Vladimir: The Crimson Reaper

Vladimir is a champion in League of Legends played in the Mid lane, classified as a Battlemage. He uses Crimson Rush (secondary resource bar, 2 points). He deals Magic damage. Vladimir was released on July 27, 2010, and was last updated in patch V25.23. Store price: 1575 Blue Essence / 790 RP.

📊 Base Statistics

💡 Crimson Rush — The 2-Point Resource System: Crimson Rush generates 1 point per Q cast, accumulating over Q’s cooldown after each use. At 2 points, Vladimir enters a Crimson Rush surge state — the next Q cast during the surge consumes all 2 points for dramatically amplified damage and healing. The resource system operates on a simple rhythm: Q cast 1 (1 point) → Q’s cooldown elapses → Q cast 2 (2 points) → wait for surge → Q cast 3 during surge (consume all Rush for empowered Q). This rhythm occurs every two Q cycles, making Rush-empowered Q available approximately every 9–15 seconds depending on Q rank cooldown (9/7.9/6.8/5.7/4.6s) — two cooldown cycles plus the surge timing.

🩸 Passive: Crimson Pact

INNATE: Vladimir gains 3.5% bonus health as ability power and 160% AP as bonus health. These two bonuses do not stack with each other.

�� Crimson Pact — The HP/AP Dual Scaling Engine: Crimson Pact is why Vladimir’s itemization is unlike any other champion. A Warmog’s Armor (800 bonus HP): grants 800 × 3.5% = 28 free AP on top of its HP. A Rabadon’s Deathcap (120 AP amplified): grants 120 × 160% = 192 free bonus HP on top of its AP. The non-stacking caveat means these conversions apply to all stats simultaneously but each bonus only converts in one direction — bonus HP generates AP, and the resulting AP doesn’t then generate additional bonus HP in a loop. At 500 total bonus HP from items: 500 × 3.5% = 17.5 AP. At 500 AP: 500 × 160% = 800 bonus HP. Vladimir is the only champion who buys HP items for AP and AP items for HP as genuine itemization logic rather than a compromise.

🩸 Q: Transfusion

ACTIVE: Vladimir drains blood from the target enemy, dealing magic damage and healing himself. He generates 1 point of Crimson Rush over the cooldown.

AT 2 CRIMSON RUSH POINTS: Vladimir surges, gaining 10–40% bonus MS (based on level) decaying over 0.5 seconds. Crimson Rush depletes over 2.5 seconds (75% slower during Sanguine Pool, Tides of Blood, or stasis). Casting Transfusion during the surge consumes all Crimson Rush for 85% increased damage and additional missing HP healing.

💡 Empowered Q Missing HP Heal at 500 AP: Empowered Q additional heal formula: 30–220 (level-based) + 5% + (4% per 100 AP) of missing health. At level 18 with 500 AP: 220 + 5% + 20% = 25% of Vladimir’s missing HP healed per empowered Q. At 40% HP remaining on 2763 HP (Vladimir at ~1660 HP, 1103 missing HP): 25% of 1103 = 275 HP healed from empowered Q alone. Combined with the base 40 + 35% AP = 215 standard heal component, empowered Q heals approximately 490 HP total at 500 AP from below 50% HP. Vladimir’s self-sustain in fights isn’t through items — it’s through Rush timing relative to incoming burst windows

🌊 W: Sanguine Pool

ACTIVE: Vladimir sinks into a pool of blood, becoming untargetable and ghosted for 2 seconds. He gains 37.5% bonus MS decaying over 1 second. Enemies within the pool take magic damage every 0.5 seconds and are slowed by 40%. Vladimir heals for 30% of pre-mitigation damage dealt (18% from minions). Cannot use basic attacks or abilities during Sanguine Pool but can still move. If Tides of Blood is charging at activation, that ability may still be recast.

💡 W Untargetable — What It Does and Doesn’t Block: Untargetable means Vladimir cannot be targeted by any targeted ability or basic attack during the 2 seconds. However, area-of-effect abilities and ground-targeted abilities that were already in flight still hit Vladimir — Karthus Requiem, Viktor’s Arcane Storm ticks, Katarina blades on the ground. The 2-second window absorbs: Zed Death Mark (targeted mark is removed), Ahri Charm (targeted), Lux Light Binding (targeted). It does NOT absorb: previously-thrown Syndra orbs mid-air, Fiddle fear that had already been cast, Lux Finales Funkeln laser (ground-targeted). The 15% current HP cost is Vladimir’s most punishing resource — at 2763 HP, W costs 414 HP. Using W at low HP costs less HP in raw numbers but leaves Vladimir more vulnerable if the W doesn’t generate sufficient pool damage healing to offset the cost.

💉 E: Tides of Blood

ACTIVE: Vladimir charges for up to 1.5 seconds, increasing Tides of Blood’s damage over the first second of the channel, and becomes slowed 20% after the first second for the remaining duration. Tides of Blood can be recast within the duration (auto-fires afterwards or if interrupted). Recast unleashes 15 blood bolts in a nova that each deal magic damage to the first enemy hit. If charged for at least 1 second, enemies hit are also slowed 40–60%. Enemies can intercept multiple bolts but are damaged only once.

💡 E Max HP Scaling — Why HP Items Double-Dip: Tides of Blood minimum damage per bolt: 30–90 + 1.5% max HP + 35% AP. At 3000 max HP (achievable with HP items): 1.5% of 3000 = 45 bonus magic damage per bolt. Against a champion hit by the maximum bolt intercept (usually 2–3 bolts at close range, damage capped at one instance), this HP scaling directly benefits from the Crimson Pact itemization. Every HP item simultaneously increases E’s flat damage via 1.5% max HP and generates free AP via Crimson Pact 3.5% conversion, which then also increases E’s 35% AP component. Each HP item provides three separate damage contributions to E: direct max HP scaling, AP from Crimson Pact conversion, and increased survivability that extends fight duration for subsequent E uses.

🦠 R: Hemoplague

ACTIVE: Vladimir spreads a virulent plague at the target location that infects enemies hit for 4 seconds, increasing the damage they take from all sources by 10%. After the 4-second duration, the infection bursts to deal magic damage to all affected targets. After a 0.4-second delay, Vladimir heals for each infected champion (reduced by 40% for champions beyond the first).

💡 Hemoplague 10% Universal Damage Amplification: The 10% damage amplification affects every damage source during the 4-second infection — Vladimir’s own Q, E, W pool ticks, ally abilities, turret damage, DoT effects already ticking, and item procs. In a coordinated teamfight where Vladimir hits 3 enemies with R: every ally’s burst combo during the 4-second window deals 10% more damage against all three targets. Against a 2500 HP carry who receives the combined burst of a Zed (1000 total) + Vladimir (800 total) in 4 seconds under R: 10% of 1800 combined burst = 180 bonus damage from R’s amplification alone, before R’s own 350 + 70% AP burst adds at expiry. The heal at 500 AP against 3 infected champions: (350 + 350) × 1 + (350+350) × 0.6 × 2 = 1120 HP healed from 3 champions

🎯 Strategies and Gameplay Tips

Early Game (Levels 1–6)

• Q Rhythm Establishment — First Priority: Vladimir’s laning pattern revolves entirely around maintaining Q cooldown discipline. Fire Q on the enemy champion every time it’s available for damage and Crimson Rush generation. Never hold Q longer than 1 second off cooldown during the laning phase — each delayed Q pushes back the Rush surge timing by a full cooldown cycle. At level 1, Q’s 9-second cooldown means Rush 2-point surge is available approximately every 18 seconds. At rank 5 Q (4.6s CD), surge is available every ~10 seconds — one of the most frequent empowered ability cycles in the game.
• W as a Reactive Escape, Not an Opener: Sanguine Pool costs 15% current HP — at 600 base HP, that’s 90 HP at level 1. Never use W as an opener in early trades because the HP cost sets Vladimir back before trading even begins. W’s 2-second untargetable window is most valuable as a dodge for incoming burst abilities: Zed R Death Mark, Ahri Charm, Lux Light Binding, LeBlanc chain. The 28-second base cooldown at rank 1 means one W every 28 seconds — each use is precious. The pool damage (20 per tick at rank 1) and 30% lifesteal heal are minimal early game; the primary value is untargetable evasion.
• E Free Cast Below 12% HP: If Vladimir drops below 12% max HP, Tides of Blood costs no health for that cast. In desperate low-HP trades or under-tower fights, this provides a free nova burst that might secure a kill or zone the enemy. The 12% threshold at 600 HP base = 72 HP remaining — Vladimir is near-dead regardless, but the free E provides one final burst opportunity without accelerating his own death through HP cost.

Mid Game (Levels 7–13)

• Crimson Rush Surge Timing Around Enemy Abilities: The surge state (Crimson Rush at 2 points) grants 10–40% bonus MS for 0.5 seconds before empowered Q fires. The MS burst during surge can be used to close distance before firing empowered Q or dodge a slow projectile then turn and fire empowered Q during the chase. Experienced Vladimir players recognize the surge timing and use the 0.5-second MS window for micro-repositioning that changes the trade geometry — step forward to catch a retreating enemy with empowered Q range, step sideways to dodge a skillshot during the surge MS burst.
• W + E Combo — The Core Fight Pattern: The most effective Vladimir sustained fight sequence: Q (start Rush generation) → E charge 1+ second (slow charged) → W activation (untargetable while E bolts travel) → E auto-fires or recast during W → pool damage ticks + 30% lifesteal heal → Q again after W ends (Rush point 2 building) → Rush surge → empowered Q for massive heal. Critically: if Tides of Blood is charging when W activates, E can still be recast during the pool. This overlap means Vladimir fires E nova while simultaneously untargetable — receiving zero targeted damage during the E hit window.
• R Timing — Before Ally Burst, Not After: Hemoplague’s 10% damage amplification applies to all damage during the 4-second infection window — including ally burst that follows the R. Fire R first, then the rest of the combo rather than using R as a cleanup tool. Against a target who is about to receive Malphite R + ADC burst combo: R lands, Malphite R launches (10% more damage), ADC fires (10% more damage), Vladimir fires Q + E (10% more on his own damage too). Against a single target with only Vladimir: R → Q → E → W → empowered Q (all during 4-second window = all get 10% amplification). R fired after abilities waste the amplification window on the previous combo’s damage that has already been dealt.

Late Game (Level 14+)

• Empowered Q Missing HP Heal as Clutch Survival: At 500 AP, empowered Q heals 25% of Vladimir’s missing HP plus the standard 175 HP base/AP heal. In a late-game scenario at 30% HP (826 HP remaining, 1937 HP missing): 25% of 1937 = 484 HP missing HP heal + 175 standard = 659 HP healed in one empowered Q cast. Vladimir at 30% HP who fires Rush-empowered Q effectively goes from 30% HP to approximately 54% HP in a single ability cast while dealing 296 + 111% AP damage. This 24% HP recovery in one ability fires every two Q cycles (~10 seconds at max rank) — Vladimir’s “low HP mode” is often more dangerous than full HP because the missing HP heal scales exponentially as his HP drops.
• R + Multi-Target Healing: Against a 5-champion teamfight where Vladimir infects all 5 with R: first champion heal = 350 + 350 (70% AP at 500AP) = 700 HP. Second champion: 700 × 60% = 420 HP. Third: 700 × 60% × 60% = 252 HP. Fourth: 151 HP. Fifth: 91 HP. Total heal from 5 infected champions: 700 + 420 + 252 + 151 + 91 = 1614 HP — after an R that also dealt 350 + 350 = 700 magic damage to each infected champion and amplified all damage taken by 10% during the 4 seconds. R landing on a full 5-champion teamfight simultaneously delivers maximum burst damage AND near-full HP restoration.
• Sanguine Pool Crimson Rush Preservation: Crimson Rush depletes 75% slower during Sanguine Pool. If Vladimir is at 2 Rush points (surge active) and activates W, the surge state persists through the entire 2-second W duration and for approximately 2 seconds after W ends (75% slower depletion × 2.5 second normal depletion = approximately 10 seconds of surge preservation). This means W can be used reactively to dodge a burst while Vladimir retains the empowered Q opportunity for after W ends. The standard play: enemy burst incoming → W (preserve Rush surge, dodge burst) → W ends → empowered Q fires into the now-committed attacker.

❌ Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Using W Offensively as an Opener: Sanguine Pool’s 15% current HP cost is too high to justify as an opener. At full HP 2763, W costs 414 HP upfront. The pool damage (75 × 4 ticks = 300 at max rank + 3.75% bonus HP) and 30% lifesteal heal only cover the HP cost if enemies stand in the pool for the full 2 seconds. W is a reactive defensive tool — use it to dodge the ability that would reduce Vladimir’s HP by more than 414, not as the initiator of a trade that begins with a 414 HP deficit.
• Wasting Empowered Q on Full HP Vladimir: Empowered Q’s additional heal is based on Vladimir’s missing HP — at full HP, there is no missing HP to heal. Firing empowered Q when Vladimir is at 95%+ HP wastes the most powerful component of the ability. The optimal empowered Q timing is always when Vladimir has taken some damage — even 15% missing HP from a W cost creates a meaningful healing return. Build this habit: use W, take some poke damage, now fire empowered Q for maximum healing benefit.
• Charging E for Full Duration in Melee Range: Tides of Blood’s 20% self-slow applies after the first second of charge — in close-quarters fighting, this makes Vladimir nearly stationary for 0.5 seconds between 1-second charge completion and recast. At melee range against an assassin, that 0.5-second self-slow is sufficient for a full combo to land before the E fires. Either charge E for exactly 1 second and immediately recast (maximum slow + minimum self-slow window) or fire E instantly (no slow but no self-slow either). Never hold E past 1 second in melee range — the self-slow creates a vulnerability window that negates the E’s offensive value.
• R After Instead of Before Allies: Hemoplague amplification applies to damage taken during the 4-second window — past damage is already done. Firing R after an ally burst sequence means the amplification only applies to subsequent hits rather than the full combo. Always coordinate R to land 0.5–1 second before the primary burst window. In a dive composition, R should land as the engage begins (Malphite R incoming), not after the engage has already reduced the target to 20% HP.
• Ignoring Crimson Pact Itemization Logic: Buying pure AP items without HP items early misses the Crimson Pact HP-to-AP bonus. Vladimir’s optimal itemization includes at least one HP-primary item (Warmog’s, Heartsteel, Rylai’s) early to generate free AP from HP while the AP items simultaneously grant free HP. A pure AP build (Luden’s + Shadowflame + Rabadon’s) on Vladimir ignores 800+ free bonus HP from AP conversion that would otherwise translate back into additional E 1.5% max HP damage, W pool damage, and survival — all simultaneously.

⚙️ Recommended Build and Itemization

Core Items

• Rylai’s Crystal Scepter: AP + HP for Crimson Pact dual conversion. The slow on ability hit permanently applies to Vladimir’s Q at 600 range — every Q poke slows the target by 15% for 1 second, enabling the follow-up E nova slow stacking. HP feeds E’s 1.5% max HP bolt damage directly. The AP from Rylai’s converts to HP via Crimson Pact, and that HP feeds E’s damage — a genuine circular benefit rather than a theoretical one.
• Demonic Embrace: Burns 2% max HP magic damage per second on ability hits — Vladimir’s rapid Q cycling means Demonic Embrace burns approximately every 5–10 seconds during active fights. HP gives AP via Crimson Pact. AP scaling (1% bonus HP per 100 AP from Demonic’s passive) adds additional HP that feeds back into E scaling and W pool damage. Demonic Embrace is the item that most fully exploits Vladimir’s dual HP/AP conversion identity.
• Shadowflame: Flat magic pen for Q and E through shields. Shield-shredding against Lulu, Janna, and Karma support compositions that try to protect carries through Vladimir’s sustained poke. The AP scaling on Q (60%), empowered Q (111%), and R (70%) all benefit from flat pen during the burst window when shields are most likely to be active.

Situational Items

• Warmog’s Armor: High HP volume for Crimson Pact AP conversion and E max HP scaling. The Warmog’s passive (HP regeneration when not having taken damage for 3+ seconds) interacts with W’s 2-second untargetable window: W avoids damage for 2 seconds, and if no additional hits follow, Warmog’s regen activates after 1 more second. In extended sieges with brief windows between poke exchanges, Warmog’s effectively regenerates Vladimir to full HP between wave-clears.
• Rabadon’s Deathcap: AP multiplier amplifying all conversion values simultaneously — the resulting AP increase grants more bonus HP via Crimson Pact (160% AP → HP), which then feeds E’s 1.5% max HP scaling. At 500 AP pre-Rabadon’s: 500 × 160% = 800 bonus HP from AP conversion. Rabadon’s converts 500 to ~650 AP: 650 × 160% = 1040 bonus HP from AP conversion — 240 additional HP purely from buying one item’s AP amplification.
• Zhonya’s Hourglass: The 2.5-second stasis extends Sanguine Pool-like survivability by a further 2.5 seconds. Post-W (2s untargetable) → Zhonya’s (2.5s stasis) = 4.5 seconds of combined invulnerability, during which Crimson Rush depletes 75% slower during W’s phase. The armor also partially addresses Vladimir’s 24 base armor fragility against burst AD compositions. Zhonya’s active during R’s 4-second amplification window means Vladimir is untargetable for 2.5 of those 4 seconds while allies benefit from the 10% amplification.

⚔️ Counter Picks & Matchups

✅ Vladimir Counters

1. Malzahar

Malzahar’s Nether Grasp (R) 2.5-second suppression appears threatening — but Vladimir’s Sanguine Pool removes the suppression because it makes him untargetable, which breaks targeted CC. Malzahar fires R onto Vladimir → W immediately → R suppression broken → Malzahar is committed to melee range for 2.5 seconds → E + Q empowered volley hits a stationary Malzahar at point-blank. Malzahar’s low mobility and reliance on R as the primary defense against diving makes him consistently vulnerable to this W counter-pattern.

2. Syndra

Syndra’s burst window (Force of Will + Unleashed Power) deals the highest single-combo magic damage in the mid lane — but W’s 2-second untargetable absorbs Force of Will (targeted) and Unleashed Power (targeted projectile burst). Vladimir fires W specifically against Unleashed Power to negate Syndra’s primary damage source. Post-W, Vladimir’s sustained Q cycling and W pool damage outlast Syndra’s ability cooldowns — at equal AP levels, the Crimson Pact HP buffer survives Syndra’s burst where other mid laners cannot.

3. Akali

Akali’s burst relies on Five Point Strike Q slow → Perfect Execution R → Shuriken Flip E dive sequence. Sanguine Pool removes targeted Akali CC and provides untargetable evasion during the Perfect Execution R burst phase. The pool’s 40% slow against Akali inside it prevents immediate retreat after the initial dive. Vladimir’s sustained Q healing outpaces Akali’s attrition-based burst pattern in extended fights, and R’s 10% amplification against Akali affects all her subsequent damage while Vladimir’s heal offsets the incoming burst.

❌ Vladimir is Countered By

1. Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia’s Noxious Blast (Q) applies Poison — her Twin Fang (E) can be spammed on-hit every 0.75 seconds against a poisoned target, generating mana from each Twin Fang heal. Vladimir’s W dodge avoids the initial Q Poison application, but Cassiopeia’s sustained DPS from repeated Twin Fangs applies damage faster than Vladimir’s Q heal cycle can recover. Petrifying Gaze (R) turns Vladimir to stone if facing Cassiopeia — Vladimir cannot W reactive during the R cast easily. The matchup punishes Vladimir’s short 450 attack range by keeping him constantly poisoned in the 850-range Q zone.

2. Veigar

Veigar’s Event Horizon (E) cage stun prevents W evasion if Vladimir is inside or collides with the cage walls. A Veigar who places Event Horizon correctly (around Vladimir’s walking path) and fires Primordial Burst R during the stun delivers true damage substitute (missing HP scaling) that potentially one-shots Vladimir before W can be used. Dark Matter (W) during the stun compounds the burst. Vladimir cannot W to dodge Event Horizon cage wall collision — the cage is a displacement mechanic that ignores untargetable status during collision.

3. Leblanc

LeBlanc’s Distortion (W) dash enables continuous pursuit of Vladimir who cannot consistently W every LeBlanc combo attempt on the 28-second cooldown. Mimic (R) doubles a single ability — a Mimic Sigil of Malice into a full chain proc deals burst on a 40-second cooldown that Vladimir’s W covers only once per fight. LeBlanc’s chain CC (Ethereal Chains E root) + W dash combo fires faster than Vladimir can react to W-dodge, and the root prevents Vladimir from moving during the 1.5-second lock — W cannot be used while rooted.

FAQ

Q: Why does Vladimir use HP items instead of pure AP?

A: Crimson Pact passive gives 3.5% bonus HP as free AP and 160% AP as free bonus HP simultaneously. Every HP item provides both its own HP AND generates AP via Crimson Pact conversion. Every AP item provides its own AP AND generates bonus HP. Vladimir building Rylai’s Crystal Scepter (300 HP + 60 AP) effectively gets 300 HP → 10.5 free AP + 60 AP → 96 bonus HP. A pure mage building Rylai’s only gets the 60 AP primary value — Vladimir gets the 60 AP plus HP-to-AP conversion on the bonus HP. The dual conversion makes HP/AP hybrid items geometrically more efficient on Vladimir than on any other champion.

Q: Does Sanguine Pool dodge everything?

A: W makes Vladimir untargetable — it stops targeted abilities and basic attacks. It does NOT dodge already-in-flight AoE projectiles (Syndra orbs in mid-air), persistent ground AoE (Karthus Q zone, Viktor R ticks), DoT effects already applied before W, or the initial Karthus Requiem (global). AoE abilities with a ground-targeted origin that were cast after W cannot hit Vladimir — for example, Lux’s Finales Funkeln cannot land on Vladimir if he W’d after her E tether attached but before she fired the laser (the laser is ground-targeted after E, so W removes the E tether target). The nuance requires knowing the targeting type of each ability: targeted = avoided by W, AoE/ground-targeted = not avoided if already in flight.

Q: What is the correct ability leveling order?

A: Max Q (Transfusion) first — the combination of cooldown reduction (9s → 4.6s), damage (80→160 + 60% AP), and heal (20→40 + 35% AP) scaling plus empowered Q damage (148→296 + 111% AP) is Vladimir’s primary DPS and sustain tool. Shorter Q cooldown also compresses the Rush surge cycle. Max E (Tides of Blood) second for cooldown (13s → 5s) and damage (30→90 + 1.5% max HP per bolt) scaling. Max W (Sanguine Pool) last — the tick damage (20→75 + 3.75% bonus HP) increases per rank, but the 16-second max rank cooldown vs 28-second base means W’s defensive value is in its untargetable window (constant at 2 seconds regardless of rank), not its damage. R at 6, 11, 16.

Q: When is the best moment to fire empowered Q?

A: Empowered Q’s primary value is the missing HP heal (25% of missing HP at 500 AP). The optimal timing: fire empowered Q when Vladimir is below 60% HP, maximizing the missing HP percentage healed. In trades, the sequence is: take initial hit from enemy, drop to ~70–80% HP, then fire the queued empowered Q — the missing HP heal recovers the taken damage and often leaves Vladimir at higher HP than before the trade. At full HP, skip the surge timing and let Q generate the next Rush cycle instead of consuming it for negligible missing HP heal.

Q: Can Vladimir use abilities during Sanguine Pool?A: No — Vladimir cannot use basic attacks or abilities during Sanguine Pool. He can only move. The one exception is if Tides of Blood was already charging when W was activated — in that case, E can still be recast during the pool duration. This means the W + E overlap combo requires starting E charge before activating W, then recasting E while untargetable mid-pool. If E is not already charging when W activates, it cannot be cast during the 2-second pool window.