Guide Sections (13)
Champion Stats
Enemies in Gold and Platinum love to group as 5 mid, often stacking on top of each other. This is Rell's dream scenario. A single Flash-W-R combo can CC 5 people for 3+ seconds, allowing even a mediocre team to wipe them. Furthermore, low elo players rely heavily on shields (Lux, Lulu, Immortal Shieldbow) to survive mistakes; Rell's Q (Shattering Strike) breaks these shields instantly, rendering their safety nets useless.
The Mount Up Trade
Start W (Ferromancy). The 'Crash Down' knock-up is one of the most potent level 1 tools. Hide in the lane brush. When the enemy bot lane walks up to the first wave, 'Crash Down' on both of them. You get a massive shield, a knock-up, and high base damage. If your ADC follows up, you blow at least two Flashes or get First Blood.
W (Crash Down) gives a shield. E speeds you up. Q breaks shields (good vs Enchanters). You are Leona on a horse. Engage.
When They Ban Rell
If Rell is gone, Leona is the only real pivot for that same 'all-in' feel. If you want more utility, Alistar. But Rell's 'Flash-R' is unique—there's no true replacement for the iron maiden.
Leona for the solar stun. Nautilus for the hook. Alistar for the knockup. Leona matches the 'All-In' commitment level.
What to Max on Rell
Max W first for the increased shield size, damage, and move speed while mounted. Max E (Full Tilt) second for the cooldown reduction and movement speed, allowing for faster roams and engages. Max Q last, as its utility (shield break/stun) is effective even at rank 1.
Mastering Rell's Kit
Shattering Strike. Rell thrusts her lance, breaking ALL shields and stunning enemies for a short duration. Use this to counter Shieldbow, Tahm Kench E, or Enchanters.
Full Tilt. Passive: Rell gains Move Speed while mounted. Active: Rell and an ally gain massive ramping Move Speed towards enemies. The next attack or Q explodes the area for damage. Use this to gap-close before W.
Magnet Storm. Rell creates a magnetic field that drags nearby enemies towards her. It doesn't interrupt channels, but it prevents them from escaping 'The Wombo'. Use it mid-air during W for a guaranteed pull.
Who Rell Beats (And Who Beats Rell)
Best Friend. Pick Rell if your ADC is Samira. Her passive knocks up off your CC, and your R groups them for her R. It is the strongest 2v2 combo in the game.
Hard Counter. Black Shield blocks your CC. You must Q the shield to break it, but good luck getting close enough without getting bound. Wait for her to waste E.
Annoying. Polymorph stops your engage instantly. She can also speed up her carry to dodge your W. Ban her if you want a fun game.
Dismount Timing
Stop engaging when your team is at base! You rely entirely on follow-up damage. If you land a 5-man ult and your team is farming wolves, you will just die. Also, remember that 'Crash Down' (W) slows you significantly. If you miss it, you are a sitting duck. Don't force engages unless you have Flash or a clear angle.
Don't dismount (W1) if you aren't 100% sure you'll hit the knockup. You lose half your move speed when on foot. Use your E (Full Tilt) to gap-close FIRST, then W. Be calculated with your metal.
When Your Engage Gets Peeled
Dodge Janna or Thresh. Their disengage tools (Tornado/Flay) can cancel your W jump mid-air, leaving you dismounted, slow, and useless. Poppy is also a hard counter with her W stopping your dash.
Janna R. Alistar W. Thresh E. If they have these, you need to rely on Flash-Engage or flank.
Dodge Janna/Thresh. Flay and Tornado cancel your W. You land in the middle of their team with no dash and no resistances. You die. Don't pick Rell here.
The Engage Timing
You are the primary initiator. Look for a flank or a Flash angle. Your ideal combo is W (Crash Down) -> R (Magnet Storm) mid-air -> E (Full Tilt) to chase or stun stragglers -> Q (Shattering Strike) to chain cc. If you catch the carry, they die. If you catch the tank, you steal their resistances with your passive and become unkillable. Die for the Ace—your KDA doesn't matter, the Victory screen does.
Flash-W-R is the combo that wins tournaments. It's the most reliable 5-man stun in the game. Make sure your team knows you're going in. A Rell without follow-up is just a slow girl in heavy armor.
The Tank Rell Build
Speed-Tank Rell. Trailblazer -> Dead Man's Plate -> Force of Nature. With E (Full Tilt) active, you move at Mach 10. You can literally run down a Hecarim. It's terrifying for the enemy to see a heavy armored horse running at them at 700 MS.
Trailblazer is amazing for the extra move speed on your engage. Add a Zeke's for the extra damage when you ult. You are a heavy metal horse of destruction—embrace the weight. Build full tank, stay alive.
When Rell Hits Hardest
Level 6: Your Ultimate is a 'Game Over' button for the enemy team if they lack Flash. Level 2: W-E combo gives you a second CC chain that guarantees a kill if you land the initial knock-up.
Level 2 and Level 6. These are your 'I win' buttons. By mid-game, you should be looking for every Flash-engage you can find. Late game, you're the shield that won't break. Trust the armor.
Level 2 W-E combo. Level 6 Magnet Storm. You win teamfights by pressing R massive AOE. If you catch 3+, you win.
The Iron Maiden Engage
Spam the 'Horse' emote/dance. Type 'Magnetic personality' in all-chat after a multi-man pull. Breaking a 2k HP Sett shield with a single Q tap is the ultimate tilter—do it and watch them pause in confusion.
Your passive 'Break the Mold' steals armor and MR from enemies you hit. In a fight, hit the tank once to become even tankier, then jump onto the carry. You're the ultimate 'stat-stealer'. Use it or lose it.
Flash-W-R into 5 people. Shield breaker Q on the Sett. Type 'Heavy Metal' in chat. You are the wombo combo starter.
Recent Patch History
Recent Balance Changes
| Patch | Date | Type | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| V14.18 | Sep 11, 2024 | NERF | E nerfed |
| V14.7 | Apr 3, 2024 | BUFF | Q nerfed, W nerfed, Base stats buffed, Ferromancy: Mount Up nerfed |
| V14.4 | Feb 22, 2024 | ADJUST | Q nerfed |
| V13.18 | Sep 13, 2023 | NERF | E nerfed |
| V13.15 | Aug 2, 2023 | BUFF | Ferromancy: Mount Up buffed |
