Hello this will be my first real guide and I feel that my build is working better than a lot of others I see being used in game, and I figured I should share it for all those who like the Darius play style but can't seem to find a build that works. Well this one will!

PROS
Very tanky while dishing out tons of damage.
Almost impossible to counter as a solo top.
His ult can change the outcome of many team fights.
His Q does insane damage when used correctly.
If going full armor pen like I do no one can tank you.
His passive provides a lot of damage when you learn to stack it fast.
He's the only cool Noxian besides swain?

CONS
It's hard to resist KSing every kill (witch he can do)
His pull has almost no range and must be practiced...A LOT.
If you do KS everything you will be targeted and killed though you're the tank.
Is banned in almost every ranked game as of now.
Has no escape except flash.
VERY slow champion.

Greater Mark of Desolation
These are really the only choices for Marks I use arp at the moment because I do not have AD marks but seeing as his E gives him arp AD runes are the way to go in most situations.
You can use arp runes and AD quints like me to get extra damage and that early game armor pen.


This should be the only seal you ever use for almost any AD carry in ranked, For solo top and jungle these are the best because I don't buy Wriggle's Lantern the only real sustain I have his potions but once Heart of Gold is built you get oddly tanky.


These are your only real choice going tanky besides armour glyphs witch only give 0.7 armour and would only be good for a champion like . I use MR per level for junlging since you don't gank until level 4 and are no in any danger a lot of the game they're better and use flat MR for laning to have that early tankiness to avoid deaths from ganks or anti-meta teams and you're 1v2ing top.


These are the choices for quints. I would have more information on using swiftness quints but I do not own them yet, but, as we covered before he is a VERY slow champion so these are a good choice if you're having trouble keeping up with any ranged on top or getting successful ganks. Arp shouldn't be used if you're going to use arp only use marks it's not worth it to waste quints on arp on him as he has alot of passive arp. My choice is flat AD for the early game advantage making his Q hit a lot more.

Masteries should always be personal preference while sticking to a theme. But to explain the magic pen mastery his passive is VERY powerful and does magic damage. Be aware I have not tested his passive damage with and without the magic pen as of yet I will be getting on that soon.

This item build works EVERY game, but if someone on the other team like is getting fed then rushing a might be a good choice. Thornmail for less OP champions is not really needed. Unless they are getting REAAALLLYYY fed You can just rush your .
The same works if someone like a hard hitting AP champion you should rush or .
If the team is heavy AD you should most likely buy But if they have alot of CC you should be worried about like a very long slow or at least 2 stuns or snares you should buy never buy them for silences.
Note you should not buy Thornmail or FoN untill finishing Frozen mallet.

You should always use the ability sequence shown above for jungling and laning. You need to max your first as it does insane damage and is your main source of damage.
You max 2nd purely because of the passive arp, it also has a very long cooldown at lower ranks so maxing it 2nd is providing better chasing and damage.
You max last because it is mainly used for the utility of the slow, if this was the ability with the passive arp I would max it 2nd but it's not.
You should take your ult at 6,11, and 16 like most champions.

Should always be taken as has NO escape and is VERY slow.

as for a 2nd summoner you could use
I always use ignite when top laning because ignite and his passive are very good for securing a kill.

While jungling you should obviously always use

I hope this guide helps everyone and all those who loved Darius's play style and couldn't find a build that worked for them.

NOW MY CHILDREN GO FORTH AND HUNT THE ENEMY!