Hello everyone. This is my first guide and it is a work in progress. In short, this guide will encompass all of the different ways Vladimir can be played, whether it be offensively, defensively, or even as a speedy sustain burst spellcaster. I will also be explaining when these specific builds are useful depending on the situation you may be in or the opponents you may be facing.

There are a total of 5 viable builds currently and a few experimental ones that I am currently testing. The following list is a brief description of each build ordered from first to last.

VIABLE BUILDS
Build 1: This build provides a typical AP carry style Vladimir.
Build 2: This build is a super CDR (40% max) tank Vladimir build.
Build 3: This is a super CDR (40% max) sustain and CC build.
Build 4: This is a tanky yet offensive CC build that provides a balance of stats (my personal Favorite)
Build 5: This build provides an off tanky offensive AP carry

EXPERIMENTAL BUILDS
Build 1: This is a super CDR (40% max) and tanky build that still provides some damage.

Marks

Greater mark of Insight x9: Quite possibly the only viable mark on Vladimir.

Seals

Greater seal of Resilience x9: Good if you are facing an AD champion in a solo top or mid lane.
Greater seal of Endurance x9: only effective over Greater seal of Vitality x9 if you build roughly over 4k HP.
Greater seal of Vitality x9: In my opinion, the most viable seal for Vladimir in most situations.

Glyphs

Greater Glyph of Potency x9: A decent choice for early game even after the Hecarim patch nerf.
Greater Glyph of Force x9: A great choice if you intend on having more power late game.
Greater Glyph of Focus x9: a good choice if you want high CDR early game.
Greater Glyph of Celerity x9: A great choice if you want max CDR late game.

Quintessence

Greater Quintessence of Potency x3: A good choice for early game.
Greater Quintessence of Transmutation x3: A great choice for heavy life sustain.
Greater Quintessence of Fortitude x3: An alright choice for early game sustain.
Greater Quintessence of Endurance x3: An alright late game choice if you have 3.5k HP or more.
Greater Quintessence of Vitality x3: An alight late game choice if you have 3.5 HP or less.

Offensive Masteries: 21/9/0
Pros: Great damage output potential.
Cons: Low amount of CDR and rather squishy.

Defensive and CDR Masteries: 9/21/0 (My personal favorite)
Pros: Decent damage output potential, High amount of CDR, and rather tanky.
Cons: Does not provide a high damage output potential.

Sustain and some CDR Masteries: 9/0/21
Pros: Great for 1v1, has high sustain, and has a decent amount of CDR.
Cons: Does not provide a high damage output potential, could have more CDR, and is rather squishy.

Starting items

Regrowth Pendant + 1 Health Pot: Totally awesome items to begin with because it allows you to spam "tides o blood" and have insane lane sustain.
Boots of Speed + 3 Health Pots: Decent items to start with, they provide a good amount of health at your discretion and some move speed which allows you to pull off more "transfusions" without getting caught.
Amplifying Tome + 1 Health Pot: Ok starting items that provide some extra damage but not exactly what is necessary for early game. I do not recommend to begin with these items because Vladimir requires more sustain for early game.

Early Game items:
Sorcerer's Shoes: Good item if your enemies are unable to inflict high amounts of damage upon you.
Boots of Lucidity: Great defensive item as it reduces all of your cool-downs by 15%, choose this item if you are having trouble sustaining yourself in lane.
Hextech revolver/Will of the Ancients: Will of the Ancients is a core item for Vladimir and should be finished right after the boots of your choice.
Spirit Visage: Great item but is only necessary if you are still unable to sustain yourself in lane. I do not recommend to use this in any final build for Vladimir.

Mid Game Items:

Build 1
Pro: Massive Damage potential upon multiple targets and decent CC.
Cons: Squishy and low amount CDR.

Build 2
Pro:Very tanky and has the max amount of CDR
Cons: Low damage output potential and low amount of CC.

Build 3
Pro: Great 1v1 lane sustain, max CDR, and decent damage output potential and decent CC.
Cons: A bit squishy.

Build 4
Pro: medium to high Damage output, decent defense, and medium CDR (25%) and CC
Cons: The only fallback is that this build does not make Vladimir a professional in either his offensive nor his defensive stats, but it does provide a good balance.

Build 5
Pro: Decent defense and Medium to high damage output potential.
Cons: Low amounts of CC and CDR.