This is my first guide on LoL. I've been playing for a while now and finally found my champion, Vladimir. I win most of my games I play with him and have little to no deaths. I usually play pretty safely and try not to over extend much or take on 2-3 champs at a time by myself. Although when I'm playing Vlad that is not an issue. :) This is the build I use, it's very simple and can be used in 9/10 of your games. Because I haven't done any ranked games I'm not entirely sure how it will fare in them, but I know that even if the rest of my team feeds them I still have no problems killing them.

(I don't know how to link items in guide yet, if anyone can comment and let me know how I will fix it)

Most of the time I start with amplifying tome and a health pot and go mid. First few levels just take it easy. Last hit minions. Get a kill if they over-extend and get low on hp. Vlad is easy to make them think they are controlling the lane and let them get overconfident when they only have 1/4 hp, then take the kill.

If you know you may be mid against someone that has skillshots/ground aoes you may need to dodge (brand/malz/ez/morgana for instance). pick up your starter boots and some extra health pots. It will help you stay in your lane til 9 much easier.

By level 9 Vlad really ramps up with a spammable Q and easy turret diving. By now they are scared and turret hugging, or hoping to gank someone at top/bot. but because you usually have a kill or 2 on them they are nearly useless and under leveled. At 9 I "B" and go get my Hextech Revolver and Sorcerer's boots. If you have had a lucky early game you can even start working on rylai's. Then go to gank top/bot wherever they are pushing most or punishing your team the most. you can usually wipe out both of their champs and get some good gold in the process. Hold Mid as much as you can and try to not let team fights break out too much this early in game. you want to finish your rylai's and will of the ancients before any big team fights. Your "W" will then slow the team to near uselessness. you will be buffing your team with your aura from will of the ancients, and you will have some excelent life steal to be able to spam your abilites without taking away half of your own hp.

IF the opposing team hasn't surrendered and you actually get to late game, get a rabadon's and watch yourself 2-3shot squishies. Use your ult early in team fights. then Q to get that hp back. before W to slow their team for easy kills. If you can use E as much as possible to keep the extra regen/life leach up, along with doing some massive aoe damage by this point. I have had several games where I can single handedly hold their entire team on the platform while ours wipes up their turrets/inhibs for the win.

optional: if your team still isn't doing so hot get a warmogs to keep you alive during fights. it also synergies with your E so well you will be nearly impossible to kill.