Graves is a very strong champion from early levels to late game. He is a very safe pick with a good escape and does plenty of burst damage. He has many of the other AD's mechanics into one overwhelming entity. His Q is like MF/Ashe/Cait Q combined, his E is like Vayne tumble plus Tristana steroids. Plus he can do exchanges very well because of his passive which makes him more tanky than any other ad carry. THIS GUIDE IS HEAVILY BASED OF CHAOX's Guide From TSM.

I take typical ad marks, armor seals. I like to take half scaling half flat magic resist because already at level 11 the scaling will be better than flat. Also there isnt much damage comming from ap when your bot lane.
I take flat armor because In laning phase you will want to trade with the other ad because you have your passive.
l like to take the one movement speed quint because movement speed is always good and makes you able to escape ganks easier, chase better and it's overall good.

You might be asking yourself why do you go 21/01/08? I go this instead of the standard 21/09/ and 21/00/09 because I like havving the mana regen it helps me in late game when I can spam his buckshot a little more and Meditation is HUGE for Graves, since I've always ran dry on mana in long drawn out team fights. I don't take the one point in the buff because as an ad carry you barely get any buffs early game even mid game you barely get any.

THIS IS HEAVILY BASED OF CHAOX's guide:
Boots and 3 pots is necessary if you're laning with a non-sustain support such as Blitz, Leona or Janna. Boot3x has become extremely popular recently due to it's high mobility, which opens up a lot of defensive/aggressive options in the laning phase. It's honestly a breath of fresh air compared to the stagnant/farming Dorans v Dorans matchup.

Pro: More skill based, can out-play enemies that run Dorans.
Con: Can die very easily to level 2 jungle ganks. You spend 105G on pots.

Doran's is still good as hell, if you have a sustain support, then be my guest. Dorans still offer great pushing/trading potential, also easier last hitting, which is always good.

Pro: Very tanky vs ganks, can push very fast, can trade hit for hit.
Con: Not very mobile, can only really capitalize on "mistakes" instead of out playing.


First trip back/Early game goals(Recommended 1200G~ if Dorans first, 1300G~ if Boots first):
Try to get double dorans to survive ganks and a vampiric scepter

Try and get B.F Sword as soon as possible, skip unnecessary Doran's Blades, since it will get you your Blood Thirster and late-game so much quicker.

Since Graves gains so many defensive stats from his passive, I found buying strictly offensive items better for his damage, while relying on the lifesteal for defense.

Having BT, PD and IE with 2 Dorans as opposed to QSS or GA at this point makes you do significantly more damage with similar sustainability in fights.

Flash is a must on graves!
You can take either on the second slot, ignite,heal or cleanse.
I personally prefer heal but if the other carry has ignite try to pop heal before they ignite you.

In the early game, you should be focused on farming, at this state, you should be stronger than most other ad carrys with your passive. You can force exchanges when your passive is at its full stacks, most of the time you will come out on top.
During the WHOLE GAME: DO NOT ENGAGE WITH HIS QUICKDRAW!!! NEVER ENGAGE! As an ad carry you should ALWAYS be in the back and not engage!
In a team fight try to use all your abilitys and move side to side with your quick draw! NOT TOWARDS THE WHOLE ENEMY TEAM!