Talon Build Guide by pattosp

Introduction

Hello all and welcome to my build on how to play Talon. The way that I play him is attack damage and critical hits and with correct execution of his skills can lead to a large about of damage. He is not a AD Carry like Master Yi or Caitlyn but rather an attack damage caster, his skills lead to kills.

Items

Mercury's Treads

Mercury's Treads are good for laning against and ability power champion or a pair with heavy crowd control. When i'm not getting Sorcerer's Shoes or Berserker's Greaves for there respective roles, I find that these are my boots of choice.

Ionian Boots of Lucidity

(Optional)
This is also a great choice for Talon since his Q ability, Noxian Diplomacy which has a relatively short cool down. With the Youmuu's Ghostblade, it totals to be a large amount of cool down reduction and Shadow Assault can become a little less punishing if activated at the wrong time.

Youmuu's Ghostblade

The ghostblade is an great weapon for Talon. It gives attack damage and critical strike which work effectively for him and also cool down reduction and armor penetration. When activated the ghostblade increases movement speed and attack speed, excellent for both team fights and chasing low enemies.

Trinity Force

Although this item is very expensive, it is very much worth it. First of all, the Sheen. Getting an extra 100% base damage is amazing when are you targeting a single target. The little extra mana in lane gives you more opportunities in lane to harass. Secondly, the Phage. Talon being an assassin, is generally lower in health then a fighter. The Phage gives you health to stop being nuked down instantly. The bonus slow is great for activating Mercy. Thirdly, the Zeal. Critical strike increase, attack speed and all that good jazz.

Infinity Edge

Another expensive item that will pay for itself quickly. The increase of attack damage, critical strike chance and most importantly the damage increase to your crits are amazing and will make you life a lot easier.

Atma's Impaler

This item was purely purchased for the armor. Atma's Impaler is one of my favorite items because the critical chance and the bonus attack, and how it is a defensive item at the same time. Pretty cheap for what it does.

Last Whisper

40% armor penetration will do a heap of damage to targets which are tanky, since you also have penetration points in you masteries and runes. Enemy Champs that try and add a little extra armor to stop you from doing much damage will find that they have wasted there money.

Frozen Mallet

(optional)
This item can be bought in place of the Last Whisper, if you feel that you need the extra health. Extra attack damage from the Atma's Impaler and constantly activates mercy

Guardian Angel

(optional)
If you are getting heaps of kills and are getting targeted in every confrontation this is a great purchase. Bonus defense in both armor and magic resistance plus a revive is a great last item.

Masteries

I'm not going to explain every mastery choice, only some of the important ones.

1/1 Weapon Expertise - More armor penetration to shred people as well as the points into Sunder .

1/1 Lethality - Adds a little extra damage to your crits and will do a heap with the bonus from the Infinity Edge.

1/1 Executioner - When they are super low, makes sure they will die faster and not run away on 6 hp >.<''

3/3 Durability - early game survivability and for you Atma's Impaler

Runes

Greater Mark of Desolation

Makes every hit sharper and more painful for your target. Plain and simple

Greater Seal of Replenishment

As I said before, I see Talon more of an attack damage caster. All of his kills are set up and executed by his abilities. You will find that someone will be running away will little health and you are out of mana. 1 more Rake or Shadow Assault to catch up to him and you are left with nothing.

Greater Seal of Armor

This is not a pure assassin build, but a more tanky version that can still do damage. Sure you can go ahead and change all the runes to attack damage, but I don't like being targeted down as soon as the team fight starts because you are that squishy.

Greater Glyph of Cooldown Reduction

Chosen to make you spam your abilities more. Lovely stuff (I just really don't now how to explain it)

Summoner Spells

Exhaust - makes sure those slippery champions like Fizz don't get away. It can be also used defensively when you are being chased since it dosen't slow you character when running.

Flash - Talon only really has 1 move that can be used to escape from combat and that is Shadow Assault which is generally used in combat. apart from Rake which makes him turn around and stop, in the end not really being worth it.

Skills

Mercy

One of my favorite passive skills and when your skill combo is executed correctly, it does a little extra damage.

Noxian Diplomacy

Does extra damage on your next auto attack. Works great with sheen and also it should be noted that it resets your attack timer so use it in between attacks when farming minions.

Rake

This is you main ability to farm minions with and to harass you enemies. It's the only ranged ability that Talon has and is great when chasing down.

Cutthroat

Used to get across the lane and to silence champions. The damage buff is good because cutthroat is activated at the start of your combo and can also be used to leap away to enemy minions when you have over extended yourself

Shadow Assault

Great AoE damage and can secure kills for your team. It is also fun to watch the enemy team react when the gank you and you dissapear, waiting to see the directions of the blades.

Skill Sequence

-> -> Cutthroat ->

When you are about to engage a target go by the order of skills above. Rake to get you passive Mercy to do a little bit extra damage. Activate Noxian Diplomacy and prevent there escape with silence and Cutthroat. Then clean up with Shadow Assault, wait for cool downs, rinse and repeat.

Farming

When you come up to a massive minion wave go straight for a Cutthroat to get into a good position to try and Rake all of them. Continue to auto attack and use Noxian Diplomacy in between attacks whenever available.

Final Words

Talon is a very fun champion to play. I get much enjoyment out of playing him and hope that this guide may make it a little easier for others to do the same.

Comments will be grateful but I doubt that anybody actually read the conclusion, I sure as hell don't.

gl & hf -Patto_sp