Guide just added to this site. It was originally on another site, so I apologize for any strange text that might have snuck in. I give a link to the original if you want to see it. It has a bit more stuff due to layout issues.

Please comment about the guide, as I would be interested in updating it. I would also fix any typos or strange occurrences that may have happened when copying the guide too.

There is a place between dimensions, between worlds. To some it is known as the Outside, to others it is the Unknown. To those that truly know, however, it is called the Void. Despite its name, the Void is not an empty place, but rather the home of unspeakable things - horrors not meant for minds of men. Cho'Gath is a creature born of the Void, a thing whose true nature is so awful most will not speak its name. Its fellows have been poking at the walls that divide dimensions for a crack, a way into Runeterra, where they can visit their own personal paradise of horror upon the world. They are called the Voidborn, creatures so ancient and terrible that they have been removed from history altogether. It is rumored that the Voidborn command vast armies of unspeakable creatures on other worlds, that they were once driven from Runeterra by powerful magic lost to antiquity.

If such tales are true, then the rumors that follow must be equally true - that one day, the Voidborn will return. Even now, something dark stirs in Icathia, perverting the summoning rituals of the League to allow the presence of Cho'Gath. It is an alien creature of malice and violence, a thing that causes all but the most stalwart to cringe in fear. Cho'Gath even appears to feed on its predations, growing and swelling as it gorges itself. Worse yet, the creature is intelligent, perhaps greatly so, making most wonder how such a monster could be contained. Fortunately, the power of the League's summoning has confined Cho'Gath's presence exclusively to the League of Legends. It is here that summoners use Cho'Gath's Voidborn abilities to help decide the fate of Runeterra. The Terror of the Void knows what fate it would choose for Runeterra, given half the chance.

"Woe betides the day when Cho'Gath grows weary of the League."

Passive - [Carnivore]: Cho'Gath regains health and mana upon a kill.

This is a very strong laning passive, and a large part as to why Cho'Gath is such as powerful lane champion, even after the mana nerf.

Q - [Rupture]: Cho'Gath ruptures the ground at target location after a .75 second delay. It knocks-up enemies, deals magic damage, and applies a 60% slow for 3 seconds.

His rupture has an ability power ratio of 1. This makes him incredibly strong when he lands this skill. Cooldown is fairly long though.

W - [Feral Scream]: Cho'Gath screams in a cone, dealing magic damage and silencing enemies in the cone. Leveling increases damage and silence duration.

Very good teamfight ability. However, has low priority in early laning phase. Make sure to put in 1 point into it at level 4 though. Also has a decent AP ratio (.7)

E - [Vorpal Spikes] (Toggle): Cho'Gath shoots spikes with every auto-attack for AoE damage.

Very strong in laning phase, and makes last hits a breeze. Use in teamfights is sort of limited, but more damage the better.

R - [Feast]: Cho'Gath deals true damage to single target. Upon killing a target with feast, he gains a health stack and grows in size.

Fantastic nuke when it has just been leveled. Levels off late game, but has a nice AP ratio (.7). The extra health is also beneficial, and allows Cho'Gath to carry momentum.

R > Q > W > E

Put first point into Q, then next two into E for better last hitting. Then put 4th into W, and 5th into Q. Then just follow the max order.

The best summoners for Cho'Gath are definitely Teleport and Flash.

Teleport is just incredibly useful (almost mandatory to have at least 1 on the team), especially for top lane, which could be a 2v1.

Flash is also just a great spell, as Cho'Gath tends to be tanky enough to start a small fight, and if he has to start a big one (or if they focus you because of your awesome AP from using this build :D) you can go in and flash out.

An acceptable substitute for flash would be Ghost, and for Teleport you can do Exhaust, Cleanse, or Ignite. However, Teleport and Flash are strongly recommended for top lane.

If you are in the 2v2 lane, think about taking Cleanse, as you are probably going full tank.

In the best case scenario, you want to go AP Cho'Gath. It is just flat out the best way to build him if you wreck the laning phase, and have the farm to build what you need. Due to his base stat gains and Feast, he will still be able to soak up a ton of damage, and dish out a ton too. This guide is supposed to tell you how to maximize a Cho'Gath's abilities, so I am stating what is for the most part the best items for him to get. You can use your own discretion on items to get though after Abyssal, as stated further in the guide.

For starting items grab a Regrowth Pendant and a HP Pot. This will give a large amount of laning survivability, and allow you to farm up your Philosopher Stone, Level 1 Boots, and Catalyst very fast. Your lane prescence is going to be very strong now, as your opponent has no hope of taking your lane because you also have Teleport. If you were also able to get a Blasting Wand when you bought your Catalyst, your harass just got a whole lot stronger. Be ready for a kill!

Then get your Rod of Ages, Negatron Cloak, and finish Boots. I prefer the [Boots of Swiftness], but you can use [Sorcerer's Shoes] or whatever boots you want. Now finish Abyssal. At this point, the core of your items should be complete. Based on how the game is going, you should decide what you get next. Usually I like to get Giant's Belt for my Rylai if I have enough money, but getting the other recipe items can work if you are a bit strapped for cash.

Once Rylai is done, get a Needlessly Large Rod. You should turn that into a Rabbadan, but if they have too much AD damage, [Zhonya's Hourglass] will be better to get first. After finishing that item, sell your Philosopher Stone for a Needlessly Large Rod, and complete whichever item you didn't get in previous step. Alternatively, take a Lich Bane, which I am leaning more to now. With a full item set, Cho'Gath has well over 4K hp, and a ton of AP to boot. Makes for fun games :)

Notes: Normally games will not last past you getting Rylai, so straying away from this build set up to that point is not usually going to happen. However, if the game is dragging out, make sure to counter the enemy team accordingly. Ideally you want the game to end after you get Rylai, since when the other team is packed full of [Banshee's Veil], Cho'Gath loses a large amount of his effectiveness. If other team is rushing Banshee's Veil to counter you, you may want to deviate to a more tank build after Rylai. [Frozen Heart] would be an especially good item to get if you know you are going to have to be more tanky, as you will love the extra armor and lower cooldowns.

If you are doing incredibly well, and you already feel yourself going into unstoppable mode, get a [Mejai's Soulstealer] after RoA. Cho'Gath doesn't die often, but he does kill often! A [Leviathan] also does well on Cho'Gath once you are sure you can make use of it, and you can even decide to skip Rylai if your Leviathan is doing very well.

As Cho'Gath, you have a fantastic ability to invade the jungle. If you are on Purple team, you can easily take their blue with your damage output and Feast. Just make sure you are cautious, as you are probably stockpiling gold, and don't have the item advantage on opponents, especially the one from boots. Also, getting your team's blue is good for AP Cho'Gath. His cooldowns are not the best in a full AP build (Unless you got a [Frozen Heart]), so with runes, blue buff, and an elixir, he will be very close to the 40% cap.

Speaking of which, make sure to buy your consumables! Cho'Gath doesn't have much use for potions past early laning phase, but make sure to buy [Elixir of Brilliance] whenever you have the ability to do so, and it will not hinder you getting another recipe item. Also note that since Cho'Gath will be not be leaving his lane much, always try to buy 2 wards when you recall. Chances are you will burn through the first, and probably the 2nd before you can go get some more.

Pros

* You hit Cho'Gath's very strong damage peak for midgame
* Excellent farming
* Can easily be your team's AP carry
* Still has a large amount of survivability, with the right masteries and runes
* Incredible damage for late game



Cons

* You need your momentum from laning phase to pull the build off
* An early death will make you lose your precious feast stacks, reducing survivability
* Constantly losing team fights will eventually make you lose all feast stacks, and your game presence will be much lower
* Very dependent on farming
* Banshee's Veil will make him cry

This is the build that you will usually have to follow, as usually you will not be dominant enough to pull off the AP build.

Tank Cho'Gath plays exactly like AP Cho'Gath (at solo top at least), until you start to near your Rod of Ages. If you were already planning on playing tank Cho'Gath, get a Negatron Cloak before your RoA, or perhaps even your Blasting Wand. (You may also consider getting a [Leviathan] some time in the build) If you are just playing it as you go, analysing how both teams are performing, continue on with normal AP Cho'Gath build, until you finish your Abyssal. (If you go Tank Cho'Gath, remember to get [Mercury's Treads])

That is really where you decide if you go tank Cho'Gath or AP Cho'Gath. If you want tank Cho'Gath, build a [Sunfire Cape] or a [Glacial Shroud], to give you some mostly defensive stats, but have some added offensive potential. Then just get whatever tank items you feel you need.

By following that type of tank build, you still get to a pretty nice offensive peak for mid game, and can be a fairly reliable tank. The best of both worlds! However, note that you will really start to fade away in damage potential as the lategame comes, but you will still have greater damage potential than other tanks.

But remember, tank Cho'Gath is not a great initiator, his only flaw when played as a tank. I still recommend on having a "true" initiating tank on your team, or at least someone who can aid in an initiate. It will make Cho'Gath's CC so much better, and make all the difference in that deciding battle.

Pros

* You will still hit Cho'Gath's damage peak for mid game
* Will become incredibly tanky with proper farm
* Your CC will be greater than the average tank's, as you have the level advantage over 2v2 lane, where the tank normally is
* Has greater cooldown reduction, compared to full AP (unless AP has everything mentioned in prior chapter)

Cons

* You will really fall off damage wise towards late game, and your ability to turn the tide of a battle is greatly reduced

That is really the only con to this hybrid build, but it really is huge. In some games where I have gone hybrid, I think to myself that we are going to clearly win because of the mid game team fights we won. However, if it goes to late game, the other team can really catch up, especially if your team was mainly reliant on you for damage, since you are now building tanky.

If you are forced to go into the 2v2 lane, go full tank Cho. It will be about the same as the tank hybrid, except you may have to skip RoA and Abyssal. Still viable, but top lane is generally better for Cho'Gath.

When you go to lane, do not try to push at all. You want the creeps to clump on your side so you can have more effective Ruptures, and be able to gank your opponent. You can be aggressive after you have your first 3 spells, and getting injured isn't a problem with Teleport. Make sure to constantly use feast on minions, if you do not think that you can kill your opponent within the next minute. Laning phase should be a breeze for you, as you are kind of unkillable. (If you get a 2v1 lane, it is even easier. Just play passive until you hit 6, and then nail one of your opponents. You should be able to get a kill 90% of the time and win your lane everytime, unless they have some very strong 2v1 champs. Denyplank is no fun to play against, and neither is Blitzcrank.)

In teamfights, you want to attack after your tank has initiated. Cho'Gath can initiate some fights, but it all depends on your Rupture, so he is better when a fight already starts, and you just dealt at least 500 damage to 5 enemies in one attack combo :) Also make sure to save some of your spells, if you know the opponent has some strong channel ults that you want to disrupt.

Use Feast as a finishing move for their carries. Once you have your RoA and Negatron, you can pretty much just walk straight to the enemy carry and feast him, and then walk back. You can also Flash back too. Flash is also great for chasing a runner, if you can manage to hit him with a Rupture, and then Feast him while he is slowed. Feast is also great for taking Dragon if your jungler is not near, or for stealing buffs.

Remember, Cho'Gath really shines in late mid game - early late game, especially on just hitting level 16. Make sure to have your prescence felt! You can do a lot with Cho'Gath. You may even get one of those crazy teams that decide to focus you for your impeccable damage output. (Or perhaps they just can't click around your massive body ;D)

Friends

Sona is one of your best friends in the 2v2 lane. I have yet to lose a lane with a good Sona. I also have gotten more often than not, first blood with a Sona laning partner. She has very strong harass early game, and Cho'Gath's Rupture aids with that. Not to mention everyone loves her... auras.

Blitzcrank is another champ Cho'Gath loves to 2v2 with. If Blitz gets a grab off, and you see that he will, a Rupture by him will hit the opponent as soon as he comes over. Then Blitzcrank punches him, while you silence him... Bottom line is you can dish out some very potent harass with these two.

Morgana is another great champ for Cho'Gath to 2v2 with. She can hold the lane while you go off to aid with Dragon or gank. Her snare is also great in unison with Rupture and Feral Scream. Another potent harass combo.

Urgot is decent to 2v2 with, but he should be in mid or top lane. However, in team fight stage, his ult is your best friend. Once you see him starting his reversal, plop down your Rupture under Urgot. Once the swap is done, you now have a CC'd free kill for your team.

Then finally, every single jungler is your friend. Cho'Gath is quite potent in aiding ganks, as he has some pretty nice CC to follow after the initial CC from your jungler.

Oh yeah, just about every squishy enemy carry is your friend too, because they are quite delicious, and often find humor in tickling you and your 4K hp self.

Enemies

Blitzcrank is your enemy for the same reason he is your friend. Going 1v2 top lane, and having him there can be the bane of your existence until you hit your level advantage.

Denyplank is another enemy, but he is an enemy of basically every solo top champion. However, if he is in the 1v2 lane, you should be able to get a kill on him, as he is pretty squishy, and he will be close to you trying to harass you with [Parrrley]. Make sure to do it before he hits 6 though.

A good Poppy is a pain in the 1v2 lane if she has a capable partner. She will just play passively getting exp, all the while trying to deny you of gold, which you really need. If you overextend trying to melee a minion, Poppy will wall slam you, and you will regret it. However, the enemy Poppy needs to be quite skilled to pull off a strong deny.

Surprisingly, Nocturne lanes very well against Cho'Gath at top. If he is any good, you will not be able to harass him at all, as his shield will block all your Ruptures. Plus his life steal will regain the damage easily. Harassing him is a waste of time, unless your jungler is near, and you need blow his shield.

Lastly, we have Zilean. I really hate this guy in team fight stage, and in 2v2 lane. Cho'Gath's kill potential happens in a quick burst, and relies on Feast to get the kill. A competent Zilean will ult your delicious snack, and you will be denied a kill. His bombs also really hurt in inital lane phase, as Cho'Gath needs to constantly last hit minions to be effective, which gives Zilean an easy chance to bomb you.

* Cho'Gath's Rupture can break Flash if it is timed right
* Cho'Gath's Feral Scream has a slightly delayed silence
* Cho'Gath is the largest champion in the game. Feel free to stand over your carry and soak up all the right clicks :D
* Cho'Gath's Feast will land even if you aren't exactly in range of the target, but you channeled it. You can notice this especially on corners
* Cho'Gath's Rupture can actually target a little bit outside his circle. I think it has something to do with Cho'Gath taking a very fast half-step and then launching his spell
* Cho'Gath is actually a competent jungler. However, it is usually better to play him in solo lane. But, if it is one of those games where you really want to play Cho'Gath, and you don't have a jungler, feel free to use him. These videos by stonewall can be quite helpful to a beginner jungle Cho'Gath. I personally start at mini golems though Play Video Play Video

Cho'Gath has epic solo lane ability, great farm, can be tanky with or without building it, has great AP scaling, is hungry all the time, has good CC, and is the coolest looking champion in the game ;)

This is pretty much all you need to know about Cho'Gath and his various builds. He is a lot of fun to play, and is a very strong champ. The momentum he carries into mid game is huge, but remember to try and win the games sort of fast. Banshee's Veil makes Cho'Gath sad like Amumu. I hope you enjoyed reading my guide. Also, the original guide I wrote is here(There were some layout discrepancies, so that might be prettier to look at, and there were also some differences set-up wise). So now go out into Summoner's Rift and nomnomnom some Yordles!