Jan.6.2011
- (Items Section) New information on the Ionian Boots of Lucidity by Darkchyld
- Guides & Videos sections added
Jan.10.2011
- (Item Selection) Warmog's Armour changed to Rylai's Scepter

Look forward to more updates in the future.

(This build is the day of the Jan 4th Patch update.)
What you say is important; I exhort you to comment, critique, and vote.


If you're wondering how to use Vlad, it's best to start with the links above ^^

(Also, if you have or know of videos that you think are beneficial for the Vlad community to look at and learn from, post and let me know - I'll share them on this guide)
(I'm very new to this site, I'm not sure how to put up items that you can mouse-over for a pop-up like I see in other guides - please point me in the right direction to learn how)


My Vlad build:
Meja Soul Stealer
Ionian Boots of Lucidity (15% cooldown, 2+ speed)
(optional: Force of Nature) (OR - Warmog's Armour)
Rylai's Scepter
Rabadon's Deathcap
Lich Bane
Hextech Revolver

"Q" = Transfusion
"W" = Sanguine Pool
"E" = Tides of Blood
"R" = Hemoplague

(*in this order of 1, 2)
"D" = Ignite
"F" = Ghost

AP = Ability Power
CD = Cool-down

I won't niggle on how to use Vlad. It's been done.
Vlad Strategy - by SmartxAxBSH

Laning/Unique Skills of Vlad - by Dragozero
(Also features a change-log that will fill you in on what Riot doing to Vlad these days.)

Vlad Kills - (a useful vid on Vlad)

9 x Greater Mark of Insight (= 8.55)
-- More magic penetration means that your abilities will inject a bigger stab

9 x Greater Seal of Potency(= 5.31)
-- Ability power makes for stronger spells
Note: SmartxAxBSH suggested the Greater Seal of Fortitude (5.35+ health) would give you health, which for Vlad, also means Ability Power(by the Crimson Pact) --> 2 points of ability power.
How I made the calculation --> (5.35health * 9runes = 48.15health | 48.15 / 25vladHealthToAPModifier = 1.92AP)

9 x Greater Glyph of Focus(= 5.85%)
-- Cooldown is very important for fast machine-gun-fast abilities
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3 x Greater Quintessence of Swiftness (= 4.5%)
-- Speed is very important for all Vlads. Whether it be chasing or fleeing (us Vlads do quite a bit of both), you'll need to be swift.

Concentrate on the first two items in the build before working on purchasing anything else.
An Amplifying Tome and a health potion is what I start with. Having health potions early game for safety is generally a good idea.
Note: I used to choose the 3+ in Speed b/c being fast is a crucial part of Vlad, but due to the New Year patch I tested out the Ionian Boots of Lucidity. It offers 2+ speed and 15% cool-down and it's proved very helpful to Vlad (more so than the 3+ in speed has). Take a look at the quote below.

(Jan.6.2010 UPDATE) Quote from Darkchyld:


**Update: Going straight to the Scepter instead of Warmog works better for becoming a dominator .... faster

(This is a previous post about Warmog's Armour)
After those first two items, comes the Warmog's Armour. The health, alone, that you get from the armor is worth the purchase, but don't forget the AP gained from the Crimson Pact. You'll be hard to kill after a while. I amassed over 4k health with it (think Cho)
Dragozero argues against this item, but with my build, it's been working very well for me.
Note: According to the new patch, in Warmog Armour's tooltip, you'll see what your current stats are if you hover over the item with your cursor. Tell me if you think this is helpful or not.

(Jan.10.2011 UPDATE) Quote from Darkchyld:




( I used to purchase Leviathan for a long time, but I made the switch to Warmog's Armor and I found it to be much better. Although the Leviathan stacks are nice, especially if you hit 20, Warmog's Amour is permanent health additions and it becomes much more as you fight minions and champions)

If your opponents have a lot of casters (those who use AP attacks a good deal) - buy the Force of Nature - to precede the Scepter.


1. Rylai's Scepter is a staple diet for many Vlads, and for good reason. Health, AP, and pressing "E" means that you slow whomever you hit.



2. In lieu of the Zhonya's Ring, which has been discontinued, buy the Rabadon's Deathcap
+155 AP UNIQUE Passive: Increases Ability Power by 30%
.........................(@_@)...... a lot of extra AP = a much more powerful Vlad.



If you want to destroy buildings fast - buy the Lich Bane - the turrent killer. By the time you purchase it, you'll be able to withstand turret fire pretty well with all the health you've amassed from Warmog's Armour. By this item, using any ability means that your next attack will have a lot more punch to it, use that punch on the structure you want gone.


Hextech Revolver - The Feel Good Item
-- 40AP and 15% Spell Vamp. Vampirism, magic life steal, means that using each spell, "Q", "W", "E", "R" ("D" might also), will bring you health - and "Q" and "W" already suck health. With this item, engaging your foes is even better for you.
If you get this item, and if your teammates want/need some spell vamp and 50+ in AP, you can upgrade to Will of the Ancients later in the game. (or you can purchase the Hextech Gunblade)

Should the game last for a very long time, and you have all these items, sell your boots and buy Trinity Force.
If you haven't finished your build - buy the Elixir of Brilliance (a consumable for extra AP) and use it to become more dominant on the field.

Foreword: This ability zaps your health, watch your health so that you don't overuse this ability (please stop if you're going to die (>_<)

Tides of Blood goes up to 4 stack, the higher the stack number the more health & regen you'll receive by using "Q" and "W". So, as a rule, try and press "E" before you press "Q" or "W".

Per stack, regen & healing goes up by 8% - this means:
1 stack = 8% regen & healing
2 stacks = 16% regen & healing
3 stacks = 24% regen & healing
4 stacks = 32% regen & healing

If you have low cooldown, you can get off about 2 "Q"s, then, when your stacks are about the expire, press "E" again to attack and go up in stack, then go back to using your abilities for, more health return (now that you're higher in stack).

Even if I see no enemies around, I may still press "E" if I think I'll get into combat soon. This way, my health return will nicer when I start fighting rather than losing whatever stacks I had, and having to start at 1 stack again.

I agree with DEWO when he said,

In....closing... this is a contribution for enlightenment... for the reader.. as well as myself... which means...
if there is something wrong, or anything I left out,, please let me know and I will
change it... I would hate for anyone to be 'guided' to confusion or a wrong idea...
(/_^)
__________________
Icystrider
~To Improve
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