Aphelios ADC Build Guides, Runes, Items, and Abilities

Aphelios, the Weapon of the Faithful, is a unique marksman in League of Legends who wields an arsenal of five powerful Lunari weapons crafted by his sister, Alune. Unlike other champions, Aphelios’ complexity lies in his rotating weapon system, each offering distinct playstyles and abilities. Mastering him requires an understanding of each weapon’s mechanics and synergy. With the potential for immense damage and versatility, Aphelios rewards players who can adapt to ever-changing combat scenarios and make strategic decisions on the fly.

1. Strengths:

Versatility in Combat: Aphelios’ five weapons cater to various situations, from long-range poking with Calibrum to area-of-effect damage with Infernum. High Damage Potential: His kit allows for incredible burst and sustained DPS, especially when utilizing weapon combos effectively. Teamfight Impact: Moonlight Vigil (R) amplifies the effects of his main-hand weapon, turning fights with its devastating synergy. Scaling Champion: Aphelios becomes a powerhouse in the late game, with his damage output peaking when he has full build and proper positioning. Strong Utility: Weapons like Gravitum provide crowd control, while Severum grants sustain, making Aphelios adaptable to different phases of the game.

2. Weaknesses:

• High Skill Ceiling: Aphelios’ weapon rotation and ability management require significant practice and game knowledge.
• Lacks Mobility: Without dashes or blinks, Aphelios is highly vulnerable to assassins and crowd control.
• Dependent on Weapon Order: His effectiveness can be limited if key weapons are unavailable during critical moments.
• Fragile and Positioning-Dependent: Aphelios’ low health pool and reliance on range make positioning crucial to avoid getting caught out.
• Steep Learning Curve: Understanding and optimizing his weapon combos and ammo management takes time, making him challenging for new players.

1. Learn Each Weapon’s Strengths:

• Calibrum (Rifle): Use for long-range poke and follow-up attacks.
• Severum (Scythe Pistol): Prioritize for sustain and mobility in trades.
• Gravitum (Cannon): Utilize its slow and root for crowd control and kiting.
• Infernum (Flamethrower): Maximize AoE damage in teamfights.
• Crescendum (Chakram): Excel in close-range fights with sentry setups and rapid attacks.

2. Master Weapon Rotation: Plan your engagements based on the weapons available and those next in the queue. Timing is key to maximizing impact during fights.

3. Combo Weapons Effectively: Pair Gravitum with Infernum for rooted AoE bursts, or Crescendum with Severum for sustained close-range dueling.

4. Utilize Moonlight Vigil: Aim Moonlight Vigil (R) at clustered enemies to trigger massive damage and weapon effects, potentially turning the tide of a teamfight.

5. Position Safely: Without mobility tools, rely on proper positioning and team support to avoid being caught out. Use Severum and Gravitum for survivability when pressured.

6. Practice Ammo Management: Keep an eye on your weapon’s ammo to anticipate the next weapon rotation and avoid being caught unprepared.

7. Adapt Itemization: Build based on the game’s needs—crit for burst, attack speed for DPS, or lifesteal for survivability.

• Q + R + AA + AA: To snipe with Calibrum out use Q and R instantly then AA twice.
• Q + W + AA + Q + W + AA: With Calibrum in main hand and Gravitum in off hand you can root from very far away. Use Q then instantly W. AA once the Q lands then Q with Gravitum, then use W to swap back for AA's.
• R + W + Q + W + AA: Quickly stack Chakrums by using Crescendum in main hand and Severum in off hand. R then instantly W Q. Once it's done it's channel, W and AA
• R + Q + W + Q + AA + AA: Engage teamfights with Gravitum in main hand and Calibrum in off hand. R and Q once it lands, then instantly W Q followed by two AA's.
• Q + W + Q + W + AA: To AoE root use Infernum in main hand and Gravitum in off hand. Q then W Q W as quickly as possible followed by an AA.
• Q + AA + W + AA + AA + AA + Q + R + AA + AA: Kite and deal damage from range with Crescendum in main hand and Calibrum in off hand. Q then instantly AA W. Continue to AA and kite until your sentry dies then Q R instantly and AA twice.
• R + Q + W + Q: Burst targets with Infernum in main hand and Severum in off hand. R Q W instantly one after another then Q.

1. Early game

• Focus on farming early on so that you can get your first item as soon as possible. Save your Severum ammo if you can as the Weapon Abilites Q will be useful for trading in the lane if your Support initiates a fight.
• You may play around your Support/Jungler and set plays for them with your Gravitum Weapon Abilites Q. At no point, should you get too close to the enemy (even if they are CC'd).
• When equipped with the Infernum, you will become a gank target as you will automatically push the wave. Do your best to not let that happen and ask you Support to thin out the wave evenly so that you can farm properly.

2. Mid game

• Now you can start saving up on your Infernum ammo as the Ultimate Moonlight Vigil R will come in really handy during an objective fight.
• Although you have hit one of your power spikes, you will still have to maintain your distance from enemy champions who have hard CC in their kit. You may also need to be reactive (Flashing when someone uses Flash to try and CC you) and build appropriately (Grievous Wounds for example).
• Don't mess up the lane assignments and try to stay mid when possible. The lane is shorter and will allow you to escape assassination attempts with ease while being able to farm easily. You will also be able to get mid priority which can be translated to objectives.

3. Late game

• You should get at least one defensive item depending on the enemy team comp and fed carry as you will be a prime target. Always keep an eye out on your flanks and prioritize saving yourself.
• Don't get caught out trying to farm a side lane at this point. Neutral objectives are important at this point so always try to stay near the lane where the objective is about to spawn in the next few minutes.
• If you manage to find a pick on someone, don't hesitate to use your Ultimate Moonlight Vigil R to finish them off. Your Ultimate Moonlight Vigil R cooldown should be quite low at this point but do your best to save some Infernum rounds for a major fight.

Aphelios is one of the most intricate champions in League of Legends, designed for players who enjoy strategic decision-making and mechanical depth. His unique weapon system provides unparalleled versatility and impact, but mastering him requires patience and dedication. In the hands of a skilled player, Aphelios can dominate teamfights and carry games with his high damage and adaptability. If you’re ready to embrace the challenge, Aphelios offers a rewarding and electrifying experience on the Rift.

Thanks for Reading! If you want to gain more in-depth knowledge about LOL, check out many helpful articles here!

Good luck to you! – Cheng