Mastering the Crimson Reaper: A Comprehensive Guide to Vladimir’s Build

So, you want to bleed your way to victory with Vladimir, the Crimson Reaper? The right build is absolutely crucial to maximizing his potential. In patch 13.21, the optimal build generally consists of Night Harvester, Sorcerer’s Shoes, Rabadon’s Deathcap, Void Staff, and Zhonya’s Hourglass. This build aims to maximize his burst damage, survivability, and penetration capabilities, allowing him to dominate the late game. But, let’s delve deeper into the reasoning behind each item and explore alternative options to adapt to different game scenarios.

Breaking Down the Core Build

Night Harvester: The Burst Engine

Night Harvester is your go-to Mythic item. The damage proc on hitting enemy champions is invaluable for Vladimir, especially during skirmishes and team fights. This burst damage complements his kit, enhancing his ability to quickly eliminate priority targets. The bonus ability haste is also highly desirable, allowing you to cast your crucial spells more frequently.

Sorcerer’s Shoes: Amplifying the Magic

Sorcerer’s Shoes are a non-negotiable purchase. The magic penetration they provide dramatically increases your damage output, especially against squishy targets who lack magic resistance. Consider Ionian Boots of Lucidity if you are behind and want more sustain in lane.

Rabadon’s Deathcap: The AP Amplifier

Rabadon’s Deathcap is where Vladimir’s damage truly starts to spike. This item grants a substantial amount of Ability Power (AP) and, crucially, increases your total AP by a percentage. This makes it an incredibly efficient item for scaling Vladimir’s damage output into the late game, turning him into a terrifying hypercarry.

Void Staff: Bypassing Resistance

As opponents begin to stack magic resistance, Void Staff becomes essential. Its magic penetration allows you to effectively ignore a significant portion of their resistance, ensuring your spells still deal substantial damage. This is critical for dealing consistent damage to tanks and bruisers in team fights.

Zhonya’s Hourglass: The Defensive Staple

Zhonya’s Hourglass is a crucial defensive item for Vladimir. The stasis effect provides invaluable protection against burst damage, allowing you to survive potentially fatal situations and reposition yourself for optimal spellcasting. It’s also excellent for baiting enemies and turning the tides of a fight.

Adaptable Item Choices

While the core build remains relatively consistent, adapting to the specific game situation is paramount.

• Morellonomicon: If the enemy team has significant healing, such as a Soraka or Dr. Mundo, Morellonomicon becomes a must-buy. The Grievous Wounds it applies will significantly reduce their healing, making them much easier to deal with.
• Banshee’s Veil: Against heavy AP compositions or champions with crucial crowd control spells (like a Lux binding or a Veigar cage), Banshee’s Veil can be a lifesaver. The spell shield can prevent you from being locked down and burst down.
• Cosmic Drive: If you are ahead, building Cosmic Drive will give you more move speed, health and ability power, making you very hard to catch.
• Luden’s Tempest: If the enemy team is very squishy, you can trade out Night Harvester for Luden’s Tempest.

Runes and Summoner Spells

Runes

• Primary (Sorcery): Phase Rush provides invaluable mobility, allowing you to quickly reposition in fights, escape ganks, and chase down fleeing enemies. Nimbus Cloak synergizes well with Phase Rush, offering even greater mobility after using your ultimate. Transcendence provides valuable ability haste, allowing you to cast spells more frequently. Gathering Storm scales your AP into the late game, further enhancing your damage output.
• Secondary (Inspiration): Cosmic Insight grants additional ability haste for summoner spells and items, while Magical Footwear provides free boots and a small amount of bonus movement speed.
• Rune Shards: Ability Haste, Adaptive Force, and Armor/Magic Resist (depending on the matchup).

Summoner Spells

• Flash: A must-have for escaping dangerous situations, engaging in fights, and repositioning.
• Teleport/Ignite: Teleport is generally preferred for better map presence and split-pushing capabilities, allowing you to join team fights quickly. Ignite can be taken for more kill pressure in lane, but it’s less versatile than Teleport.

Mastering Vladimir: More Than Just Items

While items are crucial, mastering Vladimir requires more than just buying the right gear. You need to understand his playstyle, his strengths and weaknesses, and how to effectively utilize his abilities.

• Early Game: Focus on farming safely and scaling up. Avoid unnecessary fights and prioritize getting your first item.
• Mid Game: Look for opportunities to roam and help your team, while continuing to farm efficiently.
• Late Game: Become a hypercarry, dominating team fights and single-handedly carrying your team to victory.

FAQs: Your Burning Vladimir Questions Answered

What is Vladimir good at?

Vladimir excels in the late game, becoming incredibly difficult to kill due to his sustain and pool ability. He can deal massive amounts of damage, effectively countering AP mage counters.

What can Vladimir do while sanguine?

While in his Sanguine Pool (W), Vladimir becomes untargetable for 2 seconds, slows enemies above him, deals magic damage, and heals himself.

What type of damage does Vladimir do?

Vladimir primarily deals magic damage with his abilities, including Tides of Blood (E).

What magic does Vladimir use?

Vladimir is a hemomancer, using blood magic to control blood, bones, and flesh.

What is Vlad weakness?

Vladimir’s biggest weakness is his early game, where he is vulnerable and lacks damage.

Why is Vladimir good late game?

Vladimir’s passive grants him a significant amount of bonus health and ability power, making him incredibly tanky and powerful in the late game.

Is Vladimir weak early?

Yes, Vladimir is weak in the early game and should focus on farming and scaling.

Is Briar Vladimir’s daughter?

It’s implied that Vladimir was primarily responsible for Briar’s creation, leading her to see him as somewhat of a “dad.”

Is Vladimir member of the Black Rose?

Yes, Vladimir is a leader of the Black Rose, a hidden power guiding Noxus.

Is Vladimir good in solo queue?

Vladimir is a strong solo queue champion due to his safe laning phase and strong late-game scaling.

How is Vladimir so strong?

Vladimir’s strength comes from his blood magic and ability to scale into a hypercarry in the late game.

Is Vladimir a good main?

Yes, Vladimir is a good champion to main, especially if you enjoy playing a champion that scales into the late game and becomes incredibly difficult to kill.

Who can counter Vladimir?

Swain, Malzahar, Annie, Kassadin, and Naafiri are good counters to Vladimir in the mid lane. Cassiopeia, Gragas, Urgot, Ornn, and Singed are good counters to Vladimir in the top lane.

What is Vladimir combo?

A common Vladimir combo is E > Q > W for trading and E > R > Q > AA > W for one-shotting targets.

How do you play against Vlad in lane?

Bait out his Sanguine Pool (W) and then play aggressively while it’s on cooldown. Avoid standing in the minion wave to prevent him from hitting you with his Tides of Blood (E).

By understanding these build principles and gameplay strategies, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Vladimir and dominating the Rift. Remember that adaptability is key, and always adjust your build and playstyle based on the specific game situation. Happy bleeding!

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