Vladimir, the Crimson Reaper, is a unique champion in League of Legends. He is known for his vampiric abilities that allow him to sustain himself in battle while dealing significant damage over time. His lore portrays him as a dark figure from the city of Noxus, wielding geomancy to manipulate blood as a weapon and as a means of prolonging his life. When you embark on your journey, mmowow can lend a helping hand when you need help.
Role and Position
Vladimir is typically played in the mid lane or top lane as an AP (Ability Power) mage. His primary role is that of a scaling damage dealer, excelling in extended fights where he can sustain through damage and outlast his opponents.
Abilities Overview
Passive: Crimson Pact
Vladimir gains bonus health and ability power from his items and base stats. Each bonus health gives him ability power and each bonus ability power gives him health, making him both tanky and capable of dealing significant damage.
Q: Transfusion
Vladimir siphons the life force of his target, dealing damage and healing himself. After a few casts, the next Transfusion will become empowered, dealing increased damage and granting additional healing.
W: Sanguine Pool
Vladimir sinks into a pool of blood, becoming untargetable and slowing enemies above him. He deals damage and heals himself based on the damage dealt.
E: Tides of Blood
Vladimir charges up a mass of blood, dealing damage to all enemies around him. He can move while charging and release it to deal more damage, but it also costs him health to use.
R: Hemoplague
Vladimir infects an area with a virulent plague, increasing the damage enemies take for a few seconds and dealing a burst of damage after the duration.
Skill Order and Gameplay Strategy
Skill Order
Max Q (Transfusion) first for consistent damage and sustain.
Max E (Tides of Blood) second for higher burst damage and wave clear.
Max W (Sanguine Pool) last as its utility doesn't scale as significantly with levels.
Put points in R (Hemoplague) whenever available.
Runes
Keystone: Electrocute for burst damage or Phase Rush for mobility and kiting.
Primary Path (Domination):
Cheap Shot or Taste of Blood
Eyeball Collection
Ravenous Hunter
Secondary Path (Sorcery):
Nimbus Cloak for extra mobility
Transcendence or Gathering Storm for scaling
Stat Shards: Adaptive Force, Adaptive Force, Health
Item Build
Starting Items:
Doran's Shield for sustaining or Corrupting Potion for more aggressive trades.
Core Items:
Hextech Rocketbelt for mobility and burst.
Rabadon's Deathcap for increased ability power.
Zhonya's Hourglass for survivability and active stasis.
Situational Items:
Spirit Visage if facing heavy magic damage.
Morellonomicon for healing reduction against enemies.
Void Staff for dealing with high magic resistance opponents.
Warmog's Armor for additional health and sustain in prolonged fights.
Early Game
In the early game, focus on farming and harassing your opponent with Q (Transfusion). Utilize W (Sanguine Pool) defensively to dodge skill shots and avoid ganks. Play safe until you have your first core item, as Vladimir's power spikes significantly with items.
Mid Game
During the mid-game, look for opportunities to join skirmishes and team fights. Use R (Hemoplague) to initiate or during the fight to amplify your team's damage. Aim to hit multiple enemies with your ult. Use E (Tides of Blood) to deal AOE damage, and rely on Q (Transfusion) for sustain.
Late Game
In the late game, Vladimir becomes a powerhouse in team fights. Position yourself to maximize the impact of R (Hemoplague) and follow up with E (Tides of Blood) and Q (Transfusion). Use W (Sanguine Pool) to dodge key abilities and stay alive. Your goal is to disrupt the enemy team while dealing consistent damage and healing.
Team Composition Synergy
Strong Engage Comp
Champions like Malphite, Leona, or Jarvan IV work well with Vladimir due to their ability to initiate fights, allowing Vladimir to follow up with his AOE damage.
Scaling Comp
Pair Vladimir with champions that also scale well into the late game, such as Kayle, Kassadin, or Vayne, creating a team that thrives in prolonged matches.
Personal Carry Comp
Support champions like Lulu, Janna, or Nami can enhance Vladimir’s survivability and damage output, allowing him to become a central figure in team fights.
Combo Guide and Tips
Basic Trade:
Q -> Auto-Attack: Harass and heal in the lane.
All-in Combo:
R -> E (Charge) -> Flash -> Q -> Release E -> W -> Q: Engage with your ultimate, charge E while moving towards the enemy, Flash for positioning, release E, and follow up with Q and W to dodge counter-attacks and heal.
Team Fight:
R -> E (Charge) -> Protobelt -> Release E -> Q -> W -> Q: Initiate with R, charge E, use Protobelt for gap closing, release E for burst, and follow up with Q and W for sustain and additional damage.
Practical Tips
Positioning: Always keep an eye on your positioning. Vladimir is most effective when he can hit multiple enemies with his abilities, especially his ultimate.
Timing: Use W (Sanguine Pool) to dodge crucial enemy abilities and as a form of escape.
Farming: Maintain good CS (Creep Score) to ensure you hit your item power spikes.
Playing Vladimir Against Galio: A Detailed Matchup Guide
Early Game Strategy
Lane Phase (Levels 1-6):
Farming and Sustain:
Focus on farming with your Q (Transfusion). Use it to last-hit minions and sustain through any harassment from Galio. Be cautious of his Q (Winds of War), which can deal significant poke damage if you're not positioned correctly.
Trading:
Avoid extended trades early on, as Gallo's passive (Colossal Smash) and his W (Shield of Durand) make him quite durable. Instead, poke with your Q (Transfusion) and back off. Utilize the empowered Q whenever possible for additional damage and healing.
Dodging Abilities:
Use W (Sanguine Pool) to dodge Galio's E (Justice Punch) or to escape his W (Shield of Durand) taunt if he tries to engage with you.
Mid Game Strategy
Roaming and Objectives:
Waveclear and Roaming:
With points in E (Tides of Blood), you can quickly clear waves. Use this advantage to roam and assist other lanes or secure objectives like Dragons and Rift Herald.
Team Fights:
In team fights, look to flank and use R (Hemoplague) on as many enemies as possible. Follow up with E (Tides of Blood) and Q (Transfusion) to maximize your AOE damage.
Positioning:
Positioning is key. Use W (Sanguine Pool) to avoid crowd control and reposition during fights. You can also use Protobelt to close the gap and get within range of your abilities.
Late Game Strategy
Scaling and Team Fights:
Sustain and Damage:
By the late game, you should have several core items, making you extremely powerful in extended fights. Your sustain from Q (Transfusion) and damage from R (Hemoplague) can turn the tide of battles.
Team Fight Impact:
In late-game team fights, your role is to dive the enemy backline or disrupt the front line with your massive AOE damage. Coordinate with your team to ensure you can hit multiple targets with R (Hemoplague).
Objective Control:
Vladimir's sustained damage and healing make him excellent at taking objectives. Ensure you're present at major objectives like Baron and Elder Dragon.
Team Fight Tactics Against Different Champions
Against Burst Mages (e.g., Syndra, LeBlanc):
Use W (Sanguine Pool) to dodge their burst abilities. Engage after they've used their cooldowns.
Against Bruisers (e.g., Irelia, Jax):
Kite them using Phase Rush or Protobelt. Your sustain will help you win extended trades.
Against Tanks (e.g., Malphite, Ornn):
Focus on hitting multiple targets with R (Hemoplague) and use your sustained damage to wear them down over time.
Why Vladimir is a Popular and Effective Champion?
Scalability:
Vladimir scales exceptionally well with items, making him a late-game powerhouse capable of turning team fights with his high damage and sustain.
Sustain:
His ability to heal through Q (Transfusion) and W (Sanguine Pool) makes him durable in fights, allowing him to outlast many opponents.
AOE Damage:
Vladimir excels in dealing with AOE damage, especially in team fights where he can hit multiple targets with R (Hemoplague) and E (Tides of Blood).
Survivability:
His W (Sanguine Pool) provides untargetability, making him difficult to lock down and kill, while also allowing him to dodge key abilities.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Vladimir
Strengths:
High sustain and healing.
Strong AOE damage.
Excellent scaling into the late game.
Versatile in both solo lanes and team fights.
Can dodge crucial abilities with W (Sanguine Pool).
Weaknesses:
Weak early game with limited kill pressure.
Relatively long cooldowns on key abilities.
Vulnerable to crowd control when W (Sanguine Pool) is on cooldown.
Requires good positioning and timing to maximize effectiveness.
Practical Tips for Playing Vladimir
Always position yourself to hit as many enemies as possible with your abilities. Avoid being caught out of position, as Vladimir is vulnerable to burst damage when his W (Sanguine Pool) is down. However, when some players choose to further explore and become familiar with a certain hero, some players will choose a safe and reliable supplier of cheap lol accounts.
Skill Usage:
Master the timing of W (Sanguine Pool) to dodge critical abilities and stay alive in fights. Use Q (Transfusion) on minions to sustain in lane and look for trades when your Q is empowered.
Farming:
Focus on farming efficiently to reach your item spikes. Vladimir becomes significantly stronger with items, so prioritize CS (Creep Score) over risky trades early on.
Conclusion
Vladimir is a champion that offers a rewarding experience for players who master his mechanics. His combination of high sustain, AOE damage, and scalability makes him a formidable force in the right hands. By understanding his strengths and weaknesses, positioning correctly, and timing your abilities, you can dominate games and become a key player in your team’s success. Remember to adapt your playstyle based on the enemy team composition and always look for opportunities to turn the tide of battle with your impactful abilities.
I hope this guide helps you in your journey to mastering Vladimir and brings you success on the Rift. Good luck, and may your games be filled with crimson victories!
