There are FOUR main parts to this guide.
Build Comparison BY STATS
Build Comparison BY BULLET POINTS
Unique Skills to Master
My Fave Builds (In Progress)

Syndra is a great champion to learn early in your League of Legends experience because she teaches you how important positioning, timing, and skill can be in League of Legends. She is a high risk but high reward Champion when played correctly. Therefore, she is not for everyone. Those of you who do decide to pick her up may be wondering how to itemize correctly.

And it truely can be difficult to grasp just how varying Itemization can change a champion's role/ playstyle/ effectiveness. This guide points out build differences in order to give players insight on how understanding itemization will help them to adapt to different situations. It is up to the player however to decide when each build is best. Keep in mind that some of these builds may or may not be utilized in the current Meta and in no way cover the unbelievable number of item combinations possible. I suggest you look at popular build guides later that are up-to-date with the current meta after you understand how drastically itemization can affect your Champion, in this case Syndra. Keep in mind that no one build will get you to Challenger (if that is your goal). You have to learn when one build is better than the other.


All Build Statistics where generated at teryd.net.
The Build Simulator does tend to be down right after patches for updates. Be Patient.
For ease of comparison, all builds use the same runes and masteries which happen to be what I'm currently using.



Maximizes early game AP, AD, and defense.


Introduction * Build Comparison BY STATS * Build Comparison by Bullet Points * Unique Skills to Master * Summary

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LEGEND

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Athene's Unholy Grail

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Morellonomicon

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Seraph's Embrace

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Ability Spam

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Harass

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Survive

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Sustain

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All Build Statistics where generated at teryd.net.
For ease of comparison, all builds use the same runes and masteries which happen to be what I'm currently using.

STATISTIC COLORATION
Very Strong
Strong
Normal Range
Stituational
Weak
Very Weak


TABLE
BUILD COST

Required Gold

15645

15245

15745

15095

14845

14445

15045

OFFENSE

BUILD Attack Damage Attack Speed Armor Penetration Ability Power Magic Penetration Autoattack DPS

103.2 0.838 8 + 6% 733.8 20+38.9% 93

103.2 0.838 8 + 6% 761.1 20+38.9% 93

103.2 0.838 8 + 6% 821.8 20+38.9% 93

103.2 0.838 8 + 6% 739.9 20+38.9 93

103.2 0.838 8 + 6% 511.9 35+38.9 93

103.2 0.838 8 + 6% 516.7 35+38.9% 93

103.2 0.838 8 + 6% 679.2 20+38.9% 93

DEFENSE

BUILD Health Sheild Health Regeneration Armor Magic Resistance Total Effective Health Effective Health: Physical Effective Health: Magical

1784 0 20.13 139.2 55 3485 4204 2765

1784 0 20.13 139.2 30 3262 4204 2319

1784 580 23.47 139.2 30 4048 5218 2878

1784 580 23.47 89.2 55 3779 4127 3432

2084 0 20.13 139.2 30 3810 4911 2709

2084 580 23.47 139.2 30 4596 5925 3268

1784 0 20.13 139.2 55 3485 4204 2765

UTILITY

BUILD Maximum Mana Mana Regen Cooldown Reduction Mov't Speed Spell Vamp

1150 30.7 35% 380.6 0

1150 30.7 35% 380.6 0

2150 30.7 15% 380.6 0

2150 40.7 35% 380.6 0

1150 30.7 35% 380.6 0

2150 40.7 25% 380.6 0

1150 30.7 35% 380.6 20%/3 per target

ABILITY DAMAAGE FULL BUILD

BUILD Dark Sphere Force of Will Scatter the Weak Unleashed Power/

721 811 585 352

739 832 597 358

778 878 623 371

725 816 588 353

578 644 489 304

581 648 492 305

686 770 562 340

Introduction * Build Comparison BY STATS * Build Comparison by Bullet Points * Unique Skills to Master * Summary

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Green = makes build
Red = breaks build
Yellow= Situational/ May break build

WARNING: Keep in mind that what makes a build during the laning phase might actually break the build later on in teamfights. You have to balance between your laning potential and your later role in teamfights.

All Build Statistics where generated at teryd.net

The first build named Athene's Unholy Grail will be considered the standard burst build for this guide to serve as the standard to compare the other builds to. Syndra's main role after all is BURST!


Jump to Build
Athene's Unholy Grail * Morellonomicon * Seraph's Embrace * Ability Spam * Harass * Survive * Sustain

Introduction * Build Comparison BY STATS * Build Comparison by Bullet Points * Unique Skills to Master * Summary

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Athene's Unholy Grail

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PROS Mana Font +15% max mana on Kill/Assist 35% Cooldown Reduction Deathfire Grasp Active Zhonya's Hourglass stasis 55 Magic Resist

CONS 2nd least HP (Squishy) no shield No Grievous Wounds less AP than possible less Magic pen than possible

BUILD: This is a Standard Build for Syndra that maximizes her burst role with sufficient mana regen and cooldown reduction.

USES: Can be used in any game as long as you aren't getting destroyed.


Jump to Build
Athene's Unholy Grail * Morellonomicon * Seraph's Embrace * Ability Spam * Harass * Survive * Sustain

Introduction * Build Comparison BY STATS * Build Comparison by Bullet Points * Unique Skills to Master * Summary

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Morellonomicon

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PROS Grievious Wounds Increased AP Deathfire Grasp Active 35% Cooldown Reduction Zhonya's Hourglass stasis

CONS No Mana Font No mana restore on kill/assist Minimum Magic Resist least HP (Squishy) less Magic pen than possible no shield

BUILD: This is also a standard build that sacrifices Mana Font/+15% mana on kill assist for Grievious Wounds and 20 AP. It helps you prevent opponent healing to either kill them or make them recall

USES: When the opponent brings lots of health restore (health pots/ crystalline flask) or has more defense/ harder to poke down.


Jump to Build
Athene's Unholy Grail * Morellonomicon * Seraph's Embrace * Ability Spam * Harass * Survive * Sustain

Introduction * Build Comparison BY STATS * Build Comparison by Bullet Points * Unique Skills to Master * Summary

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Seraph's Embrace

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PROS Most AP Most raw Ability Damage Deathfire Grasp Active Double max mana Zhonya's Hourglass stasis Shield Active

CONS Only 15% Cooldown Reduction No Mana Font No mana restore on kill/assist No Grievous Wounds Minimum Magic Resist Less Magic pen than possible

BUILD: Gives the most AP and Ability Damage (and provides a sheild) compared to other builds in this guide at the sacrifice of Cooldown Reduction. Can be remedied with Blue Elixers and/or Blue Buff some of the time. Keep in mind that for Syndra it is more feasible to sacrifice some AP for 35% Cooldown Reduction for 6-7 sphere Unleashed Power.

USES: When you can take out your opponent in one combo this build works despite the low Cooldown Reduction while having the shield for a little more sustain. You will be sacrificing some your support ability late game from the low cooldown reduction


Jump to Build
Athene's Unholy Grail * Morellonomicon * Seraph's Embrace * Ability Spam * Harass * Survive * Sustain

Introduction * Build Comparison BY STATS * Build Comparison by Bullet Points * Unique Skills to Master * Summary

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Ability Spam

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PROS Most Mana Regeneration Mana Font +15% max mana on Kill/Assist Deathfire Grasp Active 35% cooldown reduction Sheild Active 55 Magic Resist Double maximum mana

CONS no Zhonya's Hourglass stasis less armor no Grievous Wounds less Magic pen than possible less AP than possible

BUILD: Maximizes Mana Regeneration in order to constantly farm/ harass/ jungle/ build Seraph's Embrace and have the extra sheild.

USES: Can be used in many situations bc of the capability to Ability Spam. Use when Zhonya's Hourglass active isn't as necessary.


Jump to Build
Athene's Unholy Grail * Morellonomicon * Seraph's Embrace * Ability Spam * Harass * Survive * Sustain

Introduction * Build Comparison BY STATS * Build Comparison by Bullet Points * Unique Skills to Master * Summary

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Harass

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PROS Liandry's torment burn (safer poke) 's burn synergizes with & Grievous Wounds Most Magic Pen Most Health Zhonya's Hourglass stasis Deathfire Grasp Active 35% Cooldown Reduction

CONS Lowest AP Lowest Ability Damage (if w/out ) No Mana Font No mana restore on kill/assist Minimum Magic Resist

BUILD: Maximizes poke potential and Magic Pen while having Zhonya's Hourglass stasis for peace of mind.

USES: For when you have to poke and run or when your opponent is building high Magic resist or is inherently tanky. Not as bursty - may break build


Jump to Build
Athene's Unholy Grail * Morellonomicon * Seraph's Embrace * Ability Spam * Harass * Survive * Sustain

Introduction * Build Comparison BY STATS * Build Comparison by Bullet Points * Unique Skills to Master * Summary

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Survive

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PROS Liandry's torment burn (safer poke) 's burn synergizes with & Grievous Wounds Most Magic Penetration Zhonya's Hourglass stasis Sheild Active Most Health Most Mana Regeneration

CONS 25% Cooldown Reduction Lowest AP Lowest Ability Damage (if w/out ) No Mana Font No mana restore on kill/assist No Deathfire Grasp Active Minimum Magic Resist

BUILD: Maximize defense first and then Poke damage.

USES: Rush Zhonya's to negate an ult or survive tower dives while having excellent poke potential similar to the HARASS build. Suffers in Cooldown Reduction. Not as bursty - may break build


Jump to Build
Athene's Unholy Grail * Morellonomicon * Seraph's Embrace * Ability Spam * Harass * Survive * Sustain

Introduction * Build Comparison BY STATS * Build Comparison by Bullet Points * Unique Skills to Master * Summary

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Sustain

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PROS Spell Vamp 20%/3 per target Spell Vamp works with Unleashed Power Mana Font 15% Mana restore on kill/assist Zhonya's Hourglass stasis 35% Cooldown Reduction 55 Magic Resist

CONS Low effective AP Low Ability Damage Spell Vamp ineffective against 1 target No Grievous Wounds No Deathfire Grasp active No Sheild Less Magic Pen than possible

BUILD: Tries to allow you to remain in your lane longer and recover from trades.

USES: Use when you are losing your lane due to bad trades that are not resulting in death. The Spell Vamp will allow you to remain in lane longer by healing back up. However, Syndra's abilites are AoE and therefore will only Spell Vamp 20%/3 per target. This makes it useful when hitting >=3 targets at once. Due to the low AP (and no burn either), this build is not as effective for Syndra. Note: If you are dying the right after your Unleashed Power, ] will heal you ~400 HP for a 6 sphere ult that can allow you to turn the tides, survive, and get the kill.


Jump to Build
Athene's Unholy Grail * Morellonomicon * Seraph's Embrace * Ability Spam * Harass * Survive * Sustain

Introduction * Build Comparison BY STATS * Build Comparison by Bullet Points * Unique Skills to Master * Summary

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The listed skills are in a semi-chronological order to the time you use them in a game. E.g. the first ones typically pertain to early game and the last ones typically to later game.


1-5
Quick Casting
Warding
Mana Management
Lane Bully Early
Poke w/out Push

6-10
Push w/out Poke
Maximize Combo damage
Land Dark Sphere or Force of Will when running away
Land Scatter the Weak
Scatter the Weak to interrupt Ultimates

11-15
2x Dark Sphere Scatter the Weak
3x Dark Sphere Scatter the Weak
Scatter the Weak on Fizz
Scatter the Weak into your Turret
5-7 Dark Sphere Unleashed Power

16-20
5-7 Dark Sphere Scatter the Weak
Baiting for Ganks
Counter the Counter-Ganks Early Game
Roaming
Gank bot/top lane

21-25
Jungle Creep Combos
Blue Buff
Buff Steal
Ignite Tower Dive
Flash to Initiate

26-29
Flash over Jungle Walls
Positioning
Engage--> Disengage--> Engage
Priority Targeting



Introduction * Build Comparison BY STATS * Build Comparison by Bullet Points * Unique Skills to Master * Summary

1-5

Quick Casting


Warding


Mana Management


Lane Bully Early


Poke w/out Push

Back to List

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6-10

Push w/out Poke


Maximize Combo damage


Land Dark Sphere or Force of Will when running away


Land Scatter the Weak


Scatter the Weak to interrupt Ultimates


Back to List

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Introduction * Build Comparison BY STATS * Build Comparison by Bullet Points * Unique Skills to Master * Summary


11-15

x2 Scatter the Weak


x3 Scatter the Weak


Scatter the Weak on Fizz


Scatter the Weak into your Turret


5-7 Unleashed Power


Back to List

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16-20

5-7 Scatter the Weak


Baiting for Ganks


Counter the Counter-Ganks Early Game


Roaming


Back to List

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21-25

Introduction * Build Comparison BY STATS * Build Comparison by Bullet Points * Unique Skills to Master * Summary



Gank bot/top lane


Jungle Creep Combos


Blue Buff


Buff Steal


Ignite Tower Dive


Flash to Initiate

Back to List

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26-29

Flash over Jungle Walls


Positioning


Engage--> Disengage--> Engage


Priority Targeting


Back to List

Introduction * Build Comparison BY STATS * Build Comparison by Bullet Points * Unique Skills to Master * Summary

1-5
Quick Casting
Warding
Mana Management
Lane Bully Early
Poke w/out Push

6-10
Push w/out Poke
Maximize Combo damage
Land Dark Sphere or Force of Will when running away
Land Scatter the Weak
Scatter the Weak to interrupt Ultimates

11-15
2x Dark Sphere Scatter the Weak
3x Dark Sphere Scatter the Weak
Scatter the Weak on Fizz
Scatter the Weak into your Turret
5-7 Dark Sphere Unleashed Power

16-20
5-7 Dark Sphere Scatter the Weak
Baiting for Ganks
Counter the Counter-Ganks Early Game
Roaming
Gank bot/top lane

21-25
Jungle Creep Combos
Blue Buff
Buff Steal
Ignite Tower Dive
Flash to Initiate

26-29
Flash over Jungle Walls
Positioning
Engage--> Disengage--> Engage
Priority Targeting

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If you are the type of person that isn't using item sets, you should start!! They will allow you to get back into the fight without digging or processing what you should build next. I have at least 10 different builds for Syndra and I use every one of them. Put them all in one build and change the view of your shop so see them all better.


ABILITY SPAM
What I particularly like about this build is the early AP from Seraph's Embrace and the capability to ability spam once you get the Chalice of Harmony with Mana Font. This will give you the most bullying power early to allow you to get ahead of your opponents. Once ahead you will be bursty for the whole game unless it goes so long that the enemy team can get full builds. This is great for hard to widdle down opponents. If you are against an easy match up you will likely snowball hard.

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SUPPORT INTO AP CARRY
This build is for when your ADC knows how to harass and get kills. I suggest it for Draft Pick when you know you can handle the matchup, or when you need to dominate for fun in a bot game. In Blind Pick it is very risky. Both of you will snowball hard when it works!! There have been so many games where Syndra gets more kills and more gold than your whole team. The reason why is Syndra is AMAZING against squishy opponents and enemy ADC's are just that. You can literally "outfarm" your ADC, just try it!!

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TEAMFIGHTS EARLY DENYING YOU MINIONS??
If mid lane as Syndra, you are constantly facing their entire team early game because they want to take your tower, this can give you and your team a significant advantage. You will constantly proc the Tribute passive and do additional damage. You can get 90g per minute from Frost Queen's Claim alone. The active on FQC is awesome for when they try to tower dive you bc you will slow them witht he active, stun them with Scatter the Weak, slow them with Force of Will, and barrage them with turret blasts. If they are still shutting your team down, the other items will help you turn the tides of battle!

After you get Frost Queen's Claim you can either continue the build if you are suffering, or revert to normal bursty items for Syndra such as Rabadon's Deathcap, Zhonya's Hourglass, and Deathfire Grasp.

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SERAPH'S AND MURAMANA

This build can be extremely fun and is for going against tanky low damage dealing opponents!! Its for when your team simply cant take down Braum, Dr. Mundo, etc. I came up with this build after facing an awesome Braum mid lane that was shutting down our teams damage. WARNING: Take heed that you will be hitting Q EVERY 3-4 SECONDS for the ENTIRE GAME!! THE ENTIRE GAME!!!! Make sure you get blue buff on its second spawn if your jungler can spare it. I use this build when there is someone like Braum on the enemy team and I can 1v1 him. Nobody will even give it a thought because Syndra shouldn't be able to kill him. No one will come to his aid - that's HIS duty to the rest of his team. He's invincible right! Right? With this build you will CC him after CC him (don't forget to AA for Iceborn Gauntlet proc) till he gets so scared from low health that he will Ult you just to get away to stay alive. Dodge the Ult and finish him off. He will want to chat with you after you win the game.

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I hope this guide helps you understand how itemization can greatly affect Syndra on your way to LOL GLORY. And who doesn't like a few helpful hints along the way :) I hope you enjoy trying my favorite builds in the future. Don't forget to vote, make comments, and provide positive criticism!

Hope you enjoy,
Jalesom

Introduction * Build Comparison BY STATS * Build Comparison by Bullet Points * Unique Skills to Master * Summary