You can level a skill 3 times in a row provided you're at the right level range.

^

+1 xD

Nice guide. The masteries are ok, but the runes seems a bit different from whaat i am used 2.
The items are very good, and you manage to describe why they are nice on Brand. +1

Your ability sequence goes E,Q,W,W,W. Am I ******ed or aren't you not able to level up skills 3 times in a row like that?

It isn't that odd to max Q first. It's just that every Brand maxes W first that it makes everyone else looks weird. However many Brand players do max Q and E first. Playing AP mid is a positioning based role dependant on who you're up against. In a lane against Ahri, you wouldn't stand behind creeps because you know she can Q through minions, and you'd want to drag her outside of hers or make her make a decision between you or the creeps. However, in a lane against a character like Ezreal, you'd stand behind the creeps because Mystic Shot would then not hit you, no? Mid is all about knowing what the other champion is capable of, and then outplaying your opponent in both CS and kills.

Pushing isn't that important unless you're a gank happy assassin. In lanes where I get pushed against, I'd level W first to counter push, but I tend to level Q in matchups where the enemy either doesn't push fast or I myself find it easy to zone out the enemy. Even with the level 1 boots that every mid should be taking by now, I still find it extremely easy to lead most mids into my Q. (W is also easier to dodge than Q, provided you can hit skillshots)

I guess I didn't phrase my wording properly but I'll fix that. By skillshot champions though I did mean
mostly any champion with a focus on targetable spells/skillshots, and most champions either fall into that or a farmer role. I put up a list of who I'd level E up against first in some situations, but in general you can go any way against the other champions. Brand is a potent laner so he can keep up with anyone anyhow. Like I said, this game is all about catering to your playstyle while still doing well. If you don't want to level up Q first, then you don't have to. It's just something I do and it works, so I threw it in there.

Dunno.

Seems a bit odd to max Q.
And using your own example:
Ahri's Q can go through minions, whilst yours cant. If i knew you were maxing Q people would just stick behind their minions and continue harassing you.

Second, you would have greatly reduced pushing power.



Say you're not vs skill shot champs or farmers.
What then?

I max skills depending on my lane enemy. Q is a lot easier to lead with than W is, and so it's a lot better for hitting characters that start with a lot of movement speed. It also has a higher range than skills like Ahri's Q, so you can even trade skillshots without being hit. Q also has a lower mana cost and a lower CD than his W, and does more damage to a single target if the character does not have Blaze on them, so in a lane where you need to win the harass war, Q is a pretty good pick.

As you can see, in my guide I also have a lot of characters I max W against, and because Brand is such a strong early game champ you can go either way really, but this is what I prefer. League is all about adaptation. Knowing how to adapt to certain situations is extremely good to know, but also if it fits with your playstyle, all the better.

Why would you max Q?

oooo