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Recommended Items
Spells:
Teleport
Ghost
Items
Ability Order
Crimson Pact (PASSIVE)
Vladimir Passive Ability
Threats & Synergies
Extreme
Major
Even
Minor
Tiny
None
Low
Ok
Strong
Ideal
Malzahar
(MID)Malzahar is a death sentence for any close range carries. Including Vladimir. God forbid if you lane with him either, since he will be equally as dangerous and oppressive.
Ideal
Strong
Ok
Low
None
Introduction
I am currently a Silver player. However, I have confidence that my current position is not out of lack of understanding of the character, but of my lack of skill, which I do believe does not interfere with the making of the guide. Before one starts to doubt me over this however, note that there are people like MonteCristo, who do not actually play, but is considered to possess one of the best level of understanding of the game in the world.
However, if you find my credibility untrustworthy, you have been warned - if you need to criticize, then do so about the contents itself, and not about my ranked standings which I have already freely admitted.

Vladimir, the Crimson Reaper
-Weaknesses
|
+ Strengths
|


It is also important to have a team that can hold their own in the early game, because

As a top laner,



Note that Mid Vladimir is no longer recommended since Season 4.

Additional Notes




Finally, remember that the only point that will be emphasized in this guide will be movement speed (for an explanation, see below). All other build paths and choices should be adapted to fit the current situation.


Main Choice: |
![]() ![]() |






(Exceptions include situations such as the obvious


Alternatives: |
![]() ![]() ![]() |



A combination of














Note that taking a mobility spell on


Runes





![]() |
![]() There are no viable alternatives, as ![]() |

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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |

![]() |
![]() ![]() |

![]() |
![]() ![]() There are no viable alternatives. |


* |
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* |
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Starting Items
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Alternative #1-




Alternative #2-






Core Items
![]() ![]() |
Tier 2 boots and ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Apart from that, Vladimir works with multiple other stats, including resistances (tankiness), cooldown reduction, magic penetration (reduction), and sheer ability power. This is one of Vladimir's great strengths, allowing him to be versatile in item choices and also grants him higher scaling due to the multiplicative nature of raising multiple statistics.
Note that health is not included in the list, because Vladimir already has very good sources of health called sustain and

In consideration of these facts, the recommended core items are:
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
These four items are flexible enough to fit near all situations, and thus if ever in doubt, they can be used as a "core" build to work towards with minimal risk regardless of the situation.
Note: In the late game, it will be worthwhile to trade out


Note: The choice of Tier 2 boots depend on the situation, but the alternatives often suffer from a lack in laning potential.


Note: The same applies for enchantments. While






Additional/Alternative Items
![]() |
Good |
Recommended 5th/6th item. The reason it is purchased so late is because there are more important priorities than flat AP early on. By the time it is purchased however, it will be a highly cost efficient item that amplifies both damage and effectively health greatly (![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Good |
Recommended 5th/6th item to solve the lack of magic penetration, as everyone grows more tankier as the game goes on. Highly dependent on enemy composition, it will be mandatory in some cases, while merely optional in others. Consider switching an item out for this once having reached full build, since even ADCs will have bought a ![]() |
![]() |
Good |
While health is less than ideal for ![]() |
![]() |
Decent |
This can be used as an replacement for ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Decent |
A possible, and personally preferred substitute for a ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Decent |
Standard go to item against a heavy, or full AD composition. However, it's worth considering that ![]() |
![]() |
Average |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Average |
The recommended item of choice if one feels the need to carry - or otherwise in situations where dying would be critical, such as extreme late-game teamfights. It is also provides both armor and magic resist, which is also a nice boon. It is not cost-efficent however, and ![]() ![]() ![]() Most of the time, the passive will be used to revive into a 1v5, which would make it a pretty pointless purchase. |
![]() |
Bad |
This is a fairly expensive purchase, and while its stats are all beneficial, its passive does not exactly synergize well due to ![]() ![]() However, this may be a worthwhile purchase if one forsees some sort of dueling situation (such as splitpushing), or if the enemy AD carry is too fed and Vladimir is the only one capable of stopping him. While a mere R+DFG+EQ may not be able to kill the enemy carry, it'll at least do enough damage to zone him away for a significant portion of the fight. |
![]() |
Horrible |
Anyone who purchases this item as Vladimir is a troll. Please proceed to report after the match. On a more serious note, ![]() |
Note: There are further itemisation choices on



Regardless, remember that all builds are, and should be volaile, fitting the current situation.

The Need for Speed

TL;DR: Movement Speed is Love, Movement Speed is Life.

Laning
Between level 1~5:





Level 6:

Level 7+:
And now the flea has grown into a full fledged mosquito, complete with his own



If unsuccessful:
Turtle at your turret. You can farm more easily thanks to



Mid-Game
In general:
Stay top and push.



Make sure you keep an eye on the map for


Teamfights
Pre-engagement:


Due to this, it is important to recognise that


Fighting:





Remember to juggle enemy aggro through



Final Notes
Remember that

Finally, as


However, this does not mean you have a free pass to go reckless however you want. Rather, being reckless and feeding the enemy kills will means that you won't outscale the enemy at all, while being reckless in teamfights will lead you to dying. And you can't sustain anything if you're at 0 HP.
Learn to be calm. And sometimes, choose to do nothing. And then, reap your hard-earned bountiful rewards.

Thanks for reading. Good luck, and have fun~!

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