Aatrox, the Darkin Blade, is one of the most fearsome champions in League of Legends. He is known for his aggressive playstyle, high damage output, and his ability to sustain himself in prolonged battles. Aatrox’s lore is deeply intertwined with the ancient Darkin, a race of god-like warriors, making him not just a powerful fighter but also a fascinating character with a rich backstory. This article delves into Aatrox’s abilities, playstyle, and how to maximize his potential on the Rift.
The Lore of Aatrox: The Fallen God-Warrior
Aatrox is one of the five Darkin, a group of Ascended beings who were corrupted by their immense power. Once noble and proud warriors, the Darkin were twisted into monstrous forms, wielding unimaginable power with reckless abandon. Aatrox, in particular, became a living weapon, trapped in a sentient blade and driven by an insatiable thirst for war and destruction.
Imprisoned for centuries, Aatrox eventually found a way to escape his prison by possessing the bodies of those who dared to wield his cursed blade. Now free, Aatrox seeks to bring about the end of all things, driven by his desire to rid the world of the torment of existence.
Aatrox’s Abilities: The Darkin’s Arsenal
Aatrox’s abilities are designed to dominate in both one-on-one duels and team fights. His kit emphasizes high damage, crowd control, and sustain, making him a formidable presence on the battlefield.
1. Deathbringer Stance (Passive)
Deathbringer Stance is Aatrox’s passive ability, enhancing his next basic attack with bonus physical damage and healing Aatrox based on the damage dealt. This passive is key to Aatrox’s sustain in lane and during fights, allowing him to trade effectively and recover health in extended battles.
- Bonus Damage: Aatrox’s enhanced basic attack deals a percentage of the target’s maximum health as bonus physical damage. This makes him a threat to both tanks and squishy targets alike.
- Healing: The healing scales with Aatrox’s level and his bonus attack damage, making him more resilient as the game progresses. This sustain is particularly effective when combined with life steal items, allowing Aatrox to recover significant amounts of health during fights.
2. The Darkin Blade (Q)
The Darkin Blade is Aatrox’s signature ability, a three-part attack that deals area-of-effect damage. Each strike has a different hitbox and deals increased damage when it hits enemies with the sweet spot.
- First Cast: Aatrox slams his sword down in a wide arc, dealing physical damage to enemies hit. The first cast is useful for hitting multiple targets and setting up the next strikes.
- Second Cast: The second strike is a narrower but longer-range attack, useful for hitting enemies at a distance. The sweet spot at the end of the attack deals increased damage and knocks up enemies.
- Third Cast: The final strike is a vertical slam with a smaller hitbox but the highest damage potential. If this strike hits the sweet spot, it deals massive damage and knocks enemies up for a longer duration.
Mastering The Darkin Blade is essential for any Aatrox player. Proper positioning and timing are key to landing the sweet spots of each strike, maximizing your damage output and crowd control.
3. Infernal Chains (W)
Infernal Chains is Aatrox’s crowd control ability, designed to trap enemies and set up for additional damage. When activated, Aatrox hurls a chain in a targeted direction, dealing physical damage and slowing the first enemy hit. If the target doesn’t leave the impact area, they are pulled back to the center and damaged again.
- Slow and Pull: The initial hit slows the enemy, making it harder for them to escape the follow-up pull. This is a great tool for catching out-of-position enemies or setting up your Q combo.
- Combos: Infernal Chains can be combined with The Darkin Blade for devastating results. Landing the chain pull can position enemies perfectly for the sweet spots of your Q strikes, ensuring maximum damage.
4. Umbral Dash (E)
Umbral Dash is Aatrox’s mobility tool, allowing him to dash in a targeted direction. This ability can be used twice before going on cooldown and also passively grants bonus attack damage.
- Mobility: The dash can be used to reposition during fights, dodge skill shots, or close the gap on fleeing enemies. It’s also useful for adjusting your position to hit the sweet spots of The Darkin Blade.
- Bonus Attack Damage: The passive effect of Umbral Dash increases Aatrox’s attack damage, enhancing his overall damage output. This makes the ability a core part of his kit, not just for mobility but also for maximizing his damage potential.
5. World Ender (R)
World Ender is Aatrox’s ultimate ability, transforming him into a terrifying juggernaut. When activated, Aatrox gains increased attack damage, movement speed, and a substantial healing boost. If Aatrox would take fatal damage during World Ender, he instead enters a stasis state, reviving after a short delay.
- Damage and Healing: The increased attack damage and healing make Aatrox incredibly difficult to kill during World Ender. The healing bonus is amplified by his other abilities and life steal, allowing him to sustain through even the toughest fights.
- Revive: The revive mechanic gives Aatrox a second chance in fights, making him a relentless force that can dive into the enemy team with little fear of death. Proper timing of World Ender can turn the tide of battle, as Aatrox can soak up damage and revive to continue the fight.
- Team Fight Presence: World Ender is a game-changing ability in team fights. The increased damage and survivability allow Aatrox to dive the enemy backline, disrupt their formation, and create chaos, all while being incredibly hard to kill.
Playing Aatrox: Strategies and Tips
Aatrox is a champion that thrives in prolonged battles where he can fully utilize his sustain and damage. Here are some key strategies and tips for playing Aatrox effectively:
1. Laning Phase
During the laning phase, Aatrox’s sustain from Deathbringer Stance allows him to trade effectively with most opponents. Focus on landing the sweet spots of The Darkin Blade to maximize your damage in trades. Use Infernal Chains to catch enemies off guard and set up for your Q combo. Proper wave management is crucial to avoid getting ganked, as Aatrox lacks reliable escapes.
2. Mid to Late Game
In the mid to late game, Aatrox shines in team fights. Use Umbral Dash to position yourself for optimal The Darkin Blade strikes. Activate World Ender at the right moment to dive into the enemy team, creating chaos and drawing focus onto yourself. Your goal is to disrupt the enemy backline, forcing them to deal with you while your team capitalizes on the distraction.
3. Itemization
Aatrox benefits from a mix of damage, sustain, and survivability items. Core items include Goredrinker for its healing active, Sterak’s Gage for survivability, and Death’s Dance for damage and sustain. Spirit Visage can be a strong choice to amplify your healing, while Guardian Angel offers a second revive to complement World Ender.
4. Combos
Mastering Aatrox’s combos is key to maximizing his effectiveness. A common combo is to use Infernal Chains to catch an enemy, followed by a Umbral Dash to reposition for the sweet spot of The Darkin Blade. Use World Ender to dive into the enemy team and sustain through the fight, making sure to land as many Q sweet spots as possible for maximum damage and crowd control.
Conclusion
Aatrox is a champion that rewards players who can master his mechanics and positioning. His high damage output, sustain, and crowd control make him a force to be reckoned with in the right hands. Whether you’re dominating the laning phase with well-timed Q combos or turning the tide of a team fight with World Ender, Aatrox has the tools to carry games. By understanding his abilities and playstyle, you can unleash the full potential of the Darkin Blade and become a terror on the Rift.
