Hi I'm Aresstickied, I picked up Brand quite quickly after his release but after about a week I went on to Mobafire to see if someone had a similar build to mine (One that I found to be successful and customizable) and no one did! So I decided I would continue to experiment and do my best to create a good guide.

Here it is.

You may be oggling my runes and thinking "wtf?"
Well, ladies and gentlemen, the reason I get these runes is because in my build you really don't get AP until you start/finish rabadon's.
The runes i've chosen give decent AP at the start but also keep adding more all the way to level 18.
No magic pen marks, yes, that's right.
10~ magic pen isn't a whole lot, and considering we have Sorc boots+Archaic Knowledge+Void Staff, you should be good for penetration.

Not gonna do too complicated math but:

Enemy shen with 200 MR. (Void Staff+Sorc boots+Archaic Knowledge+AP/lvl Marks)
-20=180
180x0.51=91.8MR Which is around 47% reduced magic dmg taken.

Enemy shen with 200 MR. (Void Staff+Sorc boots+Archaic Knowledge+Magicpen Marks)
-28.55=171.45
171.45x0.51=87.4395MR Which is around 46% reduce magic dmg taken.


You use Sear on enemy shen #1. At rank 5 it does 240 base dmg and calculating that your runes give 21.06 AP (with rabadon passive). the added ap to sear is 13.689
253.689 sear - shen#1's MR. You deal ~135 Magic DMG.


You use Sear on enemy shen #2. At rank 5 it does 240 base dmg. You have no AP marks.

240 sear-shen#1's MR. You deal ~130 Magic DMG.


That wasn't entirely pointless, you did get 5 extra dmg in that situation, but it's not ground-breaking and we all know that not all tanks will get 200MR. Most usually get around 150-180 iirc.

Some base champ MR is near 30. So technically if they didn't get any MR items/runes/masteries your Sorc boots+magicpen marks could penetrate as though they had no MR. Which would be amazing, but most squishies do get defensive items, especially in ranked, it's a good idea.

Let's say Ashe has 100 MR. Idea #1
-20=80
80x0.51=40.8MR. =~29% reduction.

Ashe 100 MR. Idea #2
-28.55=71.45
71.45x0.51=36.4395. =~26% reduction

253.689 sear - Ashe#1's MR=180~ DMG

240 sear - Ashe#2's MR= 178~ DMG


Even in this situation the DMG with ap marks is better.
Note this math is really rough and sure there are lots of other variables and these are rounded numbers, but I think I'm going to stick with these runes for now.




This section is ****ty, I apologize.
I really rushed it, but w/e.

Standard 9/0/21 with Archmage's Savvy, Sorcery and Archaic Knowledge in Offensive.
I also take Improved Ghost, Improved Flash, etc in utility.

The mastery build get's the important caster points in offensive but also takes utility to help in all aspects of the game (Laning, Teamfights, etc)

I either start with Doran's Ring or Saphire Crystal. If I'm expected to be harassed a lot, I'll get the Crystal, if not, I go with the ring.

It really depends on the game, but I try to get boots of speed after that, then catalyst. I then get Sorc Boots.
At this point I can either get Negatron to later build into Banshee's if im already having trouble with other casters, or a blasting wand. I build the blasting wand into rabadon's as quickly and safely as possible (try not to be too much of a glass-cannon)
I then make a Banshee's Veil.
Rylai's can be very useful in 1vX fights so you can hit your Sear/Pillar of Flame more easily, but it depends.
If you're having trouble with Physical carries, get a Zhonya's.
I almost always get a Void Staff, it's just so beautiful... But if for some reason they don't have a lot of MR, go for more damage or survivability.
You really need to always base your build on your oponents/team, so only take my build as a guideline!

I max W then Q. W is fantastic for 1v1s as it does so much damage and it's great for group fights.

I PERSONALLY enjoy using Flash/Ghost, it helps with my getaways/chasing.
But YOU can use whatever you like, hell if you like using CV, go for it!
This is just what I believe helps me the most.

1on1 fight.

You're going to want to get your E (Conflagration) off first, this'll allow your following Q (Sear) to stun which you can then follow up with your W (Pillar of Flame) for max dmg as is receives 25% more dmg if the target is afflicted by your passive.

Teamfights (Maximize aoe DMG)

Start off with a sear aimed at practically any opponent in range. (Do your best to get a carry and also be careful of anything like Banshee's which will make your Q useless)
After your Q hits, although you do have limited time, try to line it up so that when you use E it bounces to as many as possible, at this point through down your W and throw in your R. Proceed to smile.

In a faraway place known as Lokfar there was a seafaring marauder called Kegan Rodhe. As was his people's way, Kegan sailed far and wide with his fellows, stealing treasures from those unlucky enough to catch their attention. To some, he was a monster; to others, just a man. One night, as they sailed through the arctic waters, strange lights danced over the frozen wastes. There was something hypnotic about them; it was something that drew them to it like moths to a flame. Trekking across the frozen waste, they came to a cave covered in ancient runes. The meaning of the runes long lost to them, Kegan led the way inside. There, inside a perfect cage of ice floated a dancing column of flame. There was no way such a thing should be burning, especially not in this place. However, its movement was as hypnotic as a siren's song, captivating and seductive. While the others stayed back, Kegan could not help but approach it while holding out his hand... That is the last thing Kegan Rodhe remembers, for now his body belongs to Brand. It is a creature of olden times, perhaps even a casualty of the Rune Wars. It is known in ancient texts as the Burning Vengeance. It is a creature of pure fiery hate that exists for no other reason than to lay waste the world of men and yordles. No one is quite sure how Brand found his way to Valoran, but he began his predations at once. Overcome by Demacian forces, he was given a choice: fight within the confines of the League or die. Naturally, he chose to use his destructive powers in the League, for now... ''This place will burn, not by cinder flying or breath of wind, but by the vengeance of my hand.'' -Brand