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Choose Champion Build:
Spells:
Teleport
Clarity
Ability Order
Sunlight (PASSIVE)
Leona Passive Ability
Introduction
1. My english is ok, but I may get confused sometimes;
2. This is my very first guide;
3. I'm not a professional player;
4. This is how I have been playing Leona so far.
Then finally:
Hello!
I'm DHyaku and I've been specializing (not to be confused with 'a specialist') in playing tanks. This means I (can't play any other type of character well) love playing them, and think I have become a decent player with them.
Unuseful data: I cleared my piggy-bank as soon as Leona came out to buy such a beautiful champion - come on, you all love the art...
I do not intend to make this 'the ultimate guide on playing Leona'.
This is just my playstyle, and I figured some other people's too, so I hope this can be of some help.
No more nonsense and on to the guide.
Leona is a great champion. Not that OP, I think, and very very useful.
Pros
- Downright diehard tank;
- Very disruptive in a team fight;
- Fantastic initiator and ganks pretty hard if you want her to;
- Good mobility (not speed).
Cons
- Low damage output;
- Can be squishy;
- Mana starved early game;
- E can get you into a bad spot.
Pros
- Downright diehard tank;
- Very disruptive in a team fight;
- Fantastic initiator and ganks pretty hard if you want her to;
- Good mobility (not speed).
Cons
- Low damage output;
- Can be squishy;
- Mana starved early game;
- E can get you into a bad spot.





I go 0/9/21.
21 in utility raises her mana, reduces cooldowns, exp gain, move speed and let's you use your summoner spells to their full potential.
9 in def raises survivability a little bit, while helping you escape that bloody Shaco that got you in the jungle when you we're switching lanes.
[Maybe thats the noob inside me, but I think the editor isn't counting the 6% CDR from the Masteries]
21 in utility raises her mana, reduces cooldowns, exp gain, move speed and let's you use your summoner spells to their full potential.
9 in def raises survivability a little bit, while helping you escape that bloody Shaco that got you in the jungle when you we're switching lanes.
[Maybe thats the noob inside me, but I think the editor isn't counting the 6% CDR from the Masteries]
This is a very personal choice, but here's my reasons:
- Helps me keep farming with
Eclipse early game without taking away my chance to initiate with
Zenith Blade +
Shield of Daybreak.
- Teleport makes you be at the right place at the right time, and I think it is essential with tanks, especially since they're usually slow and can't get anywhere on foot.
If you're an economic player and don't need it, you might consider getting
Ghost or
Flash instead of
Clarity.
Or even
Ignite though I do not reccomend it at all - don't get me wrong, I like getting kills even as a Tank, but Leona's low damage output doesn't have much synergy with it.





If you're an economic player and don't need it, you might consider getting



Or even







If you follow this build, your cooldown will be under 40 seconds and you'll be going all out Bulbassaur on your opponents.
I level


i. Starters:


ii. First Buys:



iii. Then you stop to think:
Tank builds are tricky. I think it is important to be a diehard, but you need to give the enemy team just enough reason for them to try and get you before they go for your team. That is why I make items in this order, but you have to assess the situation, always.
Try to get tank items that also give you CDR.



When a squishy in my team is getting chased down by one or more characters I frequently jump with




Activate it after you initiate and get to the middle of the enemy team for maximum performance.


iv. Others:
Here are some items that I've seen people build and that I myself build with other tank characters. My thoughts on them and how they work on Leona.

I've seen people make this item and not get boots. To me this is not an option in any tank.



In my opinion Leona is a battle tank.
She isn't optimal to push lanes as
Mordekaiser or holding towers like
Rammus and
Maokai.
She is built to battle.
You'll have a pretty hard time holding a solo lane with a jungler on your team. Leona can creep ok, but only if there is someone to keep the other champions away, since her best farming skill -
Eclipse - has a short range.
And all you can do is shield with
Eclipse and run away when that
Jax jumps in your face from the bushes after
Sion stuns you. You'll live, but no champion is immortal.
She is a battle tank. She is built to stun the squishy and let the carry guys do the dirty work.
Try to lane with a champ that has a high damage output. My reccomendations:
These are champs I've had a nice time with so far.
She isn't optimal to push lanes as



She is built to battle.
You'll have a pretty hard time holding a solo lane with a jungler on your team. Leona can creep ok, but only if there is someone to keep the other champions away, since her best farming skill -

And all you can do is shield with



She is a battle tank. She is built to stun the squishy and let the carry guys do the dirty work.
Try to lane with a champ that has a high damage output. My reccomendations:





These are champs I've had a nice time with so far.
i. Laning Phase -
Last hit a lot. Do not engage unless your laning partner has a decent amount of health and damage.
Use

ii. First Kill
That is the reason for my skill setup. I start up with

Then I get




Also, remember to signal to your partner when you do it, so he gets ahead.
iii. Farming
It gets easier once you have

iv. When to Take a Stroll
You're a tank. That means you should be helping people.
If you're having a hard time in your lane, stay and defend the turret. Let the carry do the dirty work. If you're having a good time you can help mid get a gank - if you think you should. Go in and E+Q.
Remember to keep an eye on the minimap. You can locate tight spots for your team. Don't hesitate to use your

v. Teamfights
This is where you'll be a shining light.
Step 0. Assess the situation: Do not be stupid. If you rush to initiate a teamfight you will most likely die before you can scream for your mother.
This is where you look for the closest squishy and wait for him to get close enough for Step 1:.
The order of priority is:
1. Squishies;
2. Damage dealers;
3. Annoying Supporters;
4. Tanks, just for relocation purposes.
Step 1. Engage: Initiate with blade+shield combo. REMEMBER THAT YOU WILL JUMP TO THE LAST ENEMY HIT WITH E. Please remember.
That is why I always wait until I see who I jumped towards before I press Q.
Stun the target and let your team beat the **** out of him.
And don't forget to use

If you have

Step 2. Ultimate: You'll be in the skirmishing fight, and your ult has a great range. Do not rush. Look around and identify the biggest threat. Aim and use

Even if you don't hit him straight for the stun, you'll force him to relocate, giving your team a little time.
Step 3. Stunfest: Jump around giving free samples of your EQ combo stunning the greatest threats.
If you are successful, the enemy team will focus you. You're the tank.
If they don't, they'll regret it, because they'll always be one champion short in battle, since you'll be stunning around.
Step 4. Chicken Chasing: Your fight is over. There is only that fooking Alistair running away.
Chase him with your team. When you're all close together, or when you think you can land a EQ with a few more steps, activate

And I guess that is that.
I appreciate any good criticism and intend to further develop and change the guide. If you think anything is missing, please let me know.
Also, suggestions are welcome.
No need to be angry at me. I play for fun, not for professionalism.
Thank you for taking your time and reading my guide!
I appreciate any good criticism and intend to further develop and change the guide. If you think anything is missing, please let me know.
Also, suggestions are welcome.
No need to be angry at me. I play for fun, not for professionalism.
Thank you for taking your time and reading my guide!
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