Champion Stats
| Role | Mage / Fighter |
| Difficulty | |
| Blue Essence | 1575 BE |
Why High-Elo Players Smurf with Vladimir
Low elo players don't respects Vladimir's empowered Transfusion (Q). They will let him walk up with a full red bar and chunk them for 30% of their HP. They also fail to pressure him early, allowing him to free-farm and reach his late-game 'raid boss' state. A smurf can use Hemoplague (R) to amplify the team's damage and then survive an entire team's burst with a perfectly timed Pool-Zhonya's-Pool combo.
The Level 1 Cheese
First Blood Strategy
Start Q (Transfusion). Poke the enemy every time your red bar is about to fill. Level 1, your sustain is higher than almost anyone. Level 2 with E (Tides of Blood) allows you to start charging up your AOE burst. Just stay safe until Level 9 when your Q is on a short cooldown.
The 'Pay-to-Win' Skin Advantage
'Blood Lord Vladimir' is the classic 'try-hard' smurf skin—the unique voice and animations are legendary. 'Dark Waters Vladimir' is a top-tier choice for its 'hidden' sound effects and sleek visuals. 'Cosmic Devourer Vladimir' offers amazing modern effects. Avoid 'Marquis Vladimir' as it's very basic.
When They Ban Vladimir
Backup Pick: If Vladimir is banned,
Kassadin offers a similar 'scaling-hypercarry' profile.
Viktor for the control and scaling.
Swain for the sustain and teamfight presence.
Rune Setup
Best Runes: Phase Rush is the best choice for maximizing your kiting and safety. It allows you to proc the speed burst and escape a gank or chase down a low-HP target. Secondary Inspiration with Magical Footwear and Cosmic Insight for cooldowns.
Skill Priority
Order:
Q → E → WMax Q first—it's your entire identity, providing the damage and heal you need to survive. Max E second for the massive AOE burst. Max W last as the cooldown is long and primarily used for safety.
Mastering Vladimir's Kit
Transfusion. Vladimir drains life from an enemy. After two casts, his next Q is empowered, dealing more damage and healing significantly more. This is your core sustain and damage spell.
Sanguine Pool. Vladimir sinks into a pool of blood, becoming untargetable and slowing enemies above him. It costs health, so use it as your primary defensive dodge tool.
Tides of Blood. Vladimir charges up a blast of blood that deals AOE damage. The damage increases the longer it's charged. It also slows enemies at full charge.
Hemoplague. Vladimir infects a large area. Enemies take increased damage from all sources for 4 seconds, and then take a massive burst of magic damage which heals Vladimir.
Matchup Tips
Hard Matchup. His R (Nether Grasp) is a nightmare for you. You have to wait for him to waste it or get a QSS/Zhonya's early. His passive shield also stops your initial combo.
Vs Kassadin
Scaling War. You both out-scale almost everyone. It's a race to level 16. You have a better lane, but he has better late-game mobility. Focus on shutting him down early.
Hard Counter. She can dash through your E and Q and out-duel you. You have to stay near your tower and use your Pool (W) to dodge her stun (E). Wait for late game.
The Ego Check
WARNING: Stop pools-ing for no reason! Sanguine Pool (W) is your only defensive tool and costs 20% of your CURRENT health. If you waste it, you're an easy target. Also, don't miss your Hemoplague (R)—missing it means losing out on the 10% damage amplification and the massive heal! Also, use your empowered Q on champions, not minions, whenever possible.
When to Queue Dodge
Dodge if facing heavy 'disengage' or 'shields' comps with Janna, Lulu, or Morgana if your team has no other engage. They can push you away or block your burst. Also dodge into Irelia who can out-duel you in lane.
Teamfight Role
In teamfights, you are a backline-diving monster. Your job is to reach the enemy squishies. Approach with Phase Rush, activate E (Tides of Blood), Flash into the team, and use R (Hemoplague) on as many people as possible. Release E, then use Sanguine Pool (W) to avoid return damage while your R and E charges tick. You are the chaos that heals while they die.
The 'Disrespect' Build
Full AP 'One-Shot' Vladimir. Night Harvester -> Shadowflame -> Rabadon's Deathcap. With this build, your empowered Q-E combo will literally delete an ADC in half a second. It's hilarious to see an entire team panic as you disappear into a pool and reappear with full health and three kills. Maximum BM, high-risk.
Power Windows
Level 9 is your first major spike (Q max). Level 16 with two or three items is your 'raid boss' spike. Your biggest item spike is reaching Hextech Rocketbelt and Zhonya's Hourglass, which gives you the perfect engage and safety combo.
Tilt Factor
Type 'A gift from the heart' in all-chat after a successful multi-kill. Spam the 'dance' emote while pooling under their tower. The sight of a Vladimir walking at you with a full red bar is a psychological trigger that makes enemies scatter and panic.
Recent Patch History
| Patch | Date | Type | Changes |
| V14.19 | Sep 25, 2024 | BUFF | W adjusted |
| V14.12 | Jun 12, 2024 | BUFF | W buffed |
| V13.7 | Apr 5, 2023 | BUFF | Q adjusted |
| V13.3 | Feb 8, 2023 | ADJUST | Base stats adjusted |
| V12.10 | May 25, 2022 | BUFF | Base stats buffed |
Safety Tips
Safety isn't an accident. It's a deliberate process. By the time you log in, the account is already 'cleared' by Riot's systems.
