Read this. It is about Pyke. Here are the facts.

I have seen a lot of posts about Pyke. Mostly negative. A lot of people say he is a bad champ because you cannot get tanky to survive fights, he does not do enough damage as an assassin, and he does not have enough ways to escape sticky situations. I will use statistics from the client in this post so please do not even try to argue about the stats.

First off, Pyke can get decently tanky. GA gives 40 armor and the passive gives you a second life. This should always be your first item on Pyke according to OP.GG and lolifgraphs it is the best item to rush with almost 60% winrate. It gives you armor for fighting adc/jugs which are usually bot and 45 extra AD. Randuin's is a descent item on Pyke depending on the enemy team as well. It gives 60 armor and hp (which turns to AD), and an active slow, which can help you land Pyke's E. The crit damage nerf passive can me good depending on the enemy team. If they do not have crit, try out Deadman's Plate. It also gives 60 armor and AD to Pyke with move speed and a slow on Pyke's basic with up to 100 extra magic damage on his basic. Adaptive Helm and Spirit Visage both give Pyke 55 MR and 10% CDR. Adaptive gives less AD because of less HP on the item, but is makes Pyke more tanky because of its passive than Spirit Visage does. I personally think Adaptive Helm is better than Visage on Pyke. Also MAW is wonderful on Pyke. Playing Pyke, it has saved me countless times. The 50 MR and crazy good shield that comes with it is clutch. I myslef have not tried Sterak's on Pyke yet because i think the armor and MR from the items already listed are better. Sterak's gives 450 hp which transfers straight to AD. Sterak's uses "bonus AD" and gives tenacity AND a shield, so it might be great on Pyke. I just do not see it being better than other options.

Here is his damage chart. I am on lunch break at work so what else to do right?

If you are level 11 on your 2nd item running electrocute (assuming you have max stacked eyeballs by then) : You will do 1,482-1536 damage with a Q-E-basic-R combo, depending on how long you hold Q, before resistances to any enemy. Note that this damage is also before any bonuses from allies, ignite, or bonus lethality from 'sudden impact' or any other rune besides the damages from eyeballs and electrocute. Most champs have between 50-60 armor unless they are tanks at level 11, so this can and will one shot as long as Pyke is not behind. If ahead it will definitely one shot.

If you are full build without consumables and at level 18, and out of combat (so items are ready to proc): (this build might not be the 'best possible build'. I know. I am using it as an example.) You will do 3,153-3227 damage with a Q-E-basic-R combo with Dusk and StormR procs, depending on how long you hold Q, before resistances to any enemy. Note that this damage is also before any bonuses from allies, ignite, or bonus lethality from 'sudden impact' or any other rune besides the damages from eyeballs and electrocute. Most champs have between 75-100 armor unless they are tanks at level 18, so this can and will one shot. Also note that I did not include the bonus damage from MAW passive because this fight starts out of combat, so Pyke would not have that particular buff yet.

That being shown, how is Pyke not an assassin?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Some say he does not have enough ways to escape sticky situations. His E is up every seconds not including the 20-40% cdr you will get form Runes/Items with a normal Pyke build. His W is a descent escape tool as well because you go camouflage and gain massive move speed. Guardian Angel can save you too. For example, when you get resurrected, you can E immediately and stun anyone that follows. Then W to gain distance between you and the enemy.

A good player can learn how to maneuver with Pyke to where they can one shot carries and escape. Pyke is a very well designed, balanced champion. His winrate is starting to climb now that people are learning how to play him correctly. It is almost 50% now. I personally love the champion.

GLHF Peace out.