Akali Build Guide by Zippo33

Introduction

Hey everyone, this is my Solo top/Mid Akali build. Akali is a melee assassin, she has incredible burst damage to take out anybody in her path. Ive been playing Akali for a while now and I think Ive found the perfect build for her. Im very open to change and will take any suggestions seriously. (:

Lore

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. Akali is one of these shadow warriors, entrusted with the sacred duty of Pruning the Tree - eliminating those who threaten the equilibrium of Valoran.

A prodigious martial artist, Akali 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 Shen and Kennen 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."

Spotlight

Akali

Pros / Cons

Akali has many different pros and cons. If you like playing assassins with amazing amounts of burst damage then she is probably the character you've been looking for. She takes a while to master but when you do it will be worth the time and money. I highly recommend you to buy her if youve got the extra rp or ip.

Pros + Amazing Burst Damge + Stealth + Movability Shadow Dance + Tank killer

SPACE

SPACE

Cons - Almost no CC - Takes time to learn to play her - Need specific masteries - High priority target

Masteries

Masteries
3/4	4/4	4/4	4/3	1/1	2/1	2/3	1/4	2/3	2/4	4/3	1/2

Runes

Runes
Greater Glyph of Scaling Magic Resist 9	Greater Mark of Magic Penetration 5	Greater Seal of Scaling Health 9	Greater Quintessence of Ability Power 3	Greater Mark of Attack Damage 4

Marks

Greater Mark of Magic Penetration: These marks will let you deal more damage early to mid game. If youre going solo top you'll need these for whichever "off-tank" you have to fight against. I wouldnt replace these runes for anything else.


Greater Mark of Attack Damage: You need these marks so that you can get your second passive as fast as possible. But the choice is yours. You can get the second passive by level 13 with the masteries if you so choose.



Seals

greater seal of vitality: Akali is a very squishy champion in early game. These seals help counter that.

Greater Seal of Armor: If you would rather have armor over health you could also choose these seals.

Greater Seal of Ability Power: These aren't my first choice for Akali but if you feel that you arent doing enough damage early game you can pick these seals up.



Glyphs

Greater Glyph of Scaling Magic Resist: If youre going mid then these are a MUST HAVE. Theres no way around it. When you go mid you'll normally be facing an AP Caster. These magic resist runes will help you counter them and sustain your lane longer than normal. I wouldnt go with any other Glyphs.



Quintessences

Greater Quintessence of Ability Power: Who doesnt want an extra 15 Ap at beginning game? I love these quints and would change them for the world. The let you deal mor damage along with your Marks.

The Good the Bad and the Ugly Summoner Spells

The Good

Flash

Ignite

Ghost

Akali

Teleport

Akali

Exhaust

The Bad

Heal

Cleanse

Twilight Shroud

Revive

Smite

Akali

Akali

The Ugly

Clairvoyance

Akali

Clarity

Akali

Ability Explanation and Ability Sequence

Upon obtaining 20 ability power Akalis hits deal 8% bonus magic damage increasing by 1% for every 6 ability power she has Upon obtaining 10 attack damage Akali gains 8% spell vamp increasing by an aditional 1% for ever 6 bonus attack damage she has Akali spins her karm at a target enemy to deal 45/70/95/120/145(+40% of ability power) and marks the target for 6 seconds Akalis melee attacks attacks against that target wil ignite it dealing 45/70/95/120/145 (+40% of ability power)

SPACE

Akali moves throught the shadows quickly to strike her target for 100/ 175/250 (+50% of ability power) Akali gains an essence of shadow every 25/20/15. She also gains one for any kill or assist. (Up to a cap of 3)

SPACE

Akali throws down a cover of smoke that lasts for 8 seconds. While inside the area you gain 10/20/30/40/50 armor and magic resist and becomes stealthed. Enemies inside the smoke have their movement speeds reduced by 14/18/22/26 /30% Akali flourishes her karmas hitting nearby units for 30/55/80/105/130 physical damage (+30% of ability power)(+60% attack damage) Note: this can activate Mark of the Assassin

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

You want to max Mark of the Assassin as fast as possible for ranged farming and a lot of damage to enemy champions when you get Sheen. Once you get Sheen/ Lich Bane your damage output will be HUGE. Cescent slash will be your next focus for more damage output. You obviously mas Shadow Dance whenever you can. Twilight Shroud doesnt need to be focused on because you dont really need its change until late game.

Gameplay

In the beginning you want to farm and try not to over-extend. Use your Mark of the Assassin to kill minions that have low health. If the enemy champion is in range taunt them with it instead. It will push them back and not let them get as much farm. Keep farming until you get Giant's Belt once you get that you can go for the enemy champion.

Note: If they have a jungler a good investment would be a Sight Ward or Vision Ward

When a team battle breaks out your role as an assassin is to take out the enemy champions dealing the most damage, target AD Carries ( Caitlyn, Vayne, Graves,etc.)
and AP Casters ( Ahri, Veigar, Swain). Once you take them out the battle and the game should be smooth-sailing. Make use of your ult, do it as many times as you can so the enemy champions cant focus you because they have no idea wher youre at.

Ganking

When using Akali right she can perform some of the best ganks League of Legends has to offer. When preparing for a gank make sure your ally/allies knows which target to focus or put cc on. Ultimate to the enemy champion for some initial damge use Mark of the Assassin use your ultimate again, then Crescent Slash after all of that and their still alive your probably ganking a tank. Dont do that.

Items-Damage

Here it is. The reason most people even scroll down this far! The Items I choose for Akali and the reasons I choose them!

• Lich Bane:This is your main damage dealer. This item goes super well with Mark of the Assassin your damage output will be crazy. I wouldn't recommend changing this item for any other
• Hextech Gunblade:This items is any hybrids dream item. It goes well with Akali as well even though this guide plays her as straight AP. Its active is a great finisher for people you just cant get down all the way. You can exchange this item for Deathfire Grasp as well. Its your choice
• Abyssal Scepter: I did have Void Staff on her but I decided to change the items. I did the math and the 20 extra MR reduction is actually more than what Void Staff would give you. It gives you some nice AP with some durability as well
• Rabadon's Deathcap: This item is only for AP. Once you get this you enter what I call "god mode" the enemy team wont know what hit them
  
  
  
  
  
  Other Reliable Damage Items
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Will of the Ancients: A good item that you can get beginning,mid,or late game. Gives you ability power and spell vamp so you can stay in lane longer
  
• Deathfire Grasp: I mentioned this item before. You can replace Hextech Gunblade for this. Its cheaper, focuses on AP (unlike hextech which focuses on AD and AP), and still gives you that great active were looking for

Items-Survivability

Now that we have discussed damage we need to talk about being able to stay in lane longer and making it out of team fights alive.

• Rylai's Crystal Scepter: Yes, I only have one item for durability in my build. BUT, that doesnt mean you cant have more. I choose this item because it gives you a good amount of health along with much needed AP and some utility along with it.
  
  
  
  
  
  Other Reliable Items
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Guardian Angel: This item provides a good amount of armor and MR. But everybody knows the real reason you get this item. You get this item for its amazing passive that lets you defy death itself
• Zhonya's Hourglass; If you find yourself getting focused in team fights get this item and right when they start to focus you just activate it and then flash out of the battle. The enemy team wont know what happened to you and your team has a very high chance to win the battle

Summary

Well if youve made it this far thank you for reading my Akali guide. Ill be adding more to it and my other guide as time passes and my learning of coding gets better(:
I hope youve learned a little bit mmore about one of my favorite champions in the League. If you have any questions fell free to PM me. If you have any suggestions about the build let me know and I will take them seriously, if you see anything wrong with my coding or suggestions to make my guide look nicer. Plese, let me know. See you on the Rift. Happy Gaming!(:

Special Thanks

Special thanks to everyone who has upvoted my guide! It really means a lot, it keeps me going and motivated to keep improving this guide and my others.

Change Log

• 8-7-12: Guide was started
• 8-8-12: After pulling an all-nighter and a half-dayer? (: Guide was published
• After playing a couple games, I reached the decision to replace Zhonya's Hourglass with Hextech Gunblade 8-8-12
• Added Spotlight Chapter 8-8-12
• 8-31-12: Added Exhaust to "The Good" Summoner spels. Meant to do it a long time ago but just now got around to it
• 9-9-12: Added Smite to "The Bad" Summoner spells.
• 9-16-12: Small Changes
• 9-17-12: Complete rework on the "Items" Chapter. Also added Abyssal Scepter to build instead of Void Staff
• 9-30-12: Small changes in coding
  

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  To Do List
  
  
• Make a FAQ chapter
• Make situational items section in the Items chapter
• Improve Coding