Hello, my name is 5tuntm4n and I am a "Gold I" top lane main. My AP Alistar guide was based on ranked games I played. This guide is 100% legit so without further ado, take a look at the guide I have created.

PROS

CONS

Standard rune page.

Scaling Armor Seals - I take this for the high amount of armor it gives, great for late game.
Scaling Magic Resist Glyphs - I take this because of the stats.
Magic Pen Marks - Extra burst potential, good for people trying to build magic resist.
AP Quints - It's overpowered.

Max W (deals more damage than Q, for extra burst)
Max Q second (extra burst damage)
Max E last (Too mana costly early on to be maxed)

As Alistar, you can choose to max W or Q because the damage it does is fairly even although with W, your harass does more damage. Keep in mind Q is better for teamfights.

Power Spikes

Level 2 - Upon reaching level two, try to get off your W-Q combo and an autoattack. The combo alone deals 170 damage (more with ability power). Reaching level two before the opponent and landing this combo will chunk a third of a regular top laners health.

Level 6 - Your ultimate allows you to easily outduel your opponent (for the duration). Try and squeeze in a first back upon reaching this power spike for the extra stats. Catalyst or a Sheen could be purchased.

Level 11 - Pop your ult, land your combo, if your target is low enough, this could easily be a kill.

RoA, Lich Bane, and DFG - Ward their jungle and try to find the enemy ADC. At this point of the game, a DFG into your full combo is an instant kill.

A must for Alistar, big plays are possible with Flash if you can pull it off

Good for backdooring once you get your LB.

Wouldn't recommend, but still a possibility if you want the extra burst potential.

Flash is better.

Combos are very important if you want to be a good Alistar. Some tricks are listed below with a rating showing how hard it is to pull off.

Headbutt Knockup - Use Headbutt and immediately follow up with Pulverize, a good gap closer and teamfight AoE ability. This trick requires fast fingers and overall skill. [Silver]

Flash Headbutt - With proper positioning, you can Flash in front of your target and Headbutt them back (good for picks, tower hugs, tower sieges, etc.). This trick requires good positioning and fast fingers, giving the enemy time to react will ruin this trick. [Silver]

All In Combo - For a good burst combo, try popping your ultimate/DFG, following up with "Headbutt Knockup", Sheen proc, wait for the cooldown to come back up, use your heal and use another Sheen proc. Use Ignite if you can. To actually kill the enemy , you will need a good technique and overall skill to pull it off. [Gold]

During this time, you will need to farm, harass your opponent, and bully them out of lane. Use your level two power spike to chunk them down. Start with a Doran's Ring/Flask and HP/Mana potions.

Fool your opponent into thinking you're weak, let them shove up to your tower. When they approach, clear the minion wave as fast as you can (Save Headbutt), and Flash Headbutt them into your tower. If you have Pulverize, make sure you use it when they are under the tower.

Laning Phase Goals: Farm, make opponent lose CS, get kills

As of right now, your splitpushing is kind of weak (especially if you are missing LB). It is best to group with your team and siege dragons and cause pressure. However, upon reaching your RoA/LB spike, splitpush to create lane pressure. Group with your team when Teleport is down.

In a fight, you always want to be in the front trying to disrupt as much as possible. Remember, always fight only if your ult is up. You are squishy without it. Focus on peeling for your carries, and bursting theirs'.

Mid Game Goals: Pressure lanes, rush LB, force fights

You are a force to be reckoned with, group with your team and siege towers. You can afford to tank towers and sustain the siege with E. Fight with your ult up. Delayed fights will be hard to win because you are kind of useless when your ult is down. With a full AP Alistar build, you are very squishy. Try and rush fights and kill the carries as fast as you can.

Baron fights will be a breeze. Just zone enemies (especially the jungler) and let your team focus baron. Fight them once your team is done.

Late Game Goals: Continue to force fights, take barons and dragons, build your lead, end the game

Thanks for taking a bit of your team to learn a bit about how to play Alistar. Leave a like if you learned something or you enjoyed it, feel free to dislike it if you don't but be sure to leave a comment telling me why.

Thanks for reading,
GoN out!