Hecarim - Iceborn vs. Triforce

BluePolarizer·3/28/2015, 1:34:07 AM·2 votes·3,987 views

Hey guys I've been going Triforce rush mostly on Hecarim, but recently I've been noticing that even when I get insanely fed, I still can't hard carry late game if my ADC is feeding since once Hecarim uses ult, he is easily kiteable and exclusively melee when he builds the typical build. Its been getting annoying that if bot lane loses it doesn't matter what I do unless mid or top can delete the enemy ADC, since Hec is so easily kiteable.

Hecarim item 3078item 3143 item 3709 item 3110 item 3065item 3047

I was thinking of another build, specifically designed to deal with kiting/slippery champs that Triforce builds seem have trouble chasing down:

Hecarim item 3142 item 3143item 3025 item 3709 {{item:3143} item 3142 item 3065item 3009

This gives more armor than the previous build, about equally tanky (250 less HP, 65 less armor) but in exchange you get the burst AS/MS from Ghostblade, an AOE permaslow from Iceborn, more base MS, slow resist and more Arpen to shred squishies. Iceborn also helps with mana sustain, so the loss of Frozen Heart isn't so bad.

What I'm thinking with the ghostblade/Iceborn build is that it gives burst damage to kill carries fast, still sufficient tankiness and permaslow/slow resist/burst mobility to avoid being kited. If I'm unable to dive and have to fight the front line, or have to peel, the AOE slow from Iceborn should be superior to the pure damage from Triforce, so I become a better peeler as well.

26 Comments

Shiroi Kitsune3/28/2015, 1:38:12 AM5 votes

item 3707 Try building this instead. It does wonders for Hecarim's damage as it gives him damage, ArP and CDR, all of which are stats which Hecarim loves. Otherwise the choice between item 3078 and item 3025 is up to you. I prefer Tri-Force myself because of the Phage passive, but there is definitely a lot to be said for Ice-born Gauntlet's passive too.

EndlessSorcerer3/28/2015, 3:07:20 AM1 votes

Hecarim needs a good mixture of durability and damage to function since he typically stays in the middle of fights absorbing damage and dealing damage.

When playing him in the jungle, I find that my build is typically along the following lines: item 3111 or item 3047, item 3707 or item 3714, item 3025, item 3065, item 3143, item 3075 or item 3071

Since I get Warrior enchant for early damage and clearing, I prefer Iceborn Gauntlet > Trinity Force since it gives me some mid-game durability at the expense of damage and movement speed. Iceborn Gauntlet is also about 1000G cheaper, so it's simpler to purchase on a jungler's budget without heavily snowballing.

Keep in mind that I haven't really played Hecarim since the release of Cinderhulk, so this information is a bit outdated. Honestly, now that it exists I might alter the build for some experimentation. Honestly, your initial build looks worth a try, with: item 3111 or item 3047, item 3709 or item 3717, item 3078, item 3143 item 3065, item 3071

A bit less early damage than I'm used to for ganking, but better lategame durability and mobility with similar clear times.

FantasySniper3/28/2015, 3:30:22 AM1 votes

item 3707 is superior to all choices. Cinderhulk cannot compete.

item 3078 is usually better than item 3025 . Just because you can use it for every damage output and still get tankiness, mana, and stickiness.

item 3009 leaves you squisher, so it may be better to build more damage and focus on clean-up and/or assassination as your Hec playstyle. item 3142 item 3172 item 3153 can all be decent choices for the damage route.

item 3082 + item 3065 is a good combo, but you're going way overkill when it comes to countering AA damage with the first build. item 3800 and item 2053 are also good tank items that promote stickiness.

If you focus a little less on being so tanky, it'll be easier to carry. Dragon is also your highest priority for you.

flibitydoo3/28/2015, 3:38:55 AM1 votes

The item 3044 component grants bonus movement speed for attacking enemy champions (with basic attacks), which in turn fuels your Warpath passive granting you additional AD.

Ice born is nice cause stickiness/armour/mana+cdr to spam, but Triforce will give you much greater burst damage.

ZeroAnarchy3/28/2015, 3:54:28 AM1 votes

If you're having trouble carrying build more damage, not tankiness. That is the rule of solo-qeue, only worry about yourself. item 3156 item 3139 item 3142 are items I would recommend to give you more one shot potential on any of their carries. They also give you a slight bit more tankiness.

Common end builds I see high elo players who play him (Sickmotion for example, really recommend watching him) is: item 3078 item 3111 item 3110 item 3065 item 3142 and either another defensive item or item 3139 /item 3156

SpecterVonBaren3/28/2015, 4:31:41 AM1 votes

While I don't play Hec all that often, I do play Skarner and while they have different kits, their itemization is very similar.

While I can't tell you which is best, I can tell you what some general rules you can use for deciding what to get are.

Are you steamrolling the game? Go Triforce.

Are you behind? Iceborn.

Does your team not have much CC? Iceborn is a good choice.

Does your team lack damage? Triforce.

But keep in mind that Triforce is practically made for Hecarim, all of its stats synergize with him. Increased movespeed for his passive, both percentage and flat when procing phage. It has sheen which goes well with the spamable nature of his q and his good base AD. It gives mana for more q's, health for staying in a fight longer, AD, AP, attack speed, crit, all offensive stats Hec can use.

Edbwn3/28/2015, 6:52:40 AM1 votes

I've been reading these comments and taking hella notes lol, I really like Hecarim but hinestly I'm pretty bad with him. I wanted to ask if it's still common/a good idea to run movespeed quints on him, and do you usually do 21/9/0 or 9/21/0 for masteries?