Aphelios: The Weapon of the Faithful

Aphelios is a champion in League of Legends primarily played in the bottom lane position, classified as a Marksman. This Weapon of the Faithful has access to an arsenal of 5 Moonstone Weapons created by his sister Alune. His resource pool uses Mana (348 – 1173.93 at max level) plus Moonlight ammunition (50 per weapon). Aphelios was released on December 11, 2019, and is currently in patch V26.01.

📊 Base Statistics

💡 Weapon Master: Aphelios CANNOT improve abilities via skill points. He starts with Phase and gains Q abilities at level 2 and R at level 6. Moonlight Vigil improves at levels 11 and 16. NO E ABILITY – he has 5 different Q abilities instead!

🌙 Passive: The Hitman and the Seer

INNATE: Aphelios has access to an arsenal of 5 Moonstone Weapons, created by his sister Alune. He equips two weapons at any time – his main weapon and one as his off-hand. Each weapon has a unique basic attack and effect.

Aphelios begins the game with Calibrum as his main weapon and Severum in his off-hand, with Gravitum, Infernum, and Crescendum queued in reserve.

INNATE – MOONLIGHT: Weapons granted to Aphelios have 50 Moonlight for ammunition, which is consumed upon basic attacking and upon casting his Q abilities.

🔫 The 5 Moonstone Weapons

1. Calibrum, the Sniper Rifle

PASSIVE: Aphelios gains 100 bonus attack range while Calibrum is his main weapon. Enemies damaged by Calibrum through an ability are marked for 4.5 seconds, during which they are revealed. Next basic attack against a marked target uses the current off-hand weapon and has 1800 range.

2. Severum, the Scythe Pistol

PASSIVE: Basic attacks with Severum are non-projectile and have an uncancellable windup. Severum’s attacks heal Aphelios for 2% – 7.1% (based on level) of post-mitigation damage dealt, increased to 5% – 17.75% for attacks from abilities.

3. Gravitum, the Gravity Cannon

PASSIVE: Basic attacks with Gravitum slow enemies by 30% for 2.5 seconds, decaying to 10% after 0.7 seconds.

4. Infernum, the Flamethrower

PASSIVE: Basic attacks with Infernum shoot a fire bolt that splits into a cone of 4 lesser bolts behind the target, dealing damage to enemies they pass through. The fire bolt deals 110% AD physical damage to the primary target. Secondary targets are dealt 75% / 100% (based on level) of the triggering attack’s damage.

5. Crescendum, the Chakram

PASSIVE: Basic attacks with Crescendum hurl the blade at the target, which lingers for 0.25 seconds before homing back to Aphelios. He is unable to declare basic attacks until he retrieves Crescendum.

Attacks with Crescendum are empowered to deal 0% – 138.5% (based on number of Chakrams) AD bonus physical damage. The bonus damage from Chakrams is affected by critical strike modifiers.

🎯 Q Abilities: Weapons of the Faithful

1️⃣ Calibrum Q: Moonshot

Cost: 10 Moonlight + 60 Mana  |  Cooldown: 10 – 8 seconds  |  Cast Time: 0.4s  |  Range: 1450

ACTIVE: Aphelios fires a bolt of energy in the target direction that deals magic damage to the first enemy hit: 70 – 160 (based on level) (+ 42% – 60% (based on level) bonus AD) (+ 100% AP) physical damage.

2️⃣ Severum Q: Onslaught

Cost: 10 Moonlight + 60 Mana  |  Cooldown: 10 – 8 seconds  |  Cast Time: NONE  |  Effect Radius: 550

ACTIVE: Aphelios enters an onslaught for 1.75 seconds, gaining 25% (+ 10% per 100 AP) bonus movement speed and automatically performing up to 6 (+ 2 per 100% bonus attack speed) attacks over the duration against the nearest visible enemy. Attacks deal 19% – 40% (based on level) AD physical damage.

3️⃣ Gravitum Q: Binding Eclipse

Cost: 10 Moonlight + 60 Mana  |  Cooldown: 12 – 10 seconds  |  Cast Time: 0.3s  |  Effect Radius: GLOBAL

GRAVITUM – ACTIVE: Aphelios expunges all enemies with Gravitum’s slow debuff, dealing 50 – 140 (based on level) (+ 32% – 50% (based on level) bonus AD) (+ 70% AP) magic damage and rooting them for 1 second.

4️⃣ Infernum Q: Duskwave

Cost: 10 Moonlight + 60 Mana  |  Cooldown: 9 – 6 seconds  |  Cast Time: 0.4s  |  Range: 650

ACTIVE: Aphelios unleashes a wave of energy in a cone in the target direction over the cast time, dealing 20 – 110 (based on level) (+ 10% – 16% (based on level) bonus AD) (+ 70% AP) physical damage to all enemies hit and locking onto each of them. After 0.25 seconds, Aphelios then fires a volley of attacks at each locked-on target from his current off-hand weapon, dealing 100% AD physical damage.

5️⃣ Crescendum Q: Sentry

Cost: 10 Moonlight + 60 Mana  |  Cooldown: 9 – 6 seconds  |  Cast Time: 0.25s  |  Range: 475

ACTIVE: Aphelios deploys a lunar sentry at the target location that arms after 0.35 seconds, lasting for up to 20 seconds, during which it is inactive and untargetable. The sentry grants sight of its surroundings and autonomously attacks the nearest visible enemy in range with a replica of Aphelios’ current off-hand weapon, dealing 35 – 125 (based on level) (+ 30% – 42% (based on level) bonus AD) (+ 50% AP) physical damage per hit.

🔄 W: Phase

Cast Time: NONE  |  Static Cooldown: 0.8s

TOGGLE: Aphelios switches between his main weapon and off-hand weapon over 0.25 seconds.

✨ R: Moonlight Vigil (Ultimate)

Cost: 100 Mana  |  Cooldown: 120 / 110 / 100 seconds  |  Cast Time: 0.4s  |  Range: 1300

ACTIVE: Aphelios casts forth a lunar spotlight in the target direction that briefly grants sight of the area along its path and stops upon illuminating an enemy champion. Alune smites the area centered on the illuminated target, dealing 125 / 175 / 225 (based on level) (+ 20% bonus AD) (+ 100% AP) physical damage to enemy champions struck and locking-on to each target hit, as well as granting sight of the area for 2 seconds.

After 0.3 seconds of the illumination, attacks based on Aphelios’ current main weapon will launch from the sky against each locked-on target, dealing 100% AD physical damage and applying on-hit effects.

R – Weapon-Specific Effects:

• CALIBRUM: Applies an empowered mark that deals 50 / 80 / 110 (based on level) bonus physical damage per mark consumed.
• SEVERUM: Heals Aphelios for 250 / 350 / 450 (based on level) if at least one enemy champion is hit.
• GRAVITUM: Increases the initial slow to 99% and empowers Binding Eclipse to root targets affected by the enhanced slow for 1.35 seconds.
• INFERNUM: The initial blast deals 50 / 100 / 150 (based on level) (+ 25% bonus AD) bonus physical damage. The attack instead deals 110% AD physical damage against locked-on targets, and causes an explosion of bolts in a 400-radius circle that deals 74.25% / 99% (based on level) AD physical damage to targets hit.
• CRESCENDUM: Generates 5 additional spectral Chakrams that return to Aphelios from the first enemy champion hit, for a total of 6, on top of those from other targets hit.

🎯 Strategies and Gameplay Tips

Early Game (Levels 1-6)

• Weapon Queue Management: Start with Calibrum main weapon. Use its +100 range to poke safely. Burn through unwanted weapons with Q abilities.
• Moonlight Conservation: Each weapon has 50 Moonlight. Don’t spam Q abilities early – you’ll run out of ammo on your best weapon!
• Severum Sustain: Use Severum Q in extended trades for healing. The 1.75s onslaught provides massive sustain in lane.

Mid Game (Levels 7-13)

• Infernum + Crescendum Combo: THE best teamfight combo. Infernum R for AoE → generates Chakrams → swap to Crescendum for DPS!
• Gravitum Peel: Use Gravitum to slow divers, then Q for global root. This saves your life in teamfights.
• Ultimate Timing: Use R based on main weapon. Calibrum R for poke, Infernum R for teamfights, Severum R for sustain fights.

Late Game (Level 14+)

• Weapon Setup: Plan your weapon queue 2-3 weapons ahead. Know which combo you need BEFORE teamfight starts.
• Crescendum Stacking: Stack Chakrams before teamfights. Use Calibrum or Infernum to generate them, then demolish with Crescendum autos.

❌ Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Random Weapon Swapping: Don’t spam W. Each swap costs you positioning time. Plan your swaps strategically.
• Wasting Moonlight: Each weapon has 50 Moonlight. Spamming Q burns through ammo fast. Conserve for key moments!
• Wrong Ultimate Weapon: Don’t R with wrong weapon! Check main weapon before pressing R. Severum R in teamfight is wasted!
• Not Planning Ahead: You MUST plan weapon queue. Aphelios requires 2-3 weapons ahead planning. Practice in customs!

⚙️ Recommended Build and Itemization

Core Items

• Kraken Slayer / Galeforce: Kraken for tank-shredding DPS; Galeforce for mobility and burst.
• Runaan’s Hurricane: ESSENTIAL for Aphelios. Synergizes with all 5 weapons. Creates multiple Crescendum Chakrams!
• Infinity Edge: Huge crit damage boost. Chakram bonus damage crits for massive DPS.

Situational Items

• Guardian Angel: Essential against assassins. Aphelios has no mobility – GA gives second life.
• Bloodthirster: Pairs with Severum healing for massive sustain. Good into poke comps.
• Lord Dominik’s Regards: Against tank-heavy teams for armor penetration.

⚔️ Counter Picks & Matchups

✅ Aphelios Counters (Champions Aphelios is Strong Against)

1. Jinx

Why: Calibrum outranges Jinx (650 vs 525-700). Gravitum stops her passive resets. Aphelios’ weapon versatility counters her one-dimensional kit. Infernum matches her teamfight AoE.

2. Kai’Sa

Why: Gravitum slow + root completely shuts down her dashes. Infernum AoE prevents her stealth advantage. Severum sustain outlasts her burst. Multiple weapon options counter her mobility.

3. Twitch

Why: Calibrum marks reveal stealthed Twitch. Gravitum roots prevent his repositioning. Severum healing counters his poison DPS. Infernum R matches his teamfight AoE potential.

❌ Aphelios is Countered By (Champions Strong Against Aphelios)

1. Draven

Why: Draven’s early game damage is too high. He kills you before you master weapon rotations. No mobility to dodge axes. Aphelios needs scaling time – Draven doesn’t give you time to learn 5 weapons.

2. Yasuo

Why: Wind Wall blocks ALL your abilities and basic attacks from all 5 weapons. Your weapon queue is worthless if he blocks everything. His mobility dodges Gravitum slow. He dives you with no counterplay.

3. Zed

Why: No mobility to dodge Death Mark. Aphelios is immobile and squishy. Zed can target you before you perfect weapon swaps. Gravitum root doesn’t help – he’s already on you with ult.

FAQ

Q: Which weapon combo is best for teamfights?

A: Infernum + Crescendum is THE teamfight combo. Infernum R for AoE damage → generates Chakrams → swap to Crescendum for stacking DPS!

Q: How do I manage weapon queue?

A: Each weapon has 50 Moonlight ammo. When depleted, Alune sends next weapon. Plan 2-3 weapons ahead. Use Q to burn unwanted weapons faster. Practice in customs!

Q: Why doesn’t Aphelios have E ability?

A: Aphelios has 5 different Q abilities (one per weapon) instead of E ability. This makes him unique. He also cannot improve abilities via skill points.

Q: Is Aphelios too hard for beginners?

A: YES. Aphelios is the HARDEST ADC. Start with Infernum + Crescendum in practice tool. Don’t play ranked until you understand weapon rotation. Takes 50+ games to master!