These are the builds I find myself most commonly using with Vlad. I usually use the first and my friend usually uses the second. Because of the huge nerf where they raised Vlad's cooldown on transfusion, I might start taking the CDR boots, but we'll see how things work out.

I used to stack Sanguine Pool, but realized that it was so pointless and you only end up using it to either slow someone or get away and not to do damage.

I've been playing as Vladimir since before I was level 20 and I believe I have found his perfect items. Between the two builds above, you will amaze yourself at how powerful you can be at level nine, or even just after you get your hextech revolver.

Here, you're going to want to start building your Hextech revolver/WotA by buying an Amplifying Tome and grab a health potion while you're at it. Put a point in Transfusion and head out to your lane. Vlad can go mid/top if you would like, as he's an excellent midder and an even better solo laner.

Things to be wary of

• Vlad is really squishy and has long CDs at the beginning. Don't get cocky and if you're getting raped, try to spam Q as much as possible to heal yourself up. One of the things I find myself doing a lot is not being aggressive enough and I get dominated in mid sometimes because of it. Transfusion every chance you can get. Scare your opponent. Early game is just fear with Vlad and if you can't scare your opponent, you better be damn good.
• Ganks. This is a common thing as a top/solo laner, whoever you're playing as. WATCH THE CHAT BOX. There have been so many times I've lost entire games because I didn't see an mia call, then I got ganked and dominated on in mid.

Harassment is a super important part in playing as Vladimir early game. If you can widdle your opponent down to a small enough amount of HP, you could feasibly Sanguine Pool under them, pop ignite and run away. If you have the opportunity, get some hits on the turret, but Vlad can't do much when it comes to taking turrets. This is pretty much it for early game.

Once you're level nine, Transfusion should be maxed out and if you're doing well, you should be almost done or have your Will of the Ancients, your boots, and should be working on your Crystal Scepter. At this point, you should have, or be getting some kills. Make an attempt to push a few turrets.

Now that everyone is around level 10, the team fights should start happening. Try to bounce in and out of the fight. As Vlad, you WILL get focused, so you want to drag as much of that focus as you can onto the tank or the squishy AD carry (trollface.jpg). If you are getting focused and the other team is too fed, you can still pull yourself to the top. Grind up in a lane, steal kills, and try to feed yourself as much as possible. Once you have your Rabadon's and you're level 18, you will be unstoppable. Your job as the AP carry is to destroy the enemy carries with insane burst damage that would scare Chuck Norris. Once the carries are out of the way, rape the support (ah, the oh-so rapeable support characters) and finally, the tank. Your AD carry(s) will be much better at searing through that armor and health than you are, though, so you should for the most part leave it to them.

There's not much to sum up. I'm really not that amazing at LoL but I do pretty well with this build. Basically if you play smart and you're pretty good you should have no problem pumping out a few nice fun kills.

I'm gonna make a video soon here so that should be pretty good but yeah! This is my first guide.

Criticism is welcome, now go out and rape!

UPDATES

5/12/11 Changed the item build drastically. Added Warmog's in place of Abyssal Scepter, changed Gunblade to Will of the Ancients and switched buying order around.