Vlad is a formidable champion in League of Legends, renowned for his unparalleled sustain and burst damage potential. His unique combination of abilities allows him to outlast opponents in extended fights while simultaneously dishing out devastating blows. With the right build, Vlad can become an unstoppable force on the battlefield, capable of carrying teams to victory. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the best Vlad builds, empowering you to unleash his full potential and dominate your opponents.
When crafting the ideal Vlad build, several key items come to mind. First and foremost, the Sanguine Blade is an essential purchase. This item provides Vlad with unparalleled lifesteal, allowing him to sustain himself through even the most intense skirmishes. Next, the Cosmic Drive is another crucial item, as it grants Vlad bonus ability haste, movement speed, and health. This combination of stats enhances Vlad’s mobility, enabling him to chase down enemies and dodge incoming attacks. Finally, the Rabadon’s Deathcap is a core item for maximizing Vlad’s burst damage. It provides an immense boost to his ability power, allowing his ultimate, Hemoplague, to deal devastating blows to enemy champions.
Beyond these core items, several other options can further enhance Vlad’s effectiveness. The Zhonya’s Hourglass grants Vlad invaluable survivability by providing a stasis effect that renders him immune to damage. This item allows Vlad to mitigate burst damage and survive long enough to unleash his full combo. Additionally, the Void Staff is a valuable purchase against teams with high magic resistance. It reduces enemy magic resistance, enabling Vlad’s abilities to deal maximum damage. Lastly, the Mejai’s Soulstealer is a high-risk, high-reward item that can exponentially increase Vlad’s damage potential when paired with his ability to stack Soul Fragments. However, it comes with the risk of losing all stacks upon dying, so it should be used cautiously.
Synergistic Team Composition Strategies
To maximize Vlad’s effectiveness, consider the following team composition strategies:
Synergistic Champions:
| Champion | Synergy |
|---|---|
| Amumu | Amumu’s crowd control (Q, R) amplifies Vlad’s damage output by allowing him to stick to targets and proc Sanguine Pool. |
| Orianna | Orianna’s displacement (W, E) and protection (R) provide Vlad with both offensive and defensive utility, setting up kills and mitigating damage. |
| Nami | Nami’s crowd control (Q, E) and healing (W) enhance Vlad’s survivability and engage potential, enabling him to stay in the fight longer. |
| Kalista | Kalista’s mobility (E) and kiting potential grant Vlad additional peel and chase power, allowing him to kite enemies while dealing sustained damage. |
| Ivern | Ivern’s crowd control (Q, E) and shields (W) provide Vlad with valuable initiation and survivability, increasing his overall teamfight presence. |
Tank Champions:
Strong tanks can protect Vlad and absorb damage, creating space for him to deal damage freely. Good choices include:
| Champion |
|---|
| Maokai |
| Shen |
| Ornn |
Champions with Healing and Shielding:
Champions with healing or shielding abilities can sustain Vlad and mitigate damage, allowing him to stay in the fight for longer. Consider:
| Champion |
|---|
| Soraka |
| Lulu |
| Janna |
Countering Vlad: Strategies for Effective Neutralization
Vlad is a powerful lane bully with excellent sustain and burst damage. Countering him requires a combination of champion selection, itemization, and strategic gameplay.
Champion Selection
Champions with strong burst damage and crowd control are effective against Vlad. Consider champions like Zed, Fizz, or Talon, who can quickly eliminate him before he can sustain himself. Alternatively, champions with reliable crowd control, such as Morgana or Leona, can interrupt his ultimate and prevent him from dealing significant damage.
Itemization
Items that reduce Vlad’s sustain and mobility are crucial. Executioner’s Calling or Mortal Reminder will reduce the healing from his Transfusion, while items like Zhonya’s Hourglass or Banshee’s Veil will protect you from his ultimate. Additionally, items that grant mobility, such as Protobelt or Quicksilver Sash, can help you dodge his Glacial Augment or Shadow Dash.
Strategic Gameplay
In lane, avoid extended trades and focus on short bursts of damage. Prioritize last-hitting minions rather than attacking Vlad, as he has excellent wave clear. When he engages with his Crimson Rush, use crowd control to interrupt him before he can deal significant damage.
Teamfighting
In team fights, focus on isolating Vlad and hitting him with crowd control to prevent him from using his ultimate effectively. Avoid standing near multiple enemies as his Sanguine Pool deals area damage and heals him. Additionally, consider targeting his team’s carry before focusing on Vlad, as he will prioritize healing his allies first. The following table summarizes key strategies for countering Vlad:
| Strategy | Effect |
|---|---|
| Champion Selection: Burst Damage/Crowd Control | Eliminate Vlad quickly or interrupt his abilities |
| Itemization: Sustain Reduction/Mobility | Reduce Vlad’s healing and make it easier to escape |
| Strategic Gameplay: Short Bursts/Crowd Control | Avoid extended trades and interrupt Vlad’s ultimate |
| Teamfighting: Isolation/Crowd Control | Focus on eliminating Vlad while preventing him from healing his allies |
Advanced Techniques for Mastery
Pool Play Dominance
In the early game, Vlad excels at dominating his lane opponent by utilizing his Blood Transfusion ability. Timing your Q to hit enemy champions while they’re last hitting minions can significantly harass them and eventually force them out of lane. By constantly zoning your opponent, you deny them valuable gold and experience, giving you a significant advantage in the mid-late game.
Wave Management Perfection
Vlad benefits greatly from controlling the minion wave. By freezing the wave near your tower, you can farm safely while denying your opponent any minion gold. Alternatively, pushing the wave can create opportunities for roams or jungle ganks. Use your E ability, Tides of Blood, to clear waves quickly and establish map control.
Itemization Prowess
Choosing the right items for Vlad is crucial for maximizing his effectiveness. Core items like Liandry’s Anguish and Cosmic Drive provide essential stats and amplify his damage through ability power and movement speed. Situational items like Zhonya’s Hourglass or Banshee’s Veil enhance his survivability and utility in team fights.
Ultimate Execution
Vlad’s ultimate ability, Hemoplague, is a game-changing skill that needs to be executed with precision. Use it wisely to amplify your team’s damage or secure crucial kills. Position yourself correctly and time your ultimate to maximize its area of effect, effectively turning team fights in your favor.
Map Awareness and Teleport Optimization
Vlad’s global presence becomes a significant factor in the mid-late game. With Teleport, he can quickly respond to team fights or split push lanes. Keep an eye on the minimap, identify potential gank opportunities, and use Teleport strategically to pressure multiple lanes simultaneously. By maximizing his map awareness and Teleport usage, Vlad becomes a constant threat to the enemy team.
Itemization Updates
Vlad has been seeing some itemization updates in recent patches, with a focus on increasing his survivability and damage output. The most notable change is the addition of [item name] to his core build, which provides him with a significant amount of healing and mana sustain. Additionally, players have been opting for more tanky items, such as [item name] and [item name], to increase Vlad’s durability in team fights.
Meta Analysis
Vlad remains a strong pick in the current meta, as his ability to sustain damage and deal consistent damage make him a valuable asset to any team. However, he can struggle against champions with high burst damage or crowd control, so it is important to play carefully when facing these opponents. Additionally, Vlad is a relatively immobile champion, so it is important to position yourself carefully in team fights to avoid getting caught out of position.
Vlad Counters
Vlad has a few key counters in the current meta, including champions with high burst damage, such as [champion name] and [champion name], and champions with crowd control, such as [champion name] and [champion name]. Additionally, Vlad can struggle against champions that can kite him, such as [champion name] and [champion name].
Vlad Synergy
Vlad synergizes well with champions that can provide him with peel and crowd control, such as [champion name] and [champion name]. Additionally, Vlad can benefit from champions that can provide him with additional healing or damage output, such as [champion name] and [champion name].
Vlad Itemization
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| [item name] | Provides Vlad with a significant amount of healing and mana sustain. |
| [item name] | Increases Vlad’s durability in team fights. |
| [item name] | Increases Vlad’s damage output. |
Best Vlad Builds for Maximum Dominance
Vlad, the Crimson Reaper, is a formidable champion in League of Legends, renowned for his potent lifesteal, sustained damage, and teamfight presence. With various viable builds available, the optimal Vlad build is determined by the team composition and the player’s playstyle.
Core Items
**Night Harvester**: This mythic item provides Vlad with much-needed ability haste, allowing him to cast his spells more frequently. Its increased damage on abilities synergizes well with his high base damage.
**Cosmic Drive**: This item amplifies Vlad’s mobility, enabling him to swiftly evade enemies or initiate fights. Moreover, it grants additional health, which strengthens his durability.
**Deathcap**: This legendary item dramatically increases Vlad’s ability power, significantly boosting his damage output. It synergizes well with his vampirism, allowing him to sustain himself even in prolonged fights.
Situational Items
**Zhonya’s Hourglass:** This defensive item grants Vlad a brief invulnerability, allowing him to escape perilous situations or cast his ultimate without interruption.
**Spirit Visage:** Against magic-heavy compositions, this item provides Vlad with substantial magic resistance, bolstering his survivability.
**Thornmail:** When facing teams with high auto-attack damage, this item reflects damage, discouraging enemy melee champions from targeting Vlad.
Runes and Summoner Spells
**Runes:** Conqueror, Triumph, Tenacity, Coup de Grace, Taste of Blood, Ravenous Hunter
**Summoner Spells:** Teleport, Flash
People Also Ask
What is the best tank build for Vlad?
Vlad does not typically build tank items, as his survivability is primarily based on lifesteal. Building tank items can compromise his damage output.
Do I need to max Q first on Vlad?
Yes, prioritizing Q first is crucial for Vlad. It is his primary damage ability and provides significant cooldown reduction at later ranks.
