
Aatrox Champion Guide: Master the Drain Tank Top Laner
The Definitive Aatrox Guide
Aatrox excels as a top lane bruiser who dominates through exceptional drain tanking and team fight presence. As the Darkin Blade, he can sustain through massive amounts of damage while threatening entire enemy teams with his crowd control and area damage.
Core Abilities Priority
- R > Q > E > W
- Start Q level 1
- Take E at level 2
- W at level 3
Key Ability Tips
- Q (The Darkin Blade): Your main damage source. Master hitting the "sweet spots" for bonus damage and knockups
- E (Umbral Dash): Provides sustain and mobility. Can reposition Q during cast
- W (Infernal Chains): Use after first Q knockup for reliable CC chain
- R (World Ender): Essential for all-ins and team fights, providing movement speed, damage, and enhanced healing
Optimal Combo
- First Q knockup
- Land W while enemy is airborne
- Second Q as W pulls
- Follow with third Q (strongest hit) during W knockback
- Weave E dashes to reposition as needed
Core Strategy
- Focus on landing Q sweet spots for lane dominance
- Use E mobility to set up Q hits and escape ganks
- Chain CC with W after landing knockups
- Save ultimate for all-ins and team fights
- Position as a flanker in team fights
- Maximize healing by consistently dealing damage
Key Weaknesses
- Vulnerable to chain CC
- Must deal damage to survive
- Predictable ability animations
- Reliant on hitting sweet spots
Build Path Goals
- Balance AD for damage/healing
- Include durability stats
- Focus on sustain and survivability
- Adapt build based on enemy composition
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