Vladimir Vs. Gragas: Which Champion Is Best For Climbing The Ranks In League Of Legends?

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League of Legends (LoL) is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed and published by Riot Games. Set in the fantasy world of Runeterra, players assume the role of "champions" with unique abilities and battle in teams to destroy the opposing team's Nexus, a core building in their base. The game's strategic depth, dynamic combat, and diverse roster of champions have made it one of the most popular esports titles globally. When you embark on your journey, mmowow can lend a helping hand when you need help.

Vladimir and Gragas: Champion Roles and Skills
Vladimir and Gragas are two champions in LoL with distinct roles and playstyles.

Vladimir:

Role: AP (Ability Power) Mid-Laner, Sustain Mage.
Strengths: High sustain, strong late-game scaling, and AoE (Area of Effect) damage.
Gragas:

Role: AP Tank, Jungler/Support.
Strengths: High burst damage, crowd control (CC), and tackiness.
Vladimir: Skills, Runes, and Build
Skills:

Passive - Crimson Pact: Increases AP based on bonus health and health based on AP.
Q - Transfusion: Deals magic damage to ...
... a target and heals Vladimir.
W - Sanguine Pool: Vladimir sinks into a pool of blood, becoming untargetable and slowing enemies above.
E - Tides of Blood: Charges up and deals AoE magic damage around Vladimir.
R - Hemoplague: Infects an area with a plague, causing enemies to take increased damage and heal Vladimir based on the damage dealt.
Skill Order: Max Q first for sustain and damage, then E for increased AoE damage, and W last. R is leveled whenever possible.

Runes:

Primary (Sorcery):
Keystone: Phase Rush for Mobility.
Nimbus Cloak for speed after using summoner spells.
Transcendence for cooldown reduction.
Gathering Storm for late-game scaling.
Secondary (Resolve):
Second Wind for sustaining in the lane.
Revitalize to enhance healing effects.
Build:

Core Items:
Hextech Rocketbelt for gap closing and burst.
Rabadon's Deathcap for increased AP.
Zhonya's Hourglass for survivability and stasis.
Situational Items:
Spirit Visage for enhanced healing.
Morellonomicon for Grievous Wounds.
Playstyle:

Early Game: Focus on farming and sustaining in the lane with Q. Use W defensively.
Mid Game: Participate in team fights, and use R to amplify damage.
Late Game: Leverage high AP scaling to deal massive AoE damage and sustain through fights.
Gragas: Skills, Runes, and Build
Skills:

Passive - Happy Hour: Gragas heals after using an ability.
Q - Barrel Roll: Rolls a cask that slows enemies and explodes for magic damage.
W - Drunken Rage: Reduces damage taken and enhances the next basic attack.
E - Body Slam: Charges forward, knocking up and stunning enemies.
R - Explosive Cask: Throws a cask that explodes, knocking back enemies.
Skill Order: Max Q for poke and damage, then E for CC, and W last. R is leveled whenever possible.

Runes:

Primary (Domination):
Keystone: Electrocute for burst damage.
Sudden Impact for lethality.
Eyeball Collection for increased AP.
Relentless Hunter for mobility.
Secondary (Sorcery):
Nimbus Cloak for speed after summoner spells.
Waterwalking for river skirmishes.
Build:

Core Items:
Night Harvester for burst and cooldown reduction.
Zhonya's Hourglass for survivability.
Lich Bane for enhanced auto-attacks.
Situational Items:
Banshee's Veil for magic resistance.
Void Staff for magic penetration.
Playstyle:

Early Game: Use Q to poke and control objectives. Look for swindle opswindleunities with E.
Mid Game: Initiate fights with the E + R combo to displace and damage enemies.
Late Game: Act as a tanky initiator while dealing significant burst damage.
Combos and In-Game Tips
Vladimir:

Combos: Use E + Q for poke, W to dodge skill shots, and R to initiate fights.
Tips: Time your W to dodge crucial abilities. In team fights, use R to maximize team damage.
Gragas:

Combos: E + Q + R for maximum CC and burst.
Tips: Use R to split enemies or disengage fights. Q can be used for zone control.
Recommended Team Compositions
Vladimir:

Strong Engage Comp: Champions like Malphite and Amumu can engage and hold enemies for Vladimir to deal AoE damage.
Scaling Comp: Pair with hyper-carries like Jinx or Vayne who also scale into the late game.
Self-Sustain Comp: Teams with strong healing and sustain can complement Vladimir’s playstyle.
Gragas:

Engage Comp: Works well with champions like Yasuo and Orianna who can follow up on his CC.
Poke Comp: Pairs with poke champions like Ziggs or Jayce who can harass from a distance while Gragas provides frontline support.
Burst Comp: Teams with high burst damage like LeBlanc or Zed can capitalize on Gragas’ initiation.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Vladimir:

Advantages: Strong sustain, scales well into the late game, high AoE damage.
Disadvantages: Weak early game, vulnerable to CC and burst.
Recommendation: Vladimir is recommended for long-term play due to his late-game power and sustain.
Gragas:

Advantages: High burst damage, versatile (can be tanky or AP), strong CC.
Disadvantages: Requires precise skill usage, falls off if behind.
Recommendation: Gragas is effective for players who enjoy a more flexible and burst-oriented playstyle.

Vladimir and Gragas vs. Shaco: Strategies and Techniques
Early Game Strategy
Vladimir vs. Shaco:

Early Game: Vladimir’s early game is focused on surviving and farming. Shaco, a high-pressure jungler, often looks to create chaos with early ganks. Place deep wards to track Shaco’s movements and avoid his surprise attacks. Use Q - Q-Q-Transfusion to sustain through any poke damage and keep your health up.
Lane Control: Keep the wave near your tower to reduce the risk of ganks. Use W - Sanguine Pool to dodge Shaco’s E - Two-Shiv Poison and the burst from his Q - Deceive.
Gragas vs. Shaco:

Early Game: Gragas’s early game involves controlling the jungle and setting up ganks. Shaco’s stealth and high burst make him a tricky opponent. Use Q - Q-Barrel Roll to check bushes and deny Shaco’s attempts to invade or gank.
Lane Control: Secure vision around key jungle entrances. Use E-Body Slam to disengage or counter-gank when Shaco appears. Maintain control over objectives by frequently clearing wards and keeping track of Shaco’s position.
Mid Game Strategy
Vladimir vs. Shaco:

Mid Game: As Vladimir, your goal is to scale and reach your power spikes. Shaco will try to create pressure and force skirmishes. Join fights when you have R - R-Hemoplague available for maximum impact. Use E - E-Tides of Blood and Q to poke before engaging fully.
Team Fights: Position yourself in the backline, using W to dodge Shaco’s engages. Wait for Shaco to use his Q before committing to a fight, as this is his main tool for assassination and escape.
Gragas vs. Shaco:

Mid Game: Gragas excels in controlling fights and peeling for his team. Use R - Explosive Cask to disrupt Shaco’s engagement or split his team. W - Drunken Rage can be used to mitigate incoming damage, and E + Q for burst and crowd control.
Team Fights: Focus on protecting your carries from Shaco’s attempts to assassinate them. Use E to knock him up and Q for zoning. Proper use of R can isolate Shaco or disengage from unfavorable fights.

Late Game Strategy
Vladimir vs. Shaco:

Late Game: Vladimir shines in late-game team fights with his high sustain and AoE damage. Shaco’s role shifts to picking off isolated targets. Stay with your team to avoid getting caught alone. Use Q and E for sustained damage, and R to maximize team-wide impact.
Team Fights: Initiate with R to amplify your team’s damage. Use W to avoid key abilities and reposition. Focus on hitting as many enemies as possible with your AoE abilities.

Gragas vs. Shaco:

Late Game: Gragas’s role remains consistent in providing CC and peeling. Shaco’s late-game presence depends on his ability to assassinate squishy targets. Use your abilities to control the battlefield and protect your carries.
Team Fights: Start fights with R to displace key targets. Use E and Q to follow up on CC and secure kills. Position yourself between Shaco and your carries, using W to reduce damage taken.

Team Fighting and Engaging
Vladimir:

Initiating: Use R to start fights, catching multiple enemies in its radius. Follow up with E and Q to maximize damage.
Positioning: Stay behind your frontline. Use W to dodge critical abilities and reposition. Timing is crucial; enter the fight after a major CC has been used by the enemy.

Gragas:

Initiating: Use R to initiate fights by displacing the enemy team or isolating key targets. Follow up with E + Q combo to CC and damage.
Positioning: Stay close to your carries to peel for them. Use W to mitigate damage and E to knock up and stun high-priority targets like Shaco.
Practical Gameplay Tips for Vladimir

Lane Phase: Focus on farming with Q and use W defensively to dodge ganks. Trade effectively by using Q to poke and sustain.
Roaming: Look for opportunities to roam and help other lanes once you have R. Coordinate with your jungler to secure objectives.
Itemization: Build items that enhance your sustain and burst, such as Hextech Rocketbelt and Rabadon’s Deathcap. Adapt your build to the game’s pace, picking defensive items like Zhonya’s Hourglass if needed. However, when some players choose to explore further and become familiar with certain heroes, some players will choose to buy cheap lol accounts.

Conclusion
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Vladimir and Gragas against a tricky opponent like Shaco is key to excelling in League of Legends. Both champions offer unique advantages in different phases of the game and can significantly impact team fights with proper play. By mastering their abilities, positioning, and itemization, you can maximize their potential and lead your team to victory. We hope this guide provides valuable insights and enhances your gameplay experience with Vladimir and Gragas. Good luck on the Rift!