Akali Build Guide: Akali: The Epitome Of An Assassin. by Bryun

Patch 3.7

Akali

Twilight Shroud
Now grants vision in the area of effect
Shadow Dance
Essence of Shadow charge time reduced to 30/22.5/15 seconds from 35/25/15

The Twilight Shroud vision helps, but the thing is you shouldn't be spamming Twilight Shroud because the amount of energy it uses. It is helpful though.
With Shadow Dance it's better than nothing. You still can't use Shadow Dance recklessly anymore.. :(
The other recent nerfs on her Mark of the Assassin hurt her base damage, it'll be harder to trade with bruisers and last hit.

Hi guys, my name's Bryan otherwise known in-game as Obtains. This was my absolute first guide I've ever created and will most likely be the only one I will ever create again. I've played ever since I about started League of Legends, and I've loved her ever since. The way she plays, her mechanics, the damage she deals, it's all flawless to me. Although I should forewarn you, is a situational champion. If there is a lot of crowd control on the enemy team you should think again about choosing . Her main role is to destroy the carries, picking them off before anything important happens. I'm not saying I have the best knowledge on , but I would like to share with you guys what I do know. I hereby introduce you guys my take on , Enjoy.

There exists an ancient order originating in the Ionian Isles dedicated to the preservation of balance. Order, chaos, light, darkness -- all things must exist in perfect harmony for such is the way of the universe. This order is known as the Kinkou and it employs a triumvirate of shadow warriors to uphold its causes in the world. is one of these shadow warriors, entrusted with the sacred duty of Pruning the Tree - eliminating those who threaten the equilibrium of Valoran.

A prodigal martial artist, began training with her mother as soon as she could make a fist. Her mother's discipline was relentless and unforgiving, but predicated on the fundamental principle: ''We do that which must be done.'' When the Kinkou inducted her into the order at the age of fourteen, she could slice a dangling chain with a chop of her hand. There was no question - she would succeed her mother as the Fist of Shadow. She has had to do much in this role which others might find morally questionable, but to her it is in service of her mother's inviolable doctrine. She now works with her fellows and to enforce the balance of Valoran. This hallowed pursuit has unsurprisingly led the triumvirate to the Fields of Justice.

''The Fist of Shadow strikes from the cover of death itself. Do not impede the balance.''

+ // Has an insane amount of burst damage.
+ // Can escape easily with & .
+ // Covers vasts amount of distance with her sheer mobility.
+// Attack animations allow you to farm easily.
+// Extremely versatile.
+ // Snowballs if doing well.

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- // Higher learning curve.
- // Practically no crowd control.
- // Crowd control rapes Akali.
- // Undoubtedly squishy.
- // One of the first targets people search for.
- // Items such as s & cripple her.

Runes

Since had recently had a passive change these marks are actually better for her, you only lose out on 2 magic penetration in return for 8 armor penetration. Remember that is considered a hybrid champion, so these are the best choice.

For me personally, I've always favored HP/LVL seals. Since can go middle the extra health keeps you safe against high burst champions that normally go middle, and can also be helpful top on ocassion.

These are better than flat ability power gyphs, since you are concentrating on scaling into late game these AP/LVL glyphs will help you do more damage at the later stages of the game and help you become a greater threat once you reach level 6/7.

The best quintessences you can get on a ability power based champion. More damage, more money, no problems. ;)

Runes

Since is played mainly ability power, these are also a solid choice. You can use these if you don't have . It's also a good idea to use these if you are laning against a bad early game champion.

Use these if you are laning against a high burst ability power champion. These help decrease the burst output they use on you to lane easier.

Runes

Use these seals against AD champions that go mid or top. (ie. )

You could use these if you're going against a high burst ability power mid, but you are better off going MR glyphs/marks and sticking with .

These are good for early game, but fall off compared to .

Runes

Good for early game. Use against champions that have terrible early laning phases or if you want to take down your enemy as quickly as possible.

High burst champions like /? It's be wise to get these.

Get these if you're going against AP champions that scale into late game.

Runes

These can be used for late game, combined with other items with magic penetration (ie. ) to deal significant damage.

Use these against skill shot champions to be able to dodge their abilities easier. Also, helps ganking lanes quicker.

More health early game to withstand high burst AP champions, or annoying champions like .

Masteries

With 21/9/0 you gain an increase in survivability & an increase in damage. The offense tree is to good to give up for all that extra damage can't be passed up. Along with the health boost from the defense tree it synergizes with your x9 Greater Seal of Vitality. More health what's not to like?

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Summoner's Wrath - More damage on Ignite.
Sorcery - Decreases your cool-downs to spam skills more.
Blast - Scaling ability power, more burst late game.
Arcane Knowledge - 8% Magic Penetration, you would be stupid not to get this. This increases Akali's damage greatly throughout the game, the less magic resistance the enemy has, the greater this mastery will be.
Brute Force - Attack damage is better than Mental Force early for last hitting, and harasssing.
Archmage - More ability power!
Executioner - Perfect mastery for an assassin like Akali, now the stragglers can be picked off easier, and the enemies will have less of a chance to escape with their life.

Durability - Health per level, gives Akali some bulk later in the game along with her x9 Greater Seal of Vitality
Hardiness - Since you are mainly going to be solo-top, you will most likely be against a bruiser that scales with attack damage, it'd be smart to get this.
Resistance - If the person you are laning against scales with magic damage, invest in this instead over Hardiness . They are both interchangeable.
Veteran's Scars - Flat health? Makes a scarier early game for the enemy champion seeing all those health bars you have with Akali.

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Ignite - Ignite is a summoner spell which I prefer, knowing my luck the majority of time my opponent escapes with barely any life left. Well Ignite solves that problem for me, dealing true damage over time it finishes off the opponent for me.
Flash - Used to gain distance between enemies. Flash + Shadow Dance[R] = Godly Range! You can also use Flash to escape any gank or team fight if it isn't favorable to you. Flashing through walls can save your life or can enable you to kill an enemy.

Exhaust - Can be used to slow the enemy down for that needed area to be able to Shadow Dance[R] onto the champion. Also decreases damage dealt to you and can be used to escape. Get this summoner if they have a lot of AD on their team.
Ghost - Allows you to gain movement speed to chase or escape from an enemy champion effectively. Able to run through those pesky minions that get in your way! Although, Flash is still a better choice.
Teleport - This spell is very useful to protect your turret(s) or even an ally(s) when needed, blinking in by teleporting to a minion or ward in the middle of a team fight can change the tide of a game.
Cleanse - Use this summoner if the enemy team has a lot of crowd control.

You should buy your starting items according to which champion you are facing.

The most standard, and best set of items to choose when the game is about to start. and 3 s gives the mobility to move in lane efficiently. The allow you to get last hit better, harass the opponent with , and if you have a skill-shot oriented enemy helps you dodge the skill-shots much easier, while the 3 s give you a good amount of lane sustain, popping one each time you get to about 60~75% health. Lately, I've been waiting for the 4th as it comes in handy.

This start gives you tons of sustain early game, to be able to stay in lane against high harass champions or champions that are really difficult to lane against. This also helps you out sustain the enemy in lane.

Buy against heavy harass AD champions like , , , , etc. You can turn this into later on.

Buy this against . After you buy this item, it will make laning against her so much more tolerable. Her damage won't be as devastating and you will out-last her since you are energy based and she requires mana.

An amazing item for a hybrid like . Branching from bought early on, this is basically that but 45 attack damage which goes into your and , 65 ability power providing to your magical damage and , 10 life steal & 20 spell vamp synergizing with ! The main reason why this is bought is for the spell vamp boost, and active passive. With the active, it acts like another mini-, that with a range of 700 you can place on a target champion and also slow them too, it was basically made for .

With the highest ability power stats in the game, this item is wanted by every champion that scales with ability power.

Best shoes in the game for , more magic penetration = more damage.

Buy these boots if the enemy team has a lot of crowd control, the tenacity reduces the time you are snared, stunned, etc.

Buy these if you're against a difficult bruiser, or AD champion like .

This item if a must have if you are facing an enemy team that is stacking magic resist against you. With the 35% magic penetration it can increase the amount damage you place onto the selected enemy champion. With the recent changes taking priority of getting this item over will actually deal more damage. Here's some proof.

One of the main reasons why this item is chosen is because of the passive along with the 80 ability power, and 5 movement speed. After using an ability your next auto attack will deal physical bonus damage refreshing every two seconds. Scaling with ability power this item gives even more burst to your than you had before. The key is to time your combo right so you get both procs on activated when using .

Get this item if they have one major threat. With the active passive you can burst down the enemy quickly. leaving the enemy team with no real damage.

If you are doing really well in the game, and not dying. I highly encourage you to buy this item, with 20 stacks and a you'll be taking an enemy champion down before anyone can react.

Having been countered and having a hard time laning? Get this item to increase your health and help your early game out.

This item is incredibly good now. Buying this as your second or third item allows you to be more reckless with and engage first. Very useful and allows you to be less reliant on your allies to play right.

Buy this item if they have a lot of crowd control. When enemies see you with this item it discourages the enemy team to target you since you've become a harder target to kill.

Buy this if the enemy team has a lot of AP based champions. is the highest magic resist item in the game now, and gives health regeneration.

Buy this item if the enemies have less than 80 magic resist, and not much AP damage on the other team

Buy this item if they have a , , or any high spell damage caster. Although this item includes mana, it provides you with 375 health and a shield that negates any ability once until it re-activates in 45 seconds. Useful against champions with ultimates like 's (), 's (), 's (), etc.

Great for when there's tons of crowd control on the enemy team, and to counter ultimates like by , from , etc. It's like a free but in item form.

Buy this item if you're getting kited by champions like , this also provides you with a decent amount of survivability and gives you a slow when you use a spell like .

This item is really good. I buy this item if my team has enough damage and to tank most of the damage.

This consumable is a must get when you have 250 gold to spare, it gives extra health to help you survive later in solo or team fights, and also gives you attack damage to boost your damage such as .

This consumable is whenever you feel like you need a power boost since is increases ability power, and it also reduces cool-downs which is very useful since she is extremely cool-down dependent.
(Tip) Make sure to grab this item whenever the enemy team has a Baron Buff, it helps a lot to counter them.

This is your best friend, if you are not buying a surplus of these every game, you are playing so wrong. What these do is give you vision of an area for a given amount of time (like s but without the ability to see invisible units), placing these around the map will help you and your team-mates pin-point where enemy champions are at the time and creates jungle control.

These are extremely useful in different events, when using these you basically have an but restricted to a set area. You should use this when Oracle's Elixirs are too expensive to afford, and are in fear of stealthed champions that could possibly be in your lane (It is also more discreet). You would also place this at Baron Nashor, and Dragon to destroy the other or there.

Ironic for to need this, even on her it is useful for herself and the team overall. This item gives you the capabilities of seeing things that are invisible or stealthed such as, s, s, from , from , and even the champions themselves such as , , , , , , , and .

Caution!

Different teams call for different items, you do not use this build for every game! There are items depending on the team you are up against such as magic resist items, etc.which will greatly attribute to you and your team.

Ability Sequence
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18

Twin Disciplines - Passive

This passive recently received a change, now that you don't need runes to activate each passive you have leeway with the runes. That combined with with passive made that much stronger. This passive helps you trade blows better as you level up.

Mark of the Assassin

Your farming tool early game. 's only ranged skill so use it to your advantage! If you're against someone who you are timid about just use this to farm, the cool-down is short so you'll be able to farm efficiently. Or with this ability you can harass the enemy champion, and if they come to close proc the mark with the auto-attack and fall back. It'll cause them to be weary forcing them back and possibly losing precious gold and experience to level.

Twilight Shroud

One of 's most well known moves. Her smoke cloud, use this to your advantage! You can use this to farm, escape, slow, and to even scare off the enemies. When using this, determine if you really need it or not, with the energy cost decide if you can survive without it and burst the enemy down leaving extra energy to use [Q], [E], or [R] and be able to use another combo.

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Crescent Slash

Another farming tool, use this to last hit or hit a massive amount of creeps. Normally the first doesn't take down the mob of creeps at full HP, so it'll have to be done twice. This can also be used to destroy what's left of the enemies HP! Also, using this skill triggers the Mark of an Assassin so you can harass at a wider distance than just auto-attacking.

Shadow Dance

This is what makes .. Well . With this move you will be able to cover tons of ground, including Boots and the coverage is mind blowing! As you get a stack every few seconds depending which level it is on, don't be afraid to use it! Also, you gain a stack every time you get and Assist or Kill. Use this move to Chase or Escape.

Insert this wherever in the combo, or don't even use it if you don't need it.

Hit the enemy with your first Mark of the Assassin then wait for the cool-down to be gone until you Shadow Dance towards them and proceed the combo.
Gain coverage by using Shadow Dance if they are far away. (If they use Flash or Ghost).
In Team Fights use Twilight Shroud first and wait until they focus someone else, then proceed to attack.
If you have no more charges left on your Shadow Dance and you know you can secure a kill use the combo and replace Shadow Dance with Flash.
Don't forget to use Hextech Gunblade's active passive, it deals damage and slows.

A few clips I found that might help, in my LolReplay. Juking, Tower Diving & whatnot. Enjoy!

With and there are many possibilities to juking. As requested, I have made pictures of locations that can be used to juke by either ing or just running like hell.

The differences in good 's and the ok ones, is all in the minor details. Normally 's will just randomly place their in a random area, not really thinking about placement. With the right placement it will be even more difficult for enemies to catch you and find you. The key point is using the ridges and curbs to separate the forcing the enemy to choose one of the many paths you could escape to.

Here are some key places they can be used at.

When using this method there are numerous of ways you can go, but the catch is your enemy has to decide which way you went. With the wall in the way their decision is very limited, so what I usually do is wait in and watch the enemy choose their path where they believe I had attempted to escape to and simply run the opposite way.

The map is symmetrical so just do the same locations on either side of the arena.

When using Twilight Shroud make sure to walk on the edges of the bubble, if the champions decide to blindly use their abilities on you, they usually aim for the middle.
You can use Twilight Shroud to check bushes safely, so you don't face-check.
When looking at the amount of energy you have, determine whether it is needed to use Twilight Shroud at all.
Twilight Shroud has an innate slow, so using that effectively can slow down opponents enough to catch up to them, or even slow them down to help your team-mates and yourself get at a safe distance from the enemy.
When you use your first Mark of the Assassin in the Twilight Shroud make sure to wait it out in the bubble until your Mark of the Assassin comes off cool-down. This decreases the amount of damage inflicted upon yourself.

A prime example of dodging using by Westrice - Starts @ 0:26-0:33 & 1:34-1:42

Lee Sin with his Tempest / Cripple & Sonic Wave / Resonating Strike.
Twisted Fate with his Destiny.
Nidalee with her Bushwhack / Pounce.
Caitlyn with her Yordle Snap Trap.
Kog'Maw with his Living Artillery.
Rengar with his Thrill of the Hunt.
Lulu with her Help, Pix!.
Any champion with a Vision Ward and Oracle's Elixir on them.

If any of these champion are on the enemy team take an extra precaution when playing that game, and if you happen to lane against that one champion try to avoid the skills that can be dodged such as 's or , 's and so on...

Credits to Rudmed & AngelPixe for the idea, permission, and information.

Zoning is a very important part of controlling your lane, using your champion, abilities, brush can cause the enemy champion to play passively, where you come in and continue to deny said champion of experience and gold.

Here's a picture of the areas that are safe, and are not.

There are many ways to zone, with the use of here are some ways you can zone the enemy champion.

In this image I used and placed it behind , this will cause the enemy to panic and either move forward, or try to escape around the shroud. You can use that time to harass him, and teach him not to over-extend.

Here, I placed a right on top of my minions, when the champion sees me go in the bubble, they will most likely proceed to back off being denied of a few creeps, and if they don't punish them by attacking.

When the champion pushes to the turret use your placed in front of the turret, making the enemy back off in fear of getting attacked by . This can be also used when they dive you, when they attack use and wait while they get hit by turret aggro, then as they back away proceed to use the combo sequence on them to finish them off.

This is one of the most important uses of zoning. When a creep wave comes extremely close to your turret but don't get caught by the agro, you are in the perfect position for lane dominance. This is known as "freezing the lane", when this happens you are to be strictly last hitting the minions at the very last second, this will cause the enemy to not be able to farm due to the fact your minions are near the tower, yourself, and in fear of getting ganked. Doing this will allow you to out-level the enemy in levels and be ahead in creeps.

Don't ever hesitate to buy s or s as they can save your life or even take one. It also benefits your team by giving them map awareness, and who doesn't love that?

1st Priority -

Baron
Dragon
With Vision Wards so you can destroy the enemies Sight Ward Vision Ward that is also there.

2nd Priority -

Lizard Buff
Golem Buff

3rd Priority -

Bushes in middle lane.
The bushes along the river.

4th Priority -

The exit/entrance bushes from the jungle on top & bottom lane.
The bush next to the Wraith Camp.
The openings from the jungle towards the middle lane.

5th Priority -

Purely optional
The 2 bushes in top & bottom lane.
The bush near the 2nd turret in the jungle.

Even though his voice is very monotone, it's nevertheless informational, and provides an in-depth analysis of ward placement and its importance.

Credits to Dotter & KaOticLegends for giving me the idea, and da_neo & Panglot for the information.

I know, I know. isn't as viable in the jungle as other champs. That is true, BUT it is important to your team and yourself to keep track of the times of each neutral camp.

Baron Nashor

Initial Spawn: (15:00) Respawn Time: (7:00)

Baron is the most important buff in the game, although he takes awhile to kill, it is entirely worth it to take down, providing the extra gold (global 300g), experience, and stats. Your team will have a major advantage against the other team, solely with this buff. So keeping track on this is a major priority by timing the death of Baron all the way to its re-spawn, so the enemy team doesn't get it at all, or get it again.

Dragon/Drake

Initial Spawn: (2:30) Respawn Time: (6:00)

Dragon/Drake is the next important thing you should keep track of, giving an amount of global 190 gold, and experience to those who are near it can determine who wins games. You may think that 190 gold is not much, but in competitive matches any gold you have over your enemy is worth it. You often see team fights at Dragon/Drake solely for that purpose.

Red Buff

Initial Spawn: (1:55) Respawn Time: (5:00)

Red Buff is important for your jungler, it enable him to gank more efficiently in early levels due to the slow, deals true damage and creates a type of mini-ignite towards the selected opponent. After that it usually goes to an AD range carry such as , , , etc. This helps tremendously in game-play overall, with a slow from just auto-attacking, a mini-ignite, and true damage, your team will be at a slight advantage if you control both red buffs.

Blue Buff

Initial Spawn: (1:55) Respawn Time: (5:00)

Blue buff is another buff for a caster and sustaining jungle. Blue buff reduces your cooldown timer, and increases mana regeneration. Usually given to a caster after the jungler can sustain in the jungle with ease, with this buff on the caster, it becomes much more of a hassle in lane and overall. Spamming abilities with ease, placing this on your own caster, and denying it from your enemies can win games.

Wolves, Wraiths, & Small Golems

Initial Spawn: (1:40) Respawn Time: (1:00)

Nothing to really worry about, just might as well place it in. These give no buffs or major advantage in the game, but simply denying a jungler of this early game can cripple them hard, so make sure to protect these camps at level 1, in case of counter-jungling.

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Akali Build Guide by Bryun

Akali: The Epitome Of An Assassin.

Champion Build: Akali

Recommended Runes + Notes

Standard Start

Alternative Start #1

Alternative Start #2

Core

Shoes & Enchantments

Damage

Defenses

Health

Extra Gold?

Standard Build

Ability Sequence

Masteries + Notes

Offense: 21

Defense: 9

Utility: 0

Patch 3.7

You should buy your starting items according to which champion you are facing.

Caution!

Different teams call for different items, you do not use this build for every game! There are items depending on the team you are up against such as magic resist items, etc.which will greatly attribute to you and your team.

1st Priority -

2nd Priority -

3rd Priority -

4th Priority -

5th Priority -

Akali

The Fist of Shadow

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