Dusk and Dawn

What is Dusk and Dawn? ☀️🌑

Dusk and Dawn is the AP hybrid on-hit item for mages and AP fighters who auto-attack as part of their damage pattern — a legendary that converts the SPELLBLADE mechanic from physical fighters into an AP-scaling on-hit burst, letting champions who cast abilities and then auto-attack deal significant bonus magic damage on each post-ability empowered hit. Unlike Lich Bane (pure AP + mana), Dusk and Dawn adds 25% attack speed and 350 HP — a stat profile designed for tanky AP fighters and on-hit mages who need to stay in melee range long enough to complete ability-then-auto sequences.

The dual application mechanic is what distinguishes Dusk and Dawn from a simple SPELLBLADE proc: the empowered attack not only deals the 75% base AD + 10% AP bonus magic damage on-hit, it also applies all on-hit effects a second time after 0.2 seconds. For champions who build multiple on-hit items alongside Dusk and Dawn, this secondary trigger doubles the on-hit output from items like Nashor’s Tooth, Wit’s End, and Guinsoo’s Rageblade — a compounding return on every additional on-hit item in the build path.

The 70 AP + 20 AH + 25% AS + 350 HP stat combination hits four distinct champion needs in one purchase: AP for ability damage scaling, AH for ability cooldown reduction (enabling faster ability-then-auto cycling), AS for maximising auto-attack frequency between abilities, and HP for melee-range survivability. Champions whose builds normally require two separate items to cover AP+AS or AP+HP find Dusk and Dawn consolidating those needs efficiently at 3,100 gold.

📊 Base Statistics

⚡ SPELLBLADE — Complete Mechanics Reference

Core Mechanic — Ability Into Auto-Attack Sequence

SPELLBLADE arms the next basic attack after any ability cast with 75% base AD + 10% AP bonus magic damage on-hit plus a second full application of all on-hit effects 0.2 seconds later. The 10-second window to consume the empowered attack gives significant flexibility — you don’t need to auto-attack immediately after casting, allowing attack-move or positioning between the ability cast and the empowered auto without losing the buff. Consecutive ability casts refresh the 10-second duration, meaning casting multiple abilities before auto-attacking keeps the SPELLBLADE buff active throughout the full ability rotation.

The 1.5-second cooldown starts after the empowered attack is consumed — not from the ability cast. This means the window between casting an ability and auto-attacking does not count against the cooldown. The CD only begins ticking once the empowered auto lands and the SPELLBLADE proc fires. Maximising SPELLBLADE frequency requires consuming the empowered attack quickly after each 1.5s CD expires, then casting another ability to arm the next cycle.

The Double On-Hit Application — Key Differentiator vs Lich Bane

What SPELLBLADE Does and Does NOT Interact With

🔨 Recipe & Components

Full build path with component costs and mid-build value:

🎯 When to Build Dusk and Dawn

Build Dusk and Dawn When:

• Playing an AP on-hit champion who builds 2+ on-hit items: The secondary 0.2-second on-hit application multiplies value from every on-hit item in the build. Champions building Nashor’s Tooth, Wit’s End, Guinsoo’s Rageblade, or Recurve Bow items alongside a SPELLBLADE passive extract double on-hit value per empowered auto. More on-hit items = more Dusk and Dawn value relative to alternatives like Lich Bane.
• Your champion needs both AP and attack speed in the same build: Dusk and Dawn delivers +70 AP and +25% AS in one item — the only SPELLBLADE item providing attack speed. For AP champions who auto-attack repeatedly between abilities, the AS ensures more empowered autos land per fight window while the AP amplifies ability damage simultaneously.
• Wanting a tanky AP item that doesn’t sacrifice offensive output: 350 HP alongside 70 AP is unusual for the AP item tree. Most pure AP items provide no HP. Dusk and Dawn’s HP component keeps melee AP fighters and AP bruisers alive in close-range exchanges where a pure glass cannon AP item would leave them too vulnerable to burst.
• Building into a sustained damage pattern rather than single-burst windows: SPELLBLADE’s 1.5-second cooldown with a 10-second buff window creates a rhythm of ability → empowered auto → ability → empowered auto cycling. Against fights lasting 10+ seconds, this sustained output compounds over multiple SPELLBLADE cycles. Bursty short-fight assassin patterns favour Lich Bane’s higher single-proc damage; sustained fighter/on-hit patterns favour Dusk and Dawn’s cycling efficiency.
• Champions who deal damage to structures as part of their game plan: Dusk and Dawn’s SPELLBLADE procs on-hit effects against structures even when those on-hit effects don’t normally apply to structures. For AP split-pushers who need tower damage as a consistent part of their win condition, Dusk and Dawn provides structure-applicable on-hit amplification unavailable from most AP items.

Do NOT Build Dusk and Dawn When:

• Pure AP burst mages who never auto-attack in combat (Lux, Ziggs, Xerath): The 25% AS and SPELLBLADE proc are completely wasted on champions whose damage pattern is purely ability-based with no auto-attack integration. Lux casting Q → E → R without autos between abilities generates SPELLBLADE stacks she never uses. Lich Bane is strictly better for pure AP burst mages who DO auto-attack, and dedicated AP items (Rabadon’s Deathcap, Shadowflame) are better for those who don’t.
• When the primary damage source is AP ability burst rather than on-hit: Dusk and Dawn’s SPELLBLADE proc scales at only 10% AP — 300 AP adds 30 damage to the proc. For AP champions who want SPELLBLADE primarily for burst damage, Lich Bane (1.5% AP scaling: 300 AP adds 450 to the proc) provides dramatically more burst per proc. Only build Dusk and Dawn when the double on-hit application or the tanky stat line is the primary value, not the SPELLBLADE proc damage itself.
• When you need maximum single-target burst in short engagements: Dusk and Dawn’s SPELLBLADE proc is relatively low damage for a 3,100g item. Against squishies who die within one ability rotation, Lich Bane or dedicated AP items provide more burst in the window available. Dusk and Dawn pays off over longer exchanges where multiple SPELLBLADE cycles contribute to total damage.
• You already have another SPELLBLADE item in the build: SPELLBLADE is limited to 1 per build. If building Trinity Force, Iceborn Gauntlet, or Lich Bane, Dusk and Dawn’s SPELLBLADE passive provides no additional value — the second SPELLBLADE item is a stat purchase without passive contribution.

👥 Best Champions for Dusk and Dawn

Optimal — AP On-Hit Fighters and Hybrid Auto-Attackers

• Kayle: Kayle’s ascension mechanic transitions her from a ranged AP caster to an auto-attacking angel with AoE melee range attacks at level 16. Dusk and Dawn’s SPELLBLADE fires on every Q (Radiant Blast) and E (Starfire Spellblade) cast with auto-attack follow-up — particularly strong at level 11+ when Kayle’s auto-attacks apply on-hit effects in AoE. The 350 HP keeps Kayle durable during the melee-range late-game phase. 25% AS accelerates her already attack-speed-scaling late game further.
• Kennen: Mark of the Storm (passive) stacks charge from abilities, and Kennen’s Q + W + E rotation into auto-attack is a natural SPELLBLADE cycle. The 70 AP amplifies all ability damage. The secondary on-hit application from SPELLBLADE triggers Kennen’s on-hit Mark of the Storm stack generation twice — potentially generating two Stun stacks from one empowered auto in the right circumstances. 25% AS accelerates Mark generation between abilities.
• Teemo: Toxic Shot (E) on-hit poison is applied on every auto-attack and is triggered by on-hit effects. Dusk and Dawn’s SPELLBLADE double on-hit application means each empowered auto applies Toxic Shot (E) twice — two Toxic Shot applications from one auto-attack. 70 AP amplifies E’s AP scaling directly. Blinding Dart (Q) and Move Quick (W) are cast before engaging, naturally arming SPELLBLADE before the first auto sequence.
• Sett (AP build — niche): Sett’s Haymaker (W) is a large HP-scaling physical ability; however AP Sett builds exist that use The Show Stopper (R) into SPELLBLADE for surprise burst. 350 HP keeps Sett tanky. 25% AS supports his auto-attack pattern. Niche — standard Sett builds don’t use AP, but Dusk and Dawn’s HP + AP hybrid is one of the better items for the niche AP variant.
• Veigar (AP on-hit niche): While Veigar is primarily a burst mage (Lich Bane preferred), the Dusk and Dawn double on-hit with Nashor’s Tooth in extended fights provides continuous damage. 70 AP adds to Veigar’s AP stacking (each AP source adds to his Phenomenal Evil passive AP gain). Situational — most Veigar builds don’t prioritise on-hit, but the double application with Nashor’s is meaningful if the build leans into sustained AP output.
• Volibear (AP build): Stormbringer (R) deals AP magic damage from lightning — AP Volibear uses Dusk and Dawn’s SPELLBLADE to amplify his ability-then-auto pattern (Frenzied Maul Q into Thundering Smash W). The 350 HP and 25% AS compound with Volibear’s naturally AS-scaling passive. The secondary on-hit application with AP items creates sustained magic damage output in the prolonged melee skirmishes Volibear favours.
• Mordekaiser: Obliterate (Q) into Indestructible (W) ability rotation naturally arms SPELLBLADE for the follow-up auto-attack. 70 AP amplifies Mordekaiser’s Q, W, and R (Death Realm) damage. 350 HP aligns with Mordekaiser’s inherently tanky AP fighter identity. The SPELLBLADE double on-hit fires on top of Mordekaiser’s own on-hit damage from Q’s empowered hit. 20 AH reduces Realm of Death (R) cooldown meaningfully.

Situational

• Twisted Fate (AP on-hit): Pick A Card (W) gold card stun naturally precedes an auto-attack — SPELLBLADE fires reliably on the follow-up gold card auto. 70 AP amplifies gold card’s stun damage and Destiny (R). However, Twisted Fate’s primary items are typically pure AP or Lich Bane; Dusk and Dawn is situational when the on-hit pattern is prioritised over burst.
• Gangplank (AP cannon build — very niche): Gangplank’s Powder Keg interactions with on-hit effects create unusual build synergies. 350 HP is relevant for his durability needs. Highly niche — standard Gangplank is physical; AP Gangplank is a specific off-meta variant.

Not Recommended

• Pure ability-spam mages without auto-attack integration (Lux, Syndra, Orianna): SPELLBLADE requires casting an ability then auto-attacking. Pure backline mages who never approach melee range to auto-attack waste the entire passive and the 25% AS stat.
• AD physical carries and fighters: 70 AP provides no AD scaling benefit. Physical damage builds use Trinity Force or Iceborn Gauntlet for SPELLBLADE with physical damage amplification.
• Supports and enchanters: No heal/shield AP ratios and the attack speed are misaligned with support build priorities.

⚙️ Recommended Build Paths

Kayle — Full AP On-Hit Ascension Build

1. Sheen — First back (900g): SPELLBLADE active at Sheen level; AP + AH; live SPELLBLADE from 900g for early fight pattern
2. Dusk and Dawn — First full item (3,100g): Full SPELLBLADE at Dusk and Dawn power level; 70 AP amplifies Radiant Blast (Q) and Starfire Spellblade (E); 25% AS compounds with Kayle’s AS-scaling passives; 350 HP keeps Kayle durable during melee-range ascension phase
3. Nashor’s Tooth — Second item: 15% AP on-hit doubles to 30% AP per SPELLBLADE proc via secondary trigger; 100 AP compounds with Dusk and Dawn’s 70 AP; significant AS bonus stacks with Dusk and Dawn’s 25%
4. Rabadon’s Deathcap — Third item: 30% total AP amplification applies to both Dusk and Dawn’s SPELLBLADE (10% AP component now larger) and Nashor’s on-hit (15% AP component amplified); total AP reaches ~300+ at this point
5. Riftmaker — Fourth item: Void Corruption stacking AP and omnivamp; SPELLBLADE benefits from omnivamp (heals on proc); omni sustain keeps Kayle alive through prolonged melee-range fights at level 11+
6. Shadowflame — Fifth item: Cinderbloom magic pen bonus against low-HP targets; additional AP; magic pen ensures SPELLBLADE and Nashor’s on-hit proc maximum effective damage in late-game against MR-building opponents

Mordekaiser — AP Fighter Sustained Build

7. Sheen — First back (900g): early SPELLBLADE for Obliterate (Q) cycling; AP + AH
8. Dusk and Dawn — First item (3,100g): SPELLBLADE from Q into auto; 350 HP aligns with Mordekaiser’s fighter durability; 20 AH reduces Realm of Death (R) CD; 70 AP amplifies all Q/W/R damage
9. Rylai’s Crystal Scepter — Second item: SPELLBLADE proc applies Rylai’s slow (if classified as a spell/on-hit capable of triggering slow); HP compounds with Dusk and Dawn’s 350 HP for a substantial health total; AP addition
10. Demonic Embrace — Third item: Azakana’s Gaze % max HP burn; AP + HP; the burn stacks during prolonged Death Realm fights where Mordekaiser has isolated the target — SPELLBLADE cycling adds on-hit output while Azakana’s burns percentage HP simultaneously
11. Shadowflame — Fourth item: magic pen against low-HP targets; AP; ensures SPELLBLADE proc damage is not reduced by MR stacking in Death Realm
12. Rabadon’s Deathcap — Fifth item: 30% AP amplification on the total AP stack accumulated through the build; late-game AP multiplier

⚖️ SPELLBLADE Items — Choosing the Right Passive

SPELLBLADE is limited to 1 item. The choice between all SPELLBLADE items determines the ability-into-auto pattern’s damage type, scaling stat, and build direction:

🔄 Similar Items — AP Hybrid & On-Hit Family

❌ Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

• Building Dusk and Dawn on pure ability-spam mages who never auto-attack: SPELLBLADE requires an ability cast followed by a basic attack within 10 seconds. A Lux who fires Q → E → R without ever auto-attacking has an armed SPELLBLADE buff she never consumes. The 25% AS and the entire passive are wasted. Before buying Dusk and Dawn, confirm that your champion’s fight pattern includes regular auto-attacks following ability casts.
• Expecting Dusk and Dawn’s SPELLBLADE to match Lich Bane’s burst damage: At 300 AP, Dusk and Dawn’s SPELLBLADE proc deals approximately 30 additional damage from the AP component (10% × 300 = 30). Lich Bane deals 450 from the same AP (1.5% × 300 = 450). If you’re buying Dusk and Dawn expecting Lich Bane-level burst, the proc damage will disappoint. Dusk and Dawn’s value is in the double on-hit application and hybrid stat line, not the SPELLBLADE burst.
• Buying a second SPELLBLADE item and expecting both passives to be active: SPELLBLADE is limited to 1 item. Building both Dusk and Dawn and Lich Bane means only the first SPELLBLADE item’s passive is active — the second is purely a stat purchase without passive contribution. Identify which SPELLBLADE item provides the most value and commit to it.
• Not using the 10-second buff window to time auto-attacks: Consecutive ability casts refresh the 10-second duration. You don’t need to auto-attack after the first ability — you can cast your full ability rotation and then consume SPELLBLADE with the final auto-attack while all on-hit effects double-trigger. This is important for champions with long ability rotations: complete the rotation, then auto for the empowered hit, rather than interrupting the rotation to consume SPELLBLADE after the first cast.
• Hitting jungle plants accidentally and wasting SPELLBLADE: SPELLBLADE cannot trigger against jungle plants and is not consumed by hitting them — this is a protection, not a penalty. However, knowing this rule prevents confusion: if you hit a plant and the buff appears not to have triggered, that’s the intended mechanic, not a bug.
• Expecting SPELLBLADE to crit: SPELLBLADE explicitly is not affected by critical strike modifiers. Building crit chance and expecting SPELLBLADE to amplify from the crit build provides no benefit to the proc damage. Dusk and Dawn is specifically not a crit-direction item — the proc damage cannot be amplified by crit even at 100% crit chance.

✅ Best Practices

• Complete your ability rotation before consuming SPELLBLADE: Consecutive ability casts refresh the 10-second SPELLBLADE window. Cast your full Q → W → E rotation, then auto-attack — the empowered hit fires after all ability damage has been applied. This maximises total damage per exchange while ensuring SPELLBLADE consumes at the optimal point in the rotation.
• Build at least 2 on-hit items alongside Dusk and Dawn to justify it over Lich Bane: The double on-hit secondary trigger is Dusk and Dawn’s defining advantage. With only 1 on-hit item (Dusk and Dawn itself), the secondary trigger fires only the SPELLBLADE proc a second time — modest value. With Nashor’s Tooth, Wit’s End, and/or Guinsoo’s Rageblade, each providing per-auto on-hit magic damage, the secondary trigger fires all of them again. Build Nashor’s Tooth as the immediate complement to unlock sustained double on-hit cycling.
• Use SPELLBLADE’s structure interaction for split-push pressure: SPELLBLADE procs on-hit effects against structures — including on-hit items that don’t normally apply to towers. In a split-push scenario, the double on-hit proc against the tower adds meaningful tower DPS beyond the normal SPELLBLADE bonus damage. Time ability casts before each tower auto-attack cycle to keep SPELLBLADE armed for the tower hits throughout the siege.
• Account for dodge and block when playing against those mechanics: SPELLBLADE can be dodged (not triggered, buff not consumed) and blocked (damage negated, buff consumed, CD starts). Against Jax (Counter Strike E dodge window), time SPELLBLADE consumption after his dodge window expires — if he’s mid-dodge, the empowered attack is wasted and the CD starts. Against champions with physical/spell blocking mechanics, be aware SPELLBLADE’s buff can be consumed without delivering damage.
• Leverage the lifesteal and omnivamp healing from SPELLBLADE proc: SPELLBLADE benefits from lifesteal and omnivamp — the proc’s magic damage heals the attacker based on lifesteal/omnivamp percentage. In builds that include Riftmaker (omnivamp), each SPELLBLADE proc provides additional sustain healing from the proc damage itself. This is a meaningful survival tool in prolonged skirmishes where SPELLBLADE cycles multiple times.

🎬 Final Summary

Dusk and Dawn is the SPELLBLADE item for AP on-hit fighters and hybrid auto-attack mages — a legendary that brings SPELLBLADE’s ability-into-auto pattern to AP champions who need both ability power and attack speed in the same build, with a tanky 350 HP component that keeps them alive in melee-range exchanges. The secondary on-hit trigger at 0.2 seconds is the passive’s unique mechanical contribution: every on-hit item in the build applies twice per empowered auto window, creating compounding returns as more on-hit items are added.

The low SPELLBLADE AP scaling (10% AP vs Lich Bane’s 1.5%) is the honest caveat — if SPELLBLADE proc burst damage is the primary reason you’re buying a SPELLBLADE item, Lich Bane is the correct choice for AP-heavy builds. Dusk and Dawn’s proc damage is modest on its own. The item pays off when two or more on-hit items multiply the secondary trigger value, when the hybrid stat profile (AP + AS + HP + AH) covers multiple build needs in one purchase, or when structure pressure from the on-hit proc against towers is part of the game plan.

The combination of Dusk and Dawn + Nashor’s Tooth represents the core AP on-hit two-item core: SPELLBLADE double-triggers Nashor’s 15% AP on-hit for 30% AP bonus magic damage per empowered auto window, while Nashor’s own attack speed and AP compound with Dusk and Dawn’s 25% AS and 70 AP for a cohesive sustained damage cycling build. Champions like Kayle, Mordekaiser, Kennen, and Teemo who naturally integrate auto-attacks into ability-heavy rotations extract the maximum value from this combination.

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FAQ

Q: Does Dusk and Dawn’s SPELLBLADE proc deal magic damage or physical damage?

A: Bonus magic damage. The 75% base AD component is the scaling formula, but the damage type is magic — not physical. This is significant when building against magic-resistant targets (the bonus magic damage is reduced by MR) and when considering magic pen items (Shadowflame, Void Staff). Unlike Trinity Force’s SPELLBLADE (physical damage) or Iceborn Gauntlet (physical damage), Dusk and Dawn’s proc is specifically magic damage.

Q: Can SPELLBLADE proc critically strike?

A: No — SPELLBLADE is explicitly not affected by critical strike modifiers. Regardless of crit chance, Infinity Edge, or crit amplification runes, SPELLBLADE deals its stated bonus damage without any crit component. Building crit chance items alongside Dusk and Dawn provides no benefit to the SPELLBLADE proc itself — only the auto-attack’s base damage can crit, not the on-hit SPELLBLADE addition.

Q: Does the secondary on-hit application at 0.2 seconds trigger all on-hit effects or only specific ones?

A: All on-hit effects trigger on both applications. Nashor’s Tooth‘s on-hit magic damage, Wit’s End on-hit magic damage, Guinsoo’s Rageblade WRATH, Blade of the Ruined King‘s on-hit — all apply once at the initial hit and once at the 0.2-second secondary trigger. The SPELLBLADE bonus damage itself also applies in both applications. Each on-hit item in the build effectively doubles its per-SPELLBLADE-proc value during the empowered attack window.

Q: Is there a map-specific version of Dusk and Dawn in Arena?

A: Dusk and Dawn is available in Arena with the same stats as SR 5v5 — no significant Arena-specific stat modifications are listed in the current patch. Arena’s faster pacing and shorter round durations mean SPELLBLADE’s 1.5-second cooldown represents proportionally more of the available fight time, making efficient empowered auto consumption more important in Arena than in SR’s longer teamfight windows.

Q: Does SPELLBLADE proc trigger Eclipse’s EVER RISING MOON?

A: SPELLBLADE is proc damage, not an ability. Eclipse‘s EVER RISING MOON requires damage from specific sources (abilities, basic attacks, item effects with debuff application) to generate stacks. The interaction depends on whether SPELLBLADE’s proc damage is classified as a valid stack source for EVER RISING MOON — this is a known interaction that can vary by patch. Check the current League of Legends wiki for the latest confirmed interaction. As a general rule: the base auto-attack that consumes SPELLBLADE generates an EVER RISING MOON stack from the basic attack itself; the SPELLBLADE bonus proc damage is a separate classification.

Q: When is Dusk and Dawn better than Lich Bane?

A: Dusk and Dawn is better than Lich Bane when: (1) your build includes 2+ on-hit items that benefit from the secondary 0.2-second double application, (2) you need the 350 HP for melee-range survival that Lich Bane doesn’t provide, (3) you need the 25% AS for attack speed scaling that Lich Bane doesn’t provide, or (4) you don’t need mana (Lich Bane provides mana; Dusk and Dawn does not). Lich Bane is better when the SPELLBLADE proc burst damage from high AP scaling is the primary value — at 300 AP, Lich Bane’s proc adds ~450 AP-scaled damage vs Dusk and Dawn’s ~30.