Guide Sections (15)
- Champion Stats
- The Empowered W
- Ranking Pantheon's Skins
- When They Ban Pantheon
- Pantheon's Keystone Choice
- Skill Max Order for Pantheon
- Mastering Pantheon's Kit
- The Pantheon Matchup Sheet
- Grand Starfall Whiff
- When the Duel Is Unwinnable
- Diving the Backline
- The Lethality Pantheon Build
- When Pantheon Comes Online
- The Spartan All-In
- Recent Patch History
Champion Stats
Low elo players don't understand the 'semi-global' threat range of Pantheon's R (Grand Starfall). They will overstay in lane with 30% HP, not realizing Pantheon can drop from the sky and finish them before they can reach their tower. They also underestimate the invulnerability of his E (Aegis Assault), allowing Pantheon to dive towers and survive situations that would kill any other champion.
The Empowered W
Start Q (Comet Spear) and poke the enemy relentlessly. At level 1, a tapped Q has a very short cooldown and surprisingly high damage. If you have 5 passive stacks, your Q will deal massive damage and slow the target. If you're in a level 1 invade, start W (Shield Vault) for the guaranteed point-and-click stun and 3-hit passive trigger.
Landing an empowered W (Shield Vault) is your bread and butter. It guarantees 3 fast autos that instantly stack Conqueror or PtA. In a level 1 trade, tap Q. At level 2, W is your death-sentence. Make them respect the shield.
Ult behind them. Cut off escape. W stun. Q execute. Flash Mastery. You are a Spartan. Act like it.
Ranking Pantheon's Skins
'Dragonslayer Pantheon' is the classic 'smurf' skin—the animations are sharp and the wings on the R are legendary. 'Perseus Pantheon' is a great 'budget' choice that looks clean. 'Ruined Pantheon' offers a more dark and imposing aesthetic. Avoid 'Baker Pantheon' unless you want to lean into the meme, as it lacks the 'intimidation factor' of his more serious skins.
'Dragonslayer' is the anime protagonist skin. 'Perseus' is clean. 'Baker' is for memes. 'Ascended' is lore accurate. Dragonslayer ult wings are unbeaten.
When They Ban Pantheon
Renekton stuns and dives. Zed bursts. Talon roams. Renekton is the bruiser version of Pantheon.
Renekton for the stun. Zed for the burst. Galio for the semi-global. Renekton is the point-click stun brother.
Pantheon's Keystone Choice
Press the Attack is the best choice for burst, as your empowered W instantly triggers it. Conqueror is the alternative for extended dueling in top lane or against tankier compositions. Secondary Inspiration with Biscuit Delivery and Cosmic Insight to maintain your lane pressure and have your summoners up more often.
Skill Max Order for Pantheon
Max Q first—it is your primary source of damage and poke. Max E second for the reduced cooldown and increased damage mitigation. W is maxed last as the stun duration doesn't increase with rank and the damage is secondary to your other skills.
Mastering Pantheon's Kit
Comet Spear. Tap for a quick strike, hold for a long-range throw. It deals bonus damage to enemies below 20% HP. Use the tap version in melee range for higher DPS.
Shield Vault. You leap to an enemy and stun them. The empowered version makes you strike the target 3 times, instantly stacking your passive and runes like PTA.
Grand Starfall. You leap into the air and slam down at a target location. It slows and deals damage in a large area. Use this to cut off retreats or join fights from across the map.
The Pantheon Matchup Sheet
Easy Matchup. Your W is a point-and-click stun that avoids his Windwall. You can out-trade him at every stage of the early game. Just don't let him kite you through minions.
Skill Matchup. You can block his entire burst with a well-timed E. If he out-ranges you with shurikens, you lose. Save your W for when he ults you—wait for him to reappear and stun him instantly.
Hard Counter. A good Fiora will Riposte your W stun and kill you instantly. You have to bait out her W or use your Q poke to whittle her down without committing to a full leap.
Grand Starfall Whiff
Stop wasting your E! Aegis Assault is your only defensive tool. If you use it offensively for damage and the enemy jungler appears, you are dead. Also, manage your passive stacks! Always try to engage with 4 or 5 stacks to ensure your first ability is empowered. An un-empowered W is a wasted opportunity.
Your R isn't just a teleport; it's a zone-control tool. Aim it so the path cuts off the enemy's escape route. Even if they dodge the center, the lateral shockwave slows them long enough for you to land and Q.
When the Duel Is Unwinnable
Dodge if facing Malphite or Ornn in the top lane—you cannot kill them after their first back and they outscale you heavily. Also dodge into heavy kite comps with Ezreal and Karma where you can never get close enough to W.
Malphite armor stack. Ornn armor stack. You deal physical damage. They build armor. You lose. Roam mid.
Dodge Malphite. He stacks armor. You do no damage. Dodge Ezreal/Karma. They kite you. You need to dominate lane.
Diving the Backline
In teamfights, look for a flank or use your R to drop behind the enemy backline. Use your empowered W to stun the ADC or Mage, followed by a Q-E combo. Your E should be used to soak up the initial burst of the enemy team while you retreat or wait for your Q cooldown. You are a vanguard who creates chaos and executes low-HP targets.
You are an assassin who happens to have a shield. Ult the backline, W the ADC, Q, and then E to walk out while they all try to hit you. With Hubris stacks, you'll be hitting for 800+ with a single spear. The spear that pierces the heavens.
The Lethality Pantheon Build
Full Armor Pen Pantheon. Youmuu's -> Hubris -> Serylda's Grudge. With this build, your empowered Q will literally execute anyone below 40% HP instantly. It's the ultimate 'stat-check' build where you simply out-damage anything the enemy can throw at you.
Opportunity and Hubris are the new kings for Pantheon. The extra move speed and AD after a kill make you a roaming nightmare. Add a Serylda's for the slow and you become inescapable.
Eclipse -> Cleaver -> Bork. Armor Pen is key. Empowered W procs on-hits 3 times. You one-shot squishies.
When Pantheon Comes Online
Level 1-3 is your greatest strength—few champions can match your early burst and point-and-click stun. Level 6 provides your global roaming potential. Your biggest item spike is Eclipse or Sundered Sky, giving you the sustain and burst to stay relevant into the mid-late game.
Level 1-2. You are strongest here. Level 6 you can influence the map. You fall off late game. Win early.
Level 1-2. Strongest champ in game? Maybe. Level 6 Roam. Falling off late game. Win early or lose.
The Spartan All-In
Ult into the enemy jungle just to steal a buff while they are clearing it. Use the 'manly' emotes after every kill. The sound of Pantheon's R beginning is a psychological trigger that forces the enemy to retreat, even if you aren't actually aiming for them.
Holding E (Aegis Assault) is a mini-game. If you're tanking a Karthus ult or a Draven axe, it's a win. If you're standing still while they just walk behind you, it's a loss. Use the MS boost at the end to reposition. Be a warrior, not a statue.
Recent Patch History
Recent Balance Changes
| Patch | Date | Type | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| V14.20 | Oct 9, 2024 | BUFF | W buffed |
| V14.13 | Jun 26, 2024 | BUFF | W buffed |
| V14.11 | May 30, 2024 | BUFF | Q adjusted, W adjusted, Base stats adjusted |
| V13.5 | Mar 8, 2023 | BUFF | Q buffed, Base stats adjusted |
| V12.22 | Nov 16, 2022 | NERF | Base stats nerfed |
