League of Legends is a complex strategy game where the choices you make before and during a match significantly impact your success. One of the most important aspects of the game is your “build.” A build refers to the specific combination of items, runes, and summoner spells you select for your champion. Having the right build allows your champion to perform their role effectively, whether that is dealing massive damage, protecting teammates, or absorbing hits as a tank.
For new and intermediate players, the sheer number of items and runes can be overwhelming. With over 160 champions and hundreds of possible item combinations, knowing what to buy and when to buy it is a skill that takes time to develop. This guide will simplify the process, explaining the core components of a build and providing actionable steps to help you choose the best options for every match.
Understanding the Components of a Build
A complete League of Legends build is divided into two main parts: the choices you make before the game starts and the items you purchase during the match. Understanding these components is the first step toward improving your gameplay.
Runes
Runes are powerful passive bonuses that you select in the champion select screen. They are divided into several “paths,” such as Precision for attackers, Sorcery for magic users, and Resolve for defensive champions. Each path offers a “Keystone,” which is a major ability that significantly changes how your champion plays, along with smaller minor runes that provide stats like extra health or faster cooldowns.
Summoner Spells
These are two unique abilities you choose before the game begins. Most players take “Flash” because it allows for a quick teleport over short distances to escape or engage. The second spell usually depends on your role; for example, “Smite” is required for Junglers, while “Ignite” is popular for players looking to secure kills in the early game.
Items and Gold
Items are purchased from the in-game shop using gold earned by defeating minions, monsters, and enemy champions. Items provide raw stats like Attack Damage (AD), Ability Power (AP), Armor, and Magic Resist. Many items also have unique active or passive effects that can turn the tide of a battle.
How to Find Reliable Build Guides
Most players do not memorize every build for every champion. Instead, they use community-driven data and professional player statistics to find the most effective setups. Using these resources ensures you are following the current “meta,” or the most effective tactics available at the time.
- Statistical Websites: Sites like U.GG, OP.GG, and Lolalytics track millions of matches to show which builds have the highest win rates for specific champions.
- Desktop Applications: Tools like Blitz.gg or Porofessor can be installed on your computer. These apps automatically detect which champion you are playing and can import the best runes and item sets directly into your game client.
- Pro Player Tracking: Websites like Probuilds.net allow you to see exactly what professional players are building in their high-level matches, which is great for understanding niche item choices.
The Importance of Item Progression
You cannot buy your full build all at once. You must progress through different tiers of items as the game continues. Following a standard progression path ensures you stay strong at every stage of the match.
Starting Items
At the very beginning of the game, you are given a small amount of gold. Most champions start with a “Doran’s” item (like Doran’s Blade or Doran’s Ring) and a health potion. These provide early-game sustain and basic stats to help you survive the first few minutes.
Core Items
Every champion has two or three “core” items that are essential to their kit. For example, a marksman might always need an item that provides Critical Strike chance. Completing these items should be your top priority, as they provide the biggest power spikes for your champion.
Boots
Movement speed is critical in League of Legends. You should generally complete your Tier 2 boots (like Plated Steelcaps for physical defense or Sorcerer’s Shoes for magic penetration) after your first or second core item. The right boots help you dodge abilities and move around the map faster.
How to Adapt Your Build to the Game
While following a guide is helpful, the best players know when to deviate from the standard path. This is known as “situational building.” You should look at the enemy team and determine what threats you are facing.
Building Against Damage Types: If the enemy team has many champions who deal magic damage, you should prioritize items with Magic Resist. If they rely on basic attacks and physical damage, you should buy items with high Armor.
Countering Healing: If the enemy team has champions with high healing capabilities, such as Soraka or Warwick, you need to buy items that apply “Grievous Wounds.” This effect reduces the amount of healing the enemy receives, making them much easier to defeat.
Utility and Survival: Sometimes you need an item specifically to stay alive. Items like Zhonya’s Hourglass allow mages to become invulnerable for a few seconds, which can save you from an assassin’s burst damage. Guardian Angel is a similar choice for physical damage dealers, offering a second chance at life after being defeated.
Common Build Archetypes by Role
Different roles in League of Legends generally follow specific build patterns. Knowing these archetypes helps you understand the logic behind item choices.
- Tanks (Top/Support): Focus on Health, Armor, and Magic Resist. Their goal is to survive as long as possible while disrupting the enemy team.
- Mages (Mid): Focus on Ability Power, Mana, and Magic Penetration. They want to deal high burst damage with their spells.
- Assassins (Mid/Jungle): Focus on Lethality or Magic Penetration. They aim to eliminate high-priority targets very quickly.
- Marksmen/ADC (Bottom): Focus on Attack Damage, Attack Speed, and Critical Strike. They deal consistent damage over time using basic attacks.
- Enchanters (Support): Focus on Heal and Shield Power, as well as Mana Regeneration. Their build is designed to keep their teammates alive and buffed.
Conclusion
Mastering League of Legends builds is a continuous learning process. By using reliable data from third-party websites and understanding the core needs of your champion, you can significantly improve your performance on the Rift. Remember that while guides provide a great foundation, the ability to adapt your items based on the specific needs of your current match is what separates average players from great ones.
Start by picking one or two champions and learning their core builds inside and out. As you become more comfortable, pay closer attention to what the enemy is building and look for ways to counter them. For more tips on gaming and digital strategy, explore our other articles to help you master your favorite online experiences.