Guide Sections (15)
- Champion Stats
- The Ghost Charge
- The Hecarim Skin Tier List
- When They Ban Hecarim
- Runes That Work on Hecarim
- Leveling Hecarim's Abilities
- Mastering Hecarim's Kit
- Matchups That Matter for Hecarim
- E Into Tower
- When Splitting Won't Work
- Flanking or Frontlining
- The Chemtank Build
- Hecarim's Strongest Moments
- The Onslaught of Shadows
- Recent Patch History
Champion Stats
Low elo players have zero respect for Hecarim's movement speed. They consistently overextend, assuming they are safe because Hecarim was spotted on a ward 5 seconds ago—not realizing he can traverse half the map in that time. They also don't understand how to play against his R (Onslaught of Shadows), often clumping together and allowing for a 5-man fear that wins the game instantly. Hecarim exploits uncoordinated teams who cannot handle his 'hit-and-run' playstyle and massive healing during his W.
The Ghost Charge
Hecarim's level 1 is about the Q (Rampage) stacks. Start Q and focus on maintaining your stacks between camps. By keeping 2 stacks, your Q cooldown is significantly reduced, giving you one of the fastest clears in the game. If you meet the enemy jungler at level 4 while they are still level 3, use your E-charge to knock them into your team or a wall for an easy kill. Your early 1v1 is surprisingly strong if you maintain Q stacks.
The Hecarim Skin Tier List
'High Noon Hecarim' is widely considered the best 'smurf' skin—the horse looks mechanical and the sound of the E-charge is like a locomotive, which is purely psychological warfare. 'Arcade Hecarim' is a classic BM skin with rainbow trails. 'Elderwood Hecarim' has very smooth and leafy animations. Avoid 'Headless Hecarim' unless you want the seasonal flex, as it feels a bit dated.
'Arcade' is the classic for the rainbow trail, but 'High Noon' feels heavier and more impactful on the charge. 'Lancer Zero' is rare but feels clunky. 'Elderwood' fits the theme perfectly. 'Cosmic' has smooth animations. High Noon is generally the 'tryhard' skin.
When They Ban Hecarim
Lillia zooms around like Hecarim but with AP burn. Udyr runs at people and slaps them. J4 engages from screens away. If you like going fast, Lillia is your best bet for that 'hit and run' dopamine.
Lillia offers similar high-speed AP damage and sleep disruption. Udyr provides the unstoppable speed-run playstyle. Jarvan IV is for high-impact R engage. Lillia is the 'zoom-zoom' alternative.
Runes That Work on Hecarim
Conqueror is the most reliable choice for sustained dueling and massive healing in teamfights. Phase Rush is the alternative if you need the extra speed to escape or kite. Secondary Inspiration with Magical Footwear and Cosmic Insight to reach your core items (Shojin / Sundered Sky) faster and have your Ghost/Ult up more often.
Leveling Hecarim's Abilities
Max Q first—it is your entire damage profile and clear mechanism. Max E second to increase the damage and movement speed of your charge. W is maxed last as it primarily serves as a healing tool and the base effect is sufficient early.
Mastering Hecarim's Kit
Rampage. You cleave nearby enemies. Hitting an enemy reduces the cooldown for a few seconds (stacks up to 2 times). Always keep these stacks up during a fight to maximize DPS and clear speed.
Spirit of Dread. You deal magic damage and heal for a percentage of damage enemies take. This is your survival tool. Activate it the moment the fight gets heavy and stick to your targets.
Devastating Charge. You gain increasing movement speed and your next attack knocks the target back. The damage scales with distance traveled. Use this to knock enemies AWAY from their tower or INTO your team.
Onslaught of Shadows. You summon spectral riders and dash forward, fearing enemies hit. The fear duration depends on how far Hecarim traveled. Perfect for massive teamfight disruption.
Matchups That Matter for Hecarim
Easy Lane. You are much faster and have more impact early. If you fear him during his R, he is a sitting duck. Just don't try to 1v1 him late game when he has items.
Skill Matchup. He is stronger at level 2-3. Avoid him until level 4 or 6. If you land your R fear, you can burst him before he can kick you away. Use your speed to out-path him.
Hard Counter. Her W (Steadfast Presence) blocks both your E and your R. If she is in the match, you literally cannot play the game. Dodge this matchup at all costs.
E Into Tower
Stop diving into 5 people without your W (Spirit of Dread) active! You are tanky, but only as long as you are dealing damage and healing. If you get CC'd before you can start your Q-spam, you will melt. Use your R to dodge key CC or to split the enemy team. Also, don't waste your Ghost! Save it for when you are actually committing to a kill or an engage.
Stop diving into 5 people without your W active! You are tanky, but only as long as you are dealing damage and healing. If you get CC'd before you can start your Q-spam, you will melt. Use your R to dodge key CC or to split the enemy team. Don't waste your Ghost.
When Splitting Won't Work
Dodge if facing Thresh or Janna. Their ability to knock you back or interrupt your E-dash mid-flight makes you useless. Also dodge into heavy-slow compositions where your movement speed—and therefore your damage—is constantly crippled.
Dodge if facing Thresh or Janna. Their ability to knock you back or interrupt your E-dash mid-flight makes you useless. Also dodge into heavy-slow compositions where your movement speed—and therefore your damage—is constantly crippled.
Dodge if facing Thresh or Janna. Their ability to knock you back or interrupt your E-dash mid-flight makes you useless. Also dodge into heavy-slow compositions like Nasus or Zilean where your movement speed is constantly crippled.
Flanking or Frontlining
Your role in a teamfight is to disrupt and delete. Charge in with E, but use your R (Onslaught of Shadows) to fear the backline first. While they are feared, land your E-slam on the most important target, then spam Q and stay in the middle of the fight with W active. You heal for a portion of ALL damage enemies take in your W zone—including damage from your allies. You are the engine of destruction.
Your Q stacks up to 2 times, reducing its cooldown and increasing damage. In a fight, never stop pressing Q. Even if there are no enemies, Q the air to keep your stacks up for the next encounter.
The Chemtank Build
Full Speed Lethality Hecarim. Youmuu's -> Opportunity -> Serylda's. With Swiftness Boots and Ghost, your E-charge will deal over 1000 damage in a single hit. You become a literal missile that deletes anyone who isn't a tank. High risk, but the speed and burst are unparalleled for stomping uncoordinated teams.
Full Speed Lethality Hecarim. Youmuu's -> Opportunity -> Serylda's. With Swiftness Boots and Ghost, your E-charge will deal over 1000 damage in a single hit. You become a literal missile that deletes anyone who isn't a tank.
Hecarim's Strongest Moments
Level 4 is your first major spike (full clear complete, dual buffs, level 2 Q). Level 6 is your game-changing spike—your R is one of the best engage tools in League. Your biggest item spike is Spear of Shojin, which gives you the perfect mix of HP, AD, and Ability Haste to keep your Q and E on perma-rotation.
Level 4 is your first major spike. Level 6 is your game-changing spike—your R is one of the best engage tools in League. Your biggest item spike is Spear of Shojin, giving you the perfect mix of HP, AD, and Ability Haste.
The Onslaught of Shadows
All-chat 'neigh' after every successful E-charge kill. Run through the enemy mid-lane at 800 MS just to show them you can. Nothing is more demoralizing for an enemy than seeing a giant ghostly centaur coming at them at Mach 1 and knowing there is absolutely no escape.
All-chat 'neigh' after every successful E-charge kill. Run through the enemy mid-lane at 800 MS just to show them you can. Nothing is more demoralizing for an enemy than seeing a giant ghostly centaur coming at them at Mach 1.
Recent Patch History
Recent Balance Changes
| Patch | Date | Type | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| V14.14 | Jul 17, 2024 | BUFF | W adjusted, Base stats buffed |
| V13.21 | Oct 25, 2023 | BUFF | W buffed, Base stats buffed |
| V13.17 | Aug 30, 2023 | BUFF | Base stats adjusted |
| V13.14 | Jul 19, 2023 | NERF | W nerfed |
| V13.6 | Mar 22, 2023 | ADJUST | Base stats adjusted |
