Play Video Vladimir is my main and i feel the guides that are posted are inadequate and outdated. So this is my guide. Hope you enjoy. The guide by Phreak is not bad either.

Plain and simple.Greater Mark of Insight for the offensive,Greater Seal of Fortitude andGreater Quintessence of Fortitude for early game survivability andcooldown glyphs for your skills especially your pool and ult.

When i began playing Vlad, i wondered to myself why not 9-21-0? I mean it does help you survive and reduces damage. As i played more i switched to 9-0-21. The movement speed, reduce cooldown and increase exp is extremely useful. As a caster, Vladimir has low movement speed thus the mastery and ghost. reduced cooldown allows you to pool more often and annoy more people. The increased exp is self explainatory.

Rylai's Crystal Sceptor: I cannot stress how important of an item rylais is. In solo lane (yes u should take solo) you should farm until you have enough at least for a blasting wand before you recall. Im not telling you to hang around with 3 hp for that 50 extra gold, but you should be able to farm 860 gold before you bluepill.
Ionian Boots of Lucidity: You need boots. Who doesnt. Ionian boots on Vlad, it would seem, is the best. Magic pen boots are viable too.
Mejai's Soulstealer: This is an item I did not include in my build. I feel stacking is too dangerous and the outcome is never certain. However, if you have balls, by all means purchase the item.
Rabadon's Deathcap: You get this item for the AP. This item will put you over the top and make you the killing machine that you are.
Zhonya;s Hourglass: Team fights are errupting everywhere. You definitely need the survivability. That is where this item comes to play. Combine this item with Pool, you are damn well invincible.
Abyssal Sceptor: This item is great for two reasons. One, it provides the mr for u to survive. Two, it increase your damage output.
Void staff: This last item could be anything but if your game has lasted this long, that means your role as a grim reaper has not been fulfilled. Thats where void staff comes to play. However, you can replace that item with anotherDeathcap orWarmog (highly not recommend) for the final battle. Dont forget the elixars as well.

Transfusion: You must get this skill whenever available. It heals and damages. It is your bread and butter
Tides of Blood: This is your second skill max, not pool. Reason are below
Saguine Pool: max this last.

*Always upgrade your ultimate like a normal person.

OK why Tides of Blood maxed second? Unless you are a spamming idiot who keeps pooling everytime you see someone, one point in pool is fine. Play smart and that way you will maximize your damage potential. Alot of people understimimate tides of blood. It is a deadly tool. It can help you get the kills you want/need. One point in pool, max everything else. Moving on. Two more things i want to touch on. How to spam your skills. Normally you should poke until your opponent is halflife. Then ult (if you must), tides of blood (TID), transfusion, pool, transfusion, TID and ignite if necessary. If you feel uncomfortable with the amount of life ur opponent has, ult first and do increased damage. Try not to open with pool unless you are slowing so your teammates catch up. Pool is precious and should nvr be wasted. Secondly, how to use ult. If you can ensure a kill one v one with ult do so. If you are not sure, dont. Save it for a team fight. During a team fight, you MUST drop your ult first. Let your team do increased damage while you execute your spamming sequence.

Ghost +Ignite is the best possible combo.Flash +Cleanse is also viable. All the other spells are useless on Vlad. Why is Ghost + Ignite the best? You can kill, you can escape, you are the crimson superman. Ghost is excellent for mobility when you enemies are escape or if they are chasing. Ignite to wrap up the job.

From lvl 1 - 6/7 you are pretty vulnerable. Do not think you are god (yet). Against good solos such as ashe or corki, try to farm with ur Q and avoid getting hit. Keep farming until you get your ult, that is when you are at best. Try to anticipate the skill shots such as crystal arrows and missiles from ashe and corki respectively. Pool when you feel they are about to launch their ****.

Vladimir is one of the most OP characters in the game if used properly. Dont sully his name. Learn to use pool at the right time. Dont be afraid of tower diving.