, but Edge of Night and Bloodthirster also work.
You need Crimson Veil Power Up on her unless you have BT, in which case you can aim for Mage or any other damage Power Up.
K'Sante does not need to be built like a carry. It's typically much easier to build him as a tank so he can help stall for longer as opposed to digging for "All-Out" for him.
Akali front row 1 left or 1 right of the middle hex can target the nearest corner.
Avoid upgrading Ryze until you have everything else -- he's expensive and is there for his traits.
You want to follow the standard leveling curve, which you can read more in depth about here.

Stage	Level
2-1	Buy XP to hit Level 4
2-5	Level 5
3-2	Level 6
4-1	Level 7
4-2	Level 8 + Roll until stable*
5-2	Level 9
5-5	Level 9 (if not earlier)
6-1	Level 9 (if neither of previous timings worked)