I just bought Viktor and this was my first game. I did well but I feel i screwed up in my Item build path. Should I have picked up Deathcap or Zhonya's first? Also, while looking around at builds i saw you don't need to rush the perfect hexcore just get death ray buff and then get everything else.
The first upgrade is a rush item. the second is actually situational. the third is a late-game power spike item. as for your build, vik is wonderfully versatile. Look at what you need, and it will probably work for him. full pen is nice, CDR is nice, full AP is awesome, a bit tanky lets you get those Q's off mid fight, and makes you a pain to kill. Its all about whoyour opposing laner is.
I would say getting Death cap first item isn't optimal, since it is best as a mid game powerspike since you will already have one or two other items finished before it, along with a first or second upgrade on you hexcore.
I'd suggest trying a build in this order: 
+
first back (if you can't stay long enough for both, at least get the hexcore) after that, go for 
since they are best as an early-mid game power spike, and start working towards what you need most. 
isn't all that necessary on Viktor, since your hex-core gives a lot of free mana with upgrades, and Viktor isn't really the spammiest of mages, but usually goes for really high burst instead (it can be a good pick up in certain situations though). For your first non hex-core item, I would say either 
, 
, or 
are good choices. is exceptional as a first burst item because of the flat bonus damage, combined with you laser's augment you start to chunk people REALLY hard very early on. If you don't get it first or second item, it is usually the kind of thing you can skip unless you are full build and want to sell boots for it (which does work when you have Q augmented because of the bonus % MS t gives). Always get at some point in your build, it is just way to good on Viktor with his Q to pass up. If you get both this and Luden's on him, your early game burst goes through the roof. would be my item of choice against another really bursty champion, like 
or 
, but if you don't really need the active yet it can be better to hold off and get it later instead. I usually get either 
or 
as my third non hex-core item, depending on the situation. If they don't have any real MR built up yet, you can rely on your boots for penetration and go for Rabbadon's. If they do have MR on all their champs (or an Aegis and several other MR items) Void staff is the better option. Whichever you build first, you should build the other next as your 4th item. You can usually upgrade to 
in the mid game (after your first two items, before Rabbadon's or Void staff) so that you have a bit of extra mobility and more AP and Mana from it. At this point, you usually have your hex-core, boots, 2 of the first three items, and then Rabbadon's and Void staff. Technically speaking, that is full build, but I usually save and sell my boots for the last of those first three items that I didn't get, or possibly a 
.
Viktor doesn't really have a hard and fast build path, but generally speaking:
first back, mid game, and 
whenever you have gold kicking around for it late game. early for its powerspike. or as your 2nd and 3rd items, and 
are both situational. has a stronger first item powerspike than or . and as your 4th and 5th items in whichever order suits the match. or , depending on which you got early game.These Items are all good on Viktor in almost any situation:
(has excellent synergy with Q, allows for great burst) (strong enhancement to your poke and burst early game) (duh) (strong mid-late game, turns your early AP and burst effects into a massive amount of burst (around 800-850 AP late game)) (Excellent item for kiting and survivability, with Q augment you can outrun most other champions) (boot of choice, excellent early game damage spike) (the premier penetration item for Viktor, best once the enemy has more than base MR) (Extra safety, good damage, and the ability to be super gusty and go for hard to get kills)Avoid these items most of the time:
(takes too long to stack and you don't need that much mana, but if you get a long enough match it allows for some really crazy levels of AP late game)
(the aura is shorter range than a lot of your damage)
(your DoT damage isn't that great, you do better with Raw AP)
(very risky item, not advisable unless you're smurfing)
(just no)
(a lot of good stats, but not necessary when you can build and for even better stats, also slows down your early game bullying)
(not that bad, but very situational)
