Irelia Build Guide by Labyrinto

Introduction

Hey guys this is my first build for Mobafire, this is how I've been playing tanky DPS Irelia lately. I'm not sure if tanky DPS is still the best current metagame, I heard tanky AP is now the metagame, but either way this has been getting my great games. I know it's not the most original build, but there are some key differences to other builds I would like to point out and why I think it works better. Any constructive criticism is welcomed and I hope you guys get something out of my build.

This is not an advanced build, this is for 1000-1400ELO ranked play.

Pros / Cons

Pro's / Con's are relative to this build, not Irelia in general.
PRO'S
- Amazing DPS
- Decent health pool late game, which helps Atma's Impaler.
- You will not be targeted straight away, but don't be surprised if you end up with the most kills at the end of the game.
- Crazy chasing.
- Pretty decent initiator, if you grab Randuin's Omen and Banshee's Veil, you will be able to start a teamfight with ease using Bladesurge, then using Randuin's Omen's active.

CON's
- There is better DPS out there
- Damage lacks until around 25 minutes in.
- Doesn't truly shine until late game (I'm not saying she's useless early game, she's just a lot better once the build is complete).

Masteries

I decided that Irelia benefits more from a 21-8-1 Mastery tree, as opposed to a 9-21-0 or 8-21-1 tree. I take improved Exhaust and Deadliness on the first row, then I make sure to max out Alacrity , Sunder , Brute Force and Lethality . The other options are up to you. In the defense tree I make sure to max out Hardiness and Evasion , the dodge chance really helps early game for minions, then the rest is up to you. I finish the tree with improved Ghost in utility.

Runes

For runes, I also took a much more offensive approach. I find this helps me early game, the items can make up for it mid to late game.

Greater Mark of Desolation x 9 - for improved armor pen early game. Helps to take down those slightly tankier champs, and helps with farming too.
Greater Seal of Health x 9 - for some extra early game HP. This makes Irelia a lot more tanky and can help get you first blood.
Greater Glyph of Cooldown Reduction x 9 - Irelia loves CDR :)
Greater Quintessence of Desolation x 3 - Even more armor pen.

Skill Sequence

-> -> ->

I max out Bladesurge first, it does the most damage early game with this build and is great for chasing. Next I max out Equilibrium Strike as it does the second most damage, however I go level-for-level with Hiten Style. Max out Transcendent Blades at 6, 11 and 16 as usual.

CHASING
When chasing motherf*ckers down, this is how it goes.
Bladesurge to catch them, Equilibrium Strike to slow (or stun if their HP is lower than yours), then turn on Hiten Style for armor pen. As you chase, shoot them with Transcendent Blades for some extra damage, life steal and to proc your sheen / trinity force.

TEAM FIGHTS
In teamfights, you'll want to Bladesurge to their AP carry and Equilibrium Strike that little prick. Turn on Hiten Style and proceed to Transcendent Blades at their team until they are all dead. And believe me, they will all be dead.

Items

EARLY GAME

Philosopher's Stone

I always start with a Ruby Crystal and build that into Heart of Gold once I get 350G. This is to maximize gold generation early game. It helps if you're not solo lane although I do love taking it as Irelia, sometimes I can even get first blood. Next, I'll either grab a Philosopher's Stone, or Boots of Speed. If I'm getting kills and don't need the extra gold I'll skip Philosopher's Stone completely and just go straight on to the boots.

MID GAME

Mid game I grab Sheen, Zeal and Phage (in that order) and build them into Trinity Force (usually I'll wait around for the extra 300 to skip the Phage). Next, I build the Heart of Gold into Randuin's Omen and grab myself a Vampiric Scepter. I'll then save up 1650G for a B. F. Sword, or if I have enough, wait around the 900G for The Bloodthirster. By now you should be destroying every person you come across, there aren't many champions who can 1v1 Irelia at this stage.

NOTE: I added Banshee's Veil if the other team has a lot of CC or a lot of MR. Usually Irelia can get away without much MR, but sometimes she needs it. It is an optional item.

LATE GAME

Late game you can pretty much get whatever you want. I usually get Madred's Bloodrazor and Atma's Impaler, however it really doesn't matter. Other good options are Guardian Angel, Force of Nature, even Infinity Edge or Youmuu's Ghostblade.

Thanks!

That's pretty much it. I hope you got something out of my guide, please give me some positive feedback as to how I can improve this build. I will be adding some more chapters on such as good laning partners (even though I think Irelia should solo), ranked play and so on.

Peace out! And remember, balance in ALL things.