Hello and welcome to my guide on one of my favourite champions, Vladimir. Ever since the first time I played him on trial week I fell in love with his amazing lane control and destructive teamfight potential and he has been one of my most played champions since.

Pros

- Without a doubt one of the best laners in the game.
- 3/4 Abilities are AOE.
- Amazing in teamfights.
- Great farmer.
- Low cooldowns allow for good Sustained Damage.
- One of the best escapers with Sanguine Pool.
- Amazing lane staying power with Transfusion.
- High amount of Health and Ability Power
makes him more durable than most casters.
- Possibly the best Mid in the game.

Cons

- Until level 9 Transfusion is on a rather long cooldown.
- Shorter range than most casters.
- Slow movement speed.

Crimson Pact

One of the best passives in the game. This gives you health when you get Ability Power and Health when you get Ability Power. It basically makes all the items you buy even better by adding either Health or Ability Power. Once you finish the Core you will have alot of bonus health and Ability Power which makes Vladimir quite durable with high health.

Tranfusion

One of my favourite abilities, once it is rank 5 with Ionian Boots of Lucidity it will have a 2 second Cooldown. Combined with Rylai's Crystal Scepter this is more or less a constant long range slow. It allows awesome lane control and is without a doubt one of the best Harasses in the game. The only downer is that before level 9 the cooldown is quite long and so you can't be too aggressive before this.

Sanguine Pool

A all around amazing ability. This makes Vladimir able to be aggressive in the laning phase because if anyone trys to gank you all you have to do is Sanguine Pool under them and your safe. Throughout the Game you will be using this to make some otherwise impossible escapes. It also has some nice damage and makes Vladimir quite good at 1v1 because while he is damaging them they can't touch you because you're under them!

Tides of Blood

Another great ability. It really shines in teamfights as you can hit their entire team. One thing you have to remember is keeping the stacks up late game. The only problem with this ability is before you get Warmog's Armor the health cost is quite substantial and if you spam it you will feel it, which is why you level it last.

Hemoplague

A truly amazing teamfight abiliy. The increased damage may not seem important but adding 10/14/18% to your teams damage is outstanding and after 5 seconds it deals quite alot of damage.

Yes, I know pretty much every Vladimir build uses these items but the truth is, they just work so damn well there is no reason not to use them.

Core

Amplifying Tome

Basic starter item for Vladimir. Makes your Transfusion deal more damage and heal more damage and it builds into Rylai's Crystal Scepter.

Sorceror's Shoes

Standard caster boots. Some people like Ionian Boots of Lucidity but the amount of cooldown reduction it gives it next no nothing with Vladimir as his abilities are already very low.

Rylai's Crystal Scepter

This item is basically made for Vladimir. More health which gives more Ability Power with your passive, More Ability Power which gives more health with your passive and a constant slow with Transfusion and Tides of Blood.

Rabadon's Deathcap

A ton of Ability Power, the only problem with this item is the lack of survivability but with Vladimir this is not a problem as his Passive gets quite a bit of health from this item.

Zhonya's Hourglass

This item is truly amazing. I have overlooked it for too long and after using it for quite a few games I find it is just too good to turn down. The armor is awesome against carries and the activate allows more time for your allies to mop up the rest of the opposing team.

Situational

Void Staff

This works great against Magic Resistance stackers. If you are doing well the other team will most likely build some and if they are this item really helps with increasing your damage and the Ability Power gives more Health.

Abyssal Scepter

Great against Casters such as Ryze. Gives a good chunk of Magic Resistance and Ability which thanks to your passive gives a good amount of health. The passive is also good with Vladimir as you should be getting right in the fight.

Thornmail

Another great counter to Right Clickers. If you are getting eaten by Right Clickers pick this up and their effectiveness against you will decrease greatly.

Randuin's Omen

Great in teamfights. Basically slows their entire team. The health gives you Ability Power and the Armor shuts up Right Clickers.

Force of Nature

Been using this alot lately as many teams seem to be mage heavy. The regen is awesome with his spells and the extra movement speed gives him that extra oomph for great escapes or great finishes.

Lich Bane

Another item i've been using alot lately. I used to simply overlook it due to the mana it had but the passive is amazing. With Vladimir's low cooldowns he can proc it often giving him alot more power overall. On top of that the Movement speed helps alot for, just about anything.

These are not the only items you can use with Vladimir, just the ones I have used in my many games with Vladimir.

Reccomended

Ghost

I use this on every champion. The speed boost is amazing when escaping or chasing, combined with Sanguine Pool you can get out of just about any situation.

Ignite

Combined with Hemoplague this can easily finish off those annoying guys who get away with 10 hp. Also because I almost always Mid it really helps in killing the opposition

Other Good Choices

Teleport

I personally don't use this often but it can definitely help out throughout the game. This can save lanes, sustain pushes and score you some nice ganks.

Exhaust

Good for chasing, escaping and 1v1. As of a recent patch it now increases magic damage taken and can definitely aid in killing a enemy champion.

Flash

A great ability on almost any champion but with Vladimir your Sanguine Pool pretty much takes its place.

Cleanse

Adds to your amazing escape potential and can stop annoying stunners like Sion from getting away.

I only have the Magic Penetration Marks but if I could have all the runes I would definitely use this setup for Vladimir. Gives all the stats he needs.

Some people go with Defense but I personally don't agree with that because Vladimir really shouldn't need defense. As Vladimir you shouldn't be initiating and the high amount of health you get makes it so you are quite durable without these. I like the Utility masteries for more damage and the nice cooldown reduction on my Summoner Spells and the 9 in Offense is quite self explanatory.

Vladimir is without a doubt one of the best picks for Summoner's Rift because he absolutely Destroys in Large Teamfights. He is also without a doubt one of the best Middle Laners. He isn't too hard to learn and after a few games with him you will be a huge asset to any team. He also has the power to Carry Solo Queues.

Sorry for the Wall of Text. I don't currently have time to add any colour or pictures but I will try to when I have the time. I hope you enjoyed my build and I hope to see you out there!