Tankie Mages, what do?

ZanjotheMonster·10/11/2013, 6:05:39 PM·2 votes·389 views

Hey there guys, in the time I've been playing league, there has always been one type of champ that I've never really gotten used to, and that is the tankie mages (Zac, Cho'Gath, etc.). Cho has always been a favorite of mine, in fact he was the first champ i actually played as and learned with XD but i built him pure mage and that didn't work out very well :P. so i'm looking for any kind of advice that can help me learn how to play these champs effectively when I start playing ranked cause i'd love to nom-nom or bounce all over the rift lol. Champ suggestions are always appreciated too :)

10 Comments

LilYonsan10/11/2013, 7:34:38 PM2 votes

You know, this has a lot to do with what playstyle you prefer playing. In my mind, tanky mages are nice to know how to play, but many of their kits do not generally agree with how I feel most confident about playing my early game.

What you should focus on is what kind of playstyle you feel most confident about. For example, are you one of those people that like to chip down an enemy from a distance until you can instagib them? Or are you one of those people that start with "tons of damage" and either try to immediately force your opponent out of lane or get that sweet first blood?

knowing about your playstyle will help you greatly in the road ahead. So, let's say that you don't mind being in the middle of the action, "caught inbetween the crossfire" so to speak. If that's the case, you should pick someone like gragas, ryze, or chogath.

Or, let's say you most prefer getting that "BOOM HEADSHOT" moment off and sniping enemies from a distance with tons of damage. Then your best bet is most likely going to be for someone like xerath (warning: rework upcoming), or Lux.

In conclusion, however, I have always felt like mid can never be a TRUE tank. Sure you can build lots of health,and chogath really naturally supports that in his kit, but you'll never be a roflstompy as a tank like nasus, or yorick. If you more prefer a tanky playstyle, I would actually consider playing more top. In fact, I've seen many cho'gath players go top and still build ap, and still do really well.

As far as playing a champion well, that will come from personal experience, and help from other guides. I would offer more advice on that aspect however I find that many tanky mids are just not suited for me personally. Does that mean I wouldn't learn them at some point? Of course not, I could do so whenever i wanted. But while I too am still getting a grasp of this game, I feel like staying with what I'm most comfortable with is best for me. You should try discovering what you're most comfortable with too, and don't be discouraged if a plan doesn't go the way you hoped. Either you got unlucky, or it won't work, but in the end it's a learning experience either way.

DawnoftheMoon10/11/2013, 8:15:48 PM1 votes

First thing you need to figure out is what you think tanky is. In my opinion a Vladimir with Ionian boots of Lucidity, Spectral Wraith, Spirit Visage, Zhonya's Hourglass, Rylai's Crystal Scepter, and Liandry's Torment is a tanky build. Lots of health, armor, and MR. So I do suggest Vladimir. I also suggest Singed. Singed is played as a tanky mage. He has deceptive burst at level 2 with his E, Q, ignite combo. Almost always guarantees first blood, and your early tear. Most people who play Singed rush Rod of Ages. It's a good item on him, but there are better items in season 3. Seraphs embrace has too much to offer for singed, for anyone not to build it. You shouldn't build them both. Tabi/treads, Seraphs, Rylai, Thornmail, Abyssal, and Liandry's should be your build 9/10 times. Both of these champs are tanky mages that I consider myself decent at. I highly recommend playing them, and if you want some tips on their mechanics message me in game! I'd love to help! Hope I helped!

Cess10/12/2013, 5:21:27 PM1 votes

Figure out which lane you want to play, then choose your champions based on who would typically fill that lane. Sounds like your champions are mid laners.

I recommend: Fizz - assassin (Highly recommend) Kassadin - assassin Ahri - Mage Orianna - Mage Mordekaiser - Only tanky mage in the game really. There are others I would suggest I'm sure but there is a few there.

Singed is considered a Top champion IMO and isnt exactly a mage. I would not consider chogath or zac mages either

Zac belongs and excels in the jungle IMO and Chogath is a Top laner although ive seen him viable in middle as well.

Kellory10/17/2013, 1:57:34 AM1 votes

I like building Galio with Athena's, Spirit Visage, Merc treads, Liandry's, Thornmail, and then the game ends. :(

Not as much health, but roughly 180 armor and 180 MR make me very tanky. And Q hits like a brick with the 400 odd AP I'll have. W allows me to tank turret shots for health.

I don't get FH because I've already maxed CDR by the time I typically build armor. I guess I could build Randuins Omen for more health and a fricking long slow. I just like adding injury to my insults.

Evolnemesis10/20/2013, 7:19:02 PM1 votes

Rylai's Crystal Scepter and Abyssal Scepter both tend to be quite good for tanky mage builds, beyond that it depends more on other things you need and your skills, Zhonya's Hourglass can be good for some if you get in close to burst, and then don't have much of an escape, RoA is very efficient if you can reasonably justify buying any mana for your champ. otherwise i tend to go for a tanky armor item like Frozen Heart (nice for the cdr and mana) or randuin's.. I would not get thornmail unless I already had another armor item personally. It's not that great on it's own, it's very rare I feel i need it too. Then the rest is mainly just about increasing damage. Any of Liandry's/Voidstaff/Lich Bane/rabadon's etc. again depending on the champ. For boots, merc treads or sorc shoes... sorc shoes are probably not necessary if you are going to build any 2 of abyssal, void staff, or Liandry's, and the merc trread's tenacity can help save you from cc, and help you keep attacking more, and the MR doesn't hurt either.