Hello everyone, first build on Mobafire and I chose to do mine on Wukong. He's my favorite champion to play, hence my compulsion to write this build. It may be similar to others as I don't think I don't think I reinvent the wheel, but I do feel that, from what I've seen, there are people who build Wukong a bit funky. I'm here to present my thoughts on the champ, and I would gladly appreciate any commentary on the guide. I will ask that it be read and preferably tried before rating it, but enough of the small talk. Here is my guide to Wukong: The Monkey King!

Edit (3/31/12):
Hello gents, new items are out and omg I love the Maw. Killer on Olaf and Tryndamere, but still awesome on any warmogs+atmas combo. Read on ahead for more changes.

Pros
-Good Tanky AD
-Slippery due to his Warrior Trickster
-Easy Farming with his Nimbus Strike (If in a dangerous lane using his Decoy directly after Nimbus Strike can help him stay safe)
-Good Damage
-Scales well into late game
-Amazing initiation with his ult
-Hard to gank because of Decoy

Cons
-A tad bit slow without full boots, not a big problem
-If out of position Decoy will be your best friend, but you can't play hide and seek forever (More thoughts on this later)
-Can get a little mana thirsty in lane and after team fights


In all honesty, Not much is bad about our little monkey friend. He does his job well and efficiently.

Edit (3/31/12):
I'm going to be looking into jungle Wukong more heavily and will update my guide with info on it. I personally feel that he is a much better solo top than jungler, but in moments of need he can become one with a little help. Not a bad option, but still not my thing.

Greater Mark of Desolation - Wukong is AD, enough said. Some may feel tankier runes may fit him better, but I personally feel that with these runes, it helps him more throughout the game.

Greater Seal of Attack Speed - Again, Wukong is AD. These with his Nimbus Strike make for easier an easier lane phase through farming, taking towers, and killing other champions faster.

Greater Glyph of Magic Resist - As much an AD champion Wukong is, he is also a tanky one as well. I personally feel that the extra magic resist helps him with dealing with AP casters throughout the game. As my build mainly focuses on bulding Health and Armor, it is quite essential.

Greater Quintessence of Desolation [X2] - More Armor pen. makes for a happy Wukong.

Greater Quintessence of Attack Speed [X1] - More attack speed makes for an even happier Wukong.


I have seen Wukongs that go standard tank runes or runes that focus more on damage or crit. In all honesty, each player has their own play preferences, so playing him as a hard damager or straight tank may be more up your alley. I will say this, I do not agree with those playstyles personally and think they do not fully play to Wukongs strengths and needs. If you have differing ideas on this I will gladly be open to being proven wrong through shots of other builds. I do know though this though: My build lends to my playstyle and it works.

Edit (3/31/12):
I would like to add that Greater Seal of Armor are also a quite fine choice for Wukong if you feel the need for him to soak up more damage when laning against the Dr. Mundo's and the Gangplank's.

Standard tanky 21-9-0 Build. Not much to say on the matter honestly. Some may go for the 9-21-0 mastery setup, but as Wukong is not a full tank I don't feel that it's worth it.

Edit (3/31/12):
Changed my masteries a tiny bit, decided I liked the extra health on Wukong. I feel that it helps when dealing with early ganks and allows me to stay for that extra second or two to finish someone off or jump back into a fight to save an ally.

I start with Nimbus Strike so as to have a bit of poke. It is also worth the first spot as it allows Wukong to play more defensive if in a hard lane while still getting farm. Second is Warrior Trickster. This skill is your bread and butter and you will learn to love it. It lets you escape from ganks, it helps you play defensive, it helps you gank, it helps you sneak attack someone in your lane, it lets you initiate fights without being cc'd easily, and it lets you search bushes and the forest without getting instantly owned. Third point back in Nimbus Strike, then fourth in Crushing Blow. After that your order to upgrade is Cyclone (when available), Nimbus Strike, Crushing Blow, and then Decoy.

PASSIVE: Stone Skin - Gives him armor and magic resist the more enemies he is around. Great for team fights.

Q: Crushing Blow Good damaging blow, used to strike blows to peoples.

W: Warrior Trickster - His bread and butter. Used for escapes, jukes, initiation, and other fun things.

E: Nimbus Strike - Single target ability, he hits 3 enemies in a small area, and raises his attack speed. Good for stuff and junk. Can be used to assist in Decoy jukes, farming, attacking people, and being cool.

R: Cyclone - He spins to win, does constant damage, gets a movement speed boost, and knocks people up. Great for initiating team fights and awesome getaways.

Teleport :
Essential when soloing top. Keeps your out-of-lane times low and helps you get around the map better. Also gets you to teamfights faster and save towers.

Exhaust :
Amazing with for defensive and offensive purposes, the skill speaks for itself.


These spells come back to the whole thing dealing with playstyle. In all honesty the only other two spells I could see running are Flash and Cleanse, for obvious reasons.

Edit (3/31/12):
I would like to add that Flash can be a good substitute for either of the aforementioned summoner spells. The surprise factor, escape factor, and general ability to give you better placement for your ults can make in invaluable.

Core Items:
1. Mercury's Treads
2. Wriggle's Lantern

These two items will make Wukong's early game. Get those and you will be fine. As for the order, start with boots and health pots. First time back get Madred's Razors and more heal pots (2-5). Third time back you should be able to afford Wriggle's Lantern and Merc Treads.

Next comes your choice of build. For a more tanky Wukong, my first setup is where to go. If you want more AD, go number two.

Setup 1:
3. Giant's Belt
4. Atma's Impaler
5. Warmog's Armor

Setup 2:
3. Phage
4. Atma's Impaler
5. Warmog's Armor

From here, there is a slight shift in build again. If you find you're dealing with alot of AP then for the first setup instead of getting Sunfire Cape get Force of Nature.

Setup 1:

6. Sunfire Aegis or Force of Nature
7. Last Whisper

Setup 2:

6. Frozen Mallet
7. Last Whisper

Final item goes in the place of Wriggle's Lantern, which is sold at the end after obtaining everything else.

Setup 1:

8. Banshee's Veil

Setup 2:

8. Madred's Bloodrazor

I will say that I do at times get items out of this order due to needing them sooner, but the final item list does not vary.

Edit (3/31/12):
Maw of Malmortius is an exceptional item by itself, but when combined with a funky monkey, along with his increasing armor and magic resist in team fights, makes him a real annoyance to behold. I would say this can be used in place of the Banshee's Veil or another item if heavy magic resist is required.