Vladimir

Overview

Vladimir is one of the best scaling champions in the game, and if you’re able to play him into one of those situations where everyone is capped and on a full build, you’ll see that he has great 1v5 potential when it comes to damage. This is combined with a kit of abilities that can make it feel like he’s impossible to kill. Click here for the latest data on his best builds, including Runes, Items, Summoner Spells, and more. 

Keys to Remember About Vladimir

1. Because of the delayed damage on Hemoplague [R], one of the tricks to mastering Vladimir is knowing when you've done enough damage to be able to back out. Don't overcommit for kills you've already secured!

2. Vlad kind of has to run at the enemy team to get anything done because he lacks mobility, and the best way to do that is to approach from a flank -- always be try to exploit holes in enemy vision to your advantage. Landing Hemoplague [R] onto multiple key members will instantly win you the fight late game.

Strengths

As long as you’re able to get to late game and remain on par or ahead of the enemy team, there are very few champions that will be able to dish out as much damage in a fight as you. A big Hemoplague [R] can set up Tides of Blood [E] and just delete enemy teams, who will also be forced into a state of panic as they try to scatter from you. If you’re able to find a flank onto the enemy backline, the fight is as good as over because you only need to land on rotation of abilities to finish off a key target, and then you can disappear thanks to Sanguine Pool [W]. Teams that can’t deal with his healing are going to have a nightmarish time. 

Weaknesses

He’s weak early and will remain fairly weak for a while. Even though he’s self-sufficient in lane thanks to his ability to heal off of Transfusion [Q], he’s not going to have much kill pressure without a jungler who can lock down an opponent. He’s also reliant on his W to get out of tight situations, so as long as that is down, you can lock him down and burst him as he must be in the thick of the action to find value.

Game Plan 

1. Early Game: Just farm and look for trades with your Transfusion [Q] -- it won’t be easy to get kills unless the opponent is very greedy, but you can easily win trades over an extended period of time as long.

2. Mid Game: Continue to farm -- you are still not particularly strong in fights but if you’re able to get a flank onto the enemy carries, that will still be enough at this stage in the game to win the fight for your team. 

3. Late Game: At this point you will often be the strongest person in the game, and you should look to assert yourself in fights. You can do well in side lanes but the enemy team will be happy to take a 4v4 without you in the picture.