Guide Sections (14)
- Champion Stats
- The Ball Zone
- The Orianna Skin Tier List
- When They Ban Orianna
- Runes That Work on Orianna
- Leveling Orianna's Abilities
- Matchups That Matter for Orianna
- Shockwave Greed
- When They Dive Through Your Zone
- The Combo Window
- The Clockwork Build
- Orianna's Strongest Moments
- The 5-Man Shockwave
- Recent Patch History
Champion Stats
Low elo players don't track the Ball's position. They will stand right on top of it, forgetting that Orianna can move it and ultimate instantly. They also fail to respect the range of her Command: Attack (Q) poke, allowing her to whittle them down until they are in kill range. In teamfights, her ability to shield an engager and then R off them is a combo most teams aren't prepared for.
The Ball Zone
Start Q (Command: Attack) for consistent poke and wave management. At level 1, your passive (Clockwork Windup) makes your auto-attacks surprisingly strong. If you can land a few Qs and AAs, you can easily control the lane from the first wave. Level 2 with W (Command: Dissonance) allows for a quick Q-W-AA trade that procs Electrocute for massive damage.
Your E gives resistances to the person it's on. In a trade, E yourself to mitigate damage and hit the enemy as the ball returns. It's the ultimate efficient trade. Use every part of the kit.
The Orianna Skin Tier List
'Dark Star Orianna' is an amazing smurf skin—the Ball looks incredible and the R-vortex effect is purely intimidating. 'Pool Party Orianna' is a fun choice with clear water-based effects. 'Winter Wonder Orianna' offers a very clean and classic look with great visual clarity on the Ball. Avoid 'Gothic Orianna' unless you like the retro aesthetic, as newer skins have much better animation fluidity.
'Dark Star' has a very subtle R indicator. In a chaotic river fight, it's very hard for the enemy to see the edge of the vortex. Use the 'visual' advantage to land the game-winning stun.
When They Ban Orianna
Viktor is the best analog for the laser and zone control. Syndra for the burst and the ball-like sphere management. Azir for the high-end soldiers. Orianna is the clockwork—if she's gone, be the evolution or the sovereign.
Viktor for zone control. Syndra for burst. Azir for soldier DPS. Viktor is the tech-mage alternative.
Runes That Work on Orianna
Phase Rush is the standard choice for mobility, allowing you to kite and escape ganks easily. Summon Aery is the alternative for higher lane poke and stronger shields. Secondary Inspiration with Magical Footwear and Cosmic Insight to reach your core items faster and have more Flash uptime.
Leveling Orianna's Abilities
Max Q first—it's your primary way to move the Ball and deal damage. Max W second for the increased burst and utility (MS/Slow). Max E last as the shield strength is sufficient at rank 1.
Matchups That Matter for Orianna
Skill Matchup. It's a battle of range and positioning. If she lands a stun, you are in trouble. If you can dodge her Qs and trade back with your Q-W, you win the attrition war.
Hard Matchup. He can dodge your R with his shadows or his own R. You must play very safely, use your E shield proactively, and look for trades only when his W is on cooldown.
Hard Counter. She can dash through your minions to gap-close and her dash ignores your slow. If she lands an E, you are likely dead. Avoid this matchup or play perfectly under tower.
Shockwave Greed
Stop losing your Ball! If the Ball is too far from you, it returns, leaving you defenseless. Always track its location. Also, don't just fish for the '5-man Shockwave'—sometimes using R to peel for yourself or to kill a single priority target is much more valuable than waiting for a perfect moment that never comes.
Track your ball! If it's too far, you're useless. Don't hold for the 5-man R—a 1-man R on the fed carry is enough. Use E for the shield and the ball-positioning for your diver. You're the commander of the battlefield.
When They Dive Through Your Zone
Dodge if facing high-mobility assassins like Fizz or Zed if you aren't confident in your ability to track them. Also dodge into Xerath if you can't handle the long-range poke battle.
Fizz and Zed are annoying. Use your ball to zone them off. Xerath is the poke battle you might lose. If you see them, build early boots and just roam. Secure the lead on other lanes where your R is more valuable.
Dodge Zed/Fizz. They ignore your ball and kill you. Xerath outranges you. It's hard. Rush Zhonya's.
The Combo Window
In teamfights, your job is to control the space. Keep your Ball on your frontline engager or near the enemy carries. Use E to protect allies and set up your R (Command: Shockwave). Once the R lands, follow up with W and Q to clean up. You are a zoning god; use the Ball to block off paths and force the enemy into bad positions.
Keep the ball on your Malphite or Jarvan. Wait for their engage, then R. It's a guaranteed 5-man stun. W for the slow and speed, Q for the finish. You're a zoning god—use the ball to define where they can and cannot walk.
The Clockwork Build
Full Burst 'Nuclear' Orianna. Luden's Companion -> Shadowflame -> Rabadon's Deathcap. With this build, a Q-W-R combo will delete any squishy instantly. You become a terrifying artillery-assassin who can end a fight before it even begins.
Luden's into Archangel's is the standard for the mana and safety. Shadowflame for the burst. Rabadon's 3rd and win the game. You're an artillery mage with an assassin's burst. One Q-W-R should end the fight before it starts.
Luden's/Archangel's -> Shadowflame -> Deathcap. You need AP. Big AP = Big Shields + Big Shockwaves. Don't build support items.
Orianna's Strongest Moments
Level 6 is your biggest game-change spike—Shockwave is one of the most powerful ultimates in the game. Your biggest item spike is Luden's Companion, which gives you the mana and burst to start dominating the mid-game map.
Level 6 is your biggest spike. Luden's completion is your waveclear spike. Late game as a 3-item mage, you are the most dangerous person in the rift. Stay back, control the ball, and end the game with one perfect Shockwave.
Level 6 Shockwave. 2-Item spike. Teamfights in choke points (Dragon/Baron pits). One good R wins the game.
The 5-Man Shockwave
Use the 'tick-tock' emote every time you land a 3+ man Shockwave. Type 'Time is running out' in all-chat after a kill. The sight of the Ball slowly traveling towards an enemy who is already dead in your mind is one of the most tilting experiences in the game.
Use the 'tick-tock' emote after a perfect R. Type 'Calculated' in all-chat. The sight of the ball flying into their team while they can't do anything is peak Orianna. You're the master of the clock—and their time is up.
Recent Patch History
Recent Balance Changes
| Patch | Date | Type | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| V14.16 | Aug 14, 2024 | BUFF | Q buffed |
| V14.13 | Jun 26, 2024 | BUFF | Base stats buffed |
| V13.22 | Nov 8, 2023 | BUFF | Base stats buffed |
| V13.17 | Aug 30, 2023 | BUFF | W buffed, Base stats buffed |
| V13.12 | Jun 14, 2023 | BUFF | R buffed |
