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Anivia Build Guide by

When hell freezes over...

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Anivia Build Guide By Updated on

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Ability Order

Anivia Passive Ability

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WARNING!

GUIDE WILL BE ARCHIVED AS OF APRIL 15TH 2012!
IF YOU WANT TO ACCESS THIS GUIDE AT A LATER DATE, PM ME FOR A LINK

Welcome!

Congratulations, you just bought Anivia the Cryophoenix!

So, you got sick and tired of playing mid against this champion; and let's face it, you wanted your chance at using the greatest passive that this game has to offer. Time to learn what to do with such an exceptional champion.

Pros & Cons: The Ups and less-Ups of your Bird of prey

This sections is essentially the reason why you are playing this champion and the things you are willing to put up with to play as Anivia.

Pros and Cons of Anivia

+ Quite possibly the best passive ability in the game.
+ A double damage harrasing poke, with a stun!
+ A multi-use Utility ability.
+ An Area of effect ultimate that applies slows to movement speed and attack speed.
+ A great set of combo abilities centered around your nuke ability.
+ Amazing ability to control the momentum of the enemy team by using crowd control combinations.
+ An exceptional fight starter with the combination of for poking and for baiting.
+ Can easily be switched to fit both Ability Power Nuke and Support depending on the needs of the team.

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- Although you have it is actually very weak early game.
- Very hard to farm minions early game with auto attacks.
- Using abilities early game without mana regeneration items or a large mana pool will leave you helpless.
- Even with mana related items, you may still find yourself out of mana without receiving the blue buff.
- An extremely slow champion even with boots.
- TAKES A LOT OF TIME TO MASTER FULLY
- Easily countered and eliminated with crowd control.
- Can be wasted without the help of teammates.

Runes: Grab your stones!

When it comes to runes and masteries it is good to remember that they are the most important factors in the early part of the game. If you don't agree, look back to the days when you were a low level summoner playing against a level 20+ summoner. It always seemed like they were invincible. When you look at the stats you can see that each rune section comes close to a first tier item. I'm sure you can begin to understand what I'm talking about. I am a firm believer that you should build your runes and masteries for early game and let your items and levels take care of the rest of the game. So on that note...

Start off Anivia's runes right by making them "potent."

I've selected the runes of potency in their most proficient groups, leaving marks for magic penetration. This way you will start the game off with an extremely powerful set of abilities. At levels two and three your - combo will be overwhelmingly strong.

Mana is always a problem with Anivia, the regeneration per level will help with this constant issue.

By keeping your marks aimed at ensuring magic damage penetrates your target, all the starting ability power you have will be more effective. It is very hard to even consider another type of mark.

Alternative Rune Substitutions

greater seal of knowledgegreater seal of vitality

greater glyph of knowledge

greater quintessence of knowledge

Pick from this list if you are finding that your game needs a boost in any of these categories. Go ahead and give them a try! I'm not going to tell you that one rune is always better than another, because runes and masteries are something that you need to select to fit the way you play your champion. This list is however, the only runes that I would say are worth considering.(All of these are "primary" runes)

I'm sure a few of you have noticed that I did not include Cool-down reduction runes; the reason being that since you have such massive control over the speed of an enemy, you shouldn't need to worry about your ability's cool-downs that much.

Masteries: the other pre-game preperation.

When you are trying to be the nuke-heavy aggressor as a fed Anivia, this mastery tree selection is going to give you the biggest "bang for your buck." Focus heavily on ability damage output in the offensive tree to ensure your icy prowess and pick up mana regeneration, buff duration and slight movement speed in utility. Leave that defensive mastery tree alone!

Obviously you can see a huge shift in thought with this mastery selection. You want to keep that magic pen and flat ability power from the offensive tree, but focus the larger amount of your points on utility. Congratulations, you just became the most viable utility champion around, by selecting those masteries you will be able to hold your own even when your focus is on assists.

Summoner Spells: Oh, what to do - what to do...

Flash: The tiny little jump that saves and condemns the most lives in LoL, A very important spell when you happen to be using one of the slowest champions. This is going to come in handy very often for landing finishing moves, re-positioning after , or for jumping walls of ice you have created.

Ignite: A reasonable "coup de gras" for any opponent in a one versus one fight. This should be used offensively and to finish an opponent, with a maximum damage of 70 - 410 true damage it is practically another ability.

Clairvoyance: When playing a support champion this does so much, so often, that you can't help but have it. Stop face-checking those bushes and save some lives!

Teleport: Since you stand the chance of playing the utility role, you might be asked to help hold a turret with that area of effect slow of yours. This is an important spell for getting to the front lines as soon as possible.

Alternative Summoner Spells

and : These are essentially opposites of each other. So do you want to go fast, or do you want them to go slow?
and : Assure survival especially for such a slow champion.
: As far as I am concerned this is the most under-rated spell in LoL. This is something I believe is necessary for almost all begining Anivia players. The massive ability sustain it gives you at early levels will save the lives of you and your team while ensuring extra spamming of abilities. (A great utility that many people discount) Do you want to be able to use 3 - 4 abilities? Not to mention allowing your teammates to do a few more abilities as well.

* * *
Clarity does not replace the blue buff, it is only a momentary mana boost. Take the blue buff as often as possible or you will be useless to your team!
* * *

Again, summoner spells are something that will probably effect how you play the game, not necessarily how the champion works.

Skills: The what, when, and where

Time to learn all those nifty little tricks that come along with the Cryophoenix

Rebirth is (in my experienced opinion) the best passive ability in LoL. It can cause enemies to over-commit to an incredibly foolish attack that leads to them, or their entire team, being wiped from the fields of justice.

Early game due to the negative defensive bonuses, it is wise to stay near a tower forcing your opponents to tower-dive you to kill your egg; however, after the defensive bonuses shift in your favor, feel free to be a leader in the movement of your team. Your ability to Poke with your other abilities, or draw attention with this ability, makes you a great initiator.

If your egg has been used and is on cool-down, don't be ashamed of playing a bit safe. there is nothing wrong with ending a game with zero deaths.

Flash frost is a great ability for a few reasons:

-Poke: An ability that can lower enemies health from a long distance away. (Useful when both teams are having a stand-off)
-Area of effect crowd control: It has both a slow and stun that can effect the entire enemy team under the right circumstances.
-Double damage combination with the right amount of timing. Allowing the ice ball to barely pass your opponent before re-activating it will damage with the pass-over and explosion of the ability.
-Applies "chill," the necessary pre-cursor to your nuke ability.

This is probably going to be the most challenging ability for most beginning Anivia users to master; however, Crystallize can be an extremely useful utility to the prepared summoner. Crystallize creates a large perpendicular ice-wall that can block the path of any summoner who does not have the ability to flash or jump.

Here is a picture that can explain the angles that Crystallize can and cannot be used.

The blue represents the angles that you are able to use Crystallize and the red represents angles that you cannot use it. Basically, anything perpendicular to a line running straight out from Anivia is a possible wall placement.

Something else that needs to be mentioned is: Crystallize reveals Fog of War around where it is placed. If you are playing in lane and fear the gank of an enemy, don't feel bad about using it to reveal what is hiding in a near-by bush. At level five, this ability grants an extremely large field of vision.

BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE! The cold icy dynamite that will kill when timed perfectly. This is Anivia's nuke ability; when used after a "chilling" ability it will do double damage. (No, and do not "chill" enemies; neither do other champions with slows, for example: or ) So, if the damage of this ability is doubled when combined with another of Anivia's offensive abilities, why would you ever want to use this ability alone? When this move deals double damage it is one of the strongest one-click abilities in the game.
Here is an example of a combo you could try using. It is a bit tricky because your timming has to be perfect, by launching at an opponent and using right before it hits; you have a rather surprising amount of damage for a low amount of mana used.

Another easy combination is to stun your enemy with and while they are motionless hit them with .

With massive Area Of Effect damage combined with a slow and "chill" effect, this is going to effect the flow of the game in your favor. With this ability you can decide where fights happen and where your enemies will move. This Ability is great for pushing lanes, and for momentary slows and damage. You will find this is also the easiest way to set up a combo with your nuke ability . Try not to leave this ability on for an extended period of time as it drains a pretty hefty amount of mana. I find that it works best when toggled on and immediately off in many situations.
Here is a video of a full ability combo based on the slow/damage of this ability used right after

Lastly, a few random but helpful hints:

Anivia has a rather long-ranged basic attack. Although it is weak, don't be afraid to pester enemy champions or last-hit minions with it.
Don't focus so much on minion kills, your quarrel is with the enemy behind them. Last hit with basic attacks, but save those abilities for a game changing combination of death.
Don't waste on minion waves until about level twelve, that way you will have high enough ability power and mana to justify its use.
Be very careful about your positioning in fights. Over-extending will get you caught thanks to your slow movement speed and keep you out of range for help. Hiding in the back of a fight will only make your abilities useless for your team.

Items: More then just ways to use gold

*DISCLAIMER*

Thanks to the spottiness of the stat calculator in relations to passive abilities and passive effects from items, the stat calculator on this build is not accurate.

The Talons of the Cryophoenix

Each of these items has their own particular place in this build, so here is the run-down.

: With speed and Magic Pen, these boots will help you to get around and allow you to take down squishies as if they had no magic defense at all.
: By picking up catalyst the protector early game, you will be able to sustain yourself every time you level up. This item is a huge mana, ability power, and health boost when it is at its full capacity. (725 mana, 80 ability power, and 630 hitpoints) The fact that this item grows in strength over the next ten minutes will make you more of a threat as the game continues.
: This is almost always the base item for ability power nukes. With the highest flat ability power boost, and the 30% jump on overall ability power; this is an essential item for this item set.
: If you feel like you just cant go back to base to heal, go ahead and pick this up. It will give you some quality sustain and assist your team as well. A solid item to help the team.
: By purchasing Kage's lucky pick early in the game, you will get a casual gold boost during the game. The end thought behind this item is it's active ability. Use this item as another ability to match the effectiveness of . When I use the item I place it in the "5" slot, this will be the easiest location for your finger, since you tend to "dump" your abilities in combination with your "R" move .
: A percentage based magic penetration is always nice when you have very high magic defense enemies to deal with. This item gives you the edge over most enemy champions.

Utilize the Crystallize, a helping... Wing

All these items are peticularly set around keeping this support bird in the fight as long, and as effective, as possible.

: While running support anivia you are going to want to be all over the place helping teammates. These boots will keep people from catching you regularly. Combined with the active of you should never get caught.
: As mentioned before, this is a great all-around item for your frozen bird. In this build it is helping to add to the hit-points and mana without sacrificing ability power.
: This will be the main source of damage output for this build, we want to keep Anivia filled with mana so she can stay usefull to her team, without making her abilities damage-less.
: Helping to boost her survive-ability and sustainability with mana, this item will help to keep the previously squishy bird from dying to simple enemy abilities. The shield will stop initial crowd control, helping her to escape normally fatal situations.
: With a massive mana and and cool-down reduction, this will greatly aid in the spamming of abilities. The combined armor of and the magic resistance of will give Anivia a reasonable defence in and out of .
: This item will give you great gold bonus the longer you hold onto philosopher's stone and a great team bonus with the item's active. The over-all regeneration effects of this item late game will be a nice buff to an already beefy item build.

Items: Try it before YOU buy it

Many of these items are reasonable changes depending on your play style, I would consider replacing only one or two of these with items in my personal build, but how you play determines your actual item choices.

Alternative Items (offensive)

: Good abiltiy power and magic resist with decent aura; great for a tanky Anivia
: A medium effect item with a reasonably decent amount of magic penitration, a good early to mid-game item.
: If you are looking to keep up ability power and grab some tenacity, this is a good choice.
: An expensive but very well rounded item that works great with Anivia's range and ability power, the added movement speed is a great bonus.
: Yes, you already have a slow, but why not add another 15% to them. The added hit-points and ability power are a nice touch for your squishy bird.
: A strong ability power item combined with reasonable defense, and an active ability that passes off aggression to your teammates for 2 seconds. You already have so try to make your reason for buying this item its ability power+armor.
: The cheep combination of this item's stats is a nice boost all-around for Anivia.
: Designed for early game, this item does not build into anything, but can be a nice over-all boost to start the match. I am not a fan of Doran's items for a few reasons: I don't like the lack of advancement, and the unnecessary hp on a bird that can . However, some will argue that stacking a few of them can fill all of Anivia's needs. As for me, I try and pick items that build into something long-term.
: The potential for very high ability power and possibly high cool-down reduction is always nice. However, this is a high risk item that you should only use once you are comfortable as Anivia. If you plan to be in every team-fight this will probably work out for you on a regular basis. Playing safe will have its advantages. If you are highly aggressive or use you for area of effect slows, this might pay off big.

Alternative Items (defensive)

hextech sweeper

: If you are dead set on being forced to die three times or simply have a well-rounded defense, this is probably your best bet.
: Great armor with a very usefull passive. I only advise using this when the majority of the enemy team is low-health/high attack damage.
: A great item when playing the support role, the combination of utility and health is a nice advantage for you and your team.
: If you play it safe, this can only make you tankier.
: Tons of health, but a rather plain item. When it comes to Anivia I personally find this item lacking over-all.
Hextech sweeper: A great Dominion item for dealing with pesky invisibility outside of turret range, this works great with your large area of effect when using .
: A decent all-around item for Anivia in Dominion. A great replacement for .
: A very strong magic resist item with a large amount of health regeneration. Great when running a very health tanky build; on that note, I don't think that a pure health tank Anivia is a great build idea.
: A great set of boots for the bonus magic resist and tenacity. However, they should only be used when playing a very tanky build, since they are rather expensive as far as boots go.

Laning: Where does your bird fly?

Before we blindly fly down a lane and take charge, let's learn the difference between lanes as they pertain to Anivia. First, what champion and play-style goes where?

Green: Middle lane - Solo. 1v1
Yellow: Top Lane - Solo or duo. 1v1, 1v2, 2v1 2v2 (changes when you have a jungler)
Blue: Bottom Lane - Duo. 2v2
Pink: Ward locations, vary depending on what lane you are in. (see color inside of ring) If you are playing offensive Anivia, let your jungler or support ward as often as possible. If you are playing support Anivia... It's your job! ward your lane and others when possible.

So, now that you know the number match up possibilities; let's break down what you can expect in each of those lanes.

Offense versus Defense, What and When

The desicion to go with ability power carry Anivia or support/utility anivia should occur either: Before the game when you have arranged to support a specific champion; Or: One to two level into the game you realize what build would serve you better.

If you pick up a kill or two right off the bat, you might as well compound on that and take over the role as ability power carry.
If you are sharing a lane and your teammate is struggling, take the support role.

OFFENSIVE ANIVIA

Middle lane: Your pride and joy.
This lane is probably going to work best for you. You can expect to get tons of minion kills, a few kills on the enemy mid laner, and maybe even a tower if you play your game right. Your goal is to stay safe by dodging enemy abilities and wait for your moment to strike. Watch for your opponent to get lazy, if they sit still send out and follow up with a .
After level six try and position them in a place where it will cost them to re-adjust to get to where they want. Try and work your way above or below them and sweep behind them. That way they will be forced to walk back through , throw down a to keep them from going farther away from you. When they are slowed by the stun them with to keep them inside the area of effect and throw down to finish them off. (Ask jungler for blue buff as often as possible)

Top Lane: OK, this might work out juuuuust fine.
You are going to have to settle for solo top some times. Don't worry too much about this, there are some benefits to top lane versus mid. Side lanes are only exposed from one side which means you only have to worry about ganks coming from one area. If the other team has a jungler as well as you, you get to have another one versus one stand off, which is almost always in your favor. Your game plan is just about the same as mid lane so there is not much new to be learned when you end up in the lane. Just DON'T FORGET TO WARD.

Bottom lane: Not your place mister!
When you are planning one playing aggressive as Anivia, try and avoid sharing a lane with someone. You should try to soak up as much solo experience as possible. So avoid this lane at all costs.

SUPPORT ANIVIA

Middle lane: No longer your role
If you have decided to fulfill your role as a Support or Utility role this lane is no longer something you should try and take. Let this lane go to the person who needs to get fed the most.

Top Lane: Maybe???
The top lane is only going to work well for you when you are on a team that lacks a jungler. You are only there to support another player, not take their creep kills or champion kills.

Bottom lane: This is your fit.
When playing a supportive role there will almost always be 2 bottom (unless someone is up to something). Your role is to control the movement of the other team with , , and . Use and to zone enemies and make them an easy target for your laning partner. When you are worried about the enemies hiding in the bushes, throw down your to remove fog of war to expose those sneak little kiddos. Don't expect much from yourself as far as damage is concerned, your role is to maintain your mana so that you can spam crowd control abilities.

In Conclusion: It had to end some time

These builds are tried and true for me, but obviously they may not work for you. Don't condemn me for a difference in play style between us. Don't play with the build once and make a final judgement. These builds are not finalized either; I want to continue working on them. I have put a lot of time into this and I hope you can help me figure out more effective ways to work this build: runes, masteries, item selection, and item purchase timing.

Too long; Didn't Read: Shame on you. I took the time to create an in-depth guide for you with eye-catching coding, media, and formatting. If you disagree, please explain why. I don't wana see any dumb comments saying: "Too wordy," "needs more coding," or simply "This build is stupid." In fact, I want to actually see how many people read through the whole build before commenting. If you read this please type "Cryophoenix" at the end of your comment. For the sake of humor I will keep count of the number of commenting people who have actually read this in the first comment box. If you did take the time to read and still have some advice for me, I will GLADLY take it into consideration. Good builds are never done.

Thank you very much for considering my Guide. I'm glad I could help you master a new Champion.

When giving this guide a Vote, please wait to see a response from me beforehand. I don't want pre-emptive + or - both are bad in my opinion. Also, don't be afraid to give me a little Rep if you think that I deserve it.