Graves is a gunslinger who is known in his circles as a true outlaw. This mercenary does not disdain anything - he steals, gambles, participates in battles and will never back down from breaking the law in his underworld. In the article we will talk about how Graves should be developed, what strengths and weaknesses he is endowed with, and how to fight for him.
You may be interested: Tier list of characters in League of Legends
Hero Skills
The champion deals physical damage, but one of his skills contains magical damage. Depends more on his basic strikes. The character is well developed in attack, support, defense and mobility. It lags behind only in terms of control indicators. Let's analyze each of his abilities separately, and then make the best combinations.
Passive Skill - New Destiny
Graves' basic attack fires 4 bullets that stop when they hit the first target. The first bullet deals 0,7 to 1 total physical damage, and subsequent bullets deal a third of that damage per bullet. Buildings take 25% less damage from Graves' basic attacks.
Graves stores two shotgun charges at any time and spends them on basic attacks. After using them, he is on cooldown, which significantly delays his next basic attack. Graves' cooldown is reduced slightly by attack speed, but the time between attacks is greatly reduced by attack speed.
On a critical hit, Graves fires 6 bullets with a 25% wider shot and deals 20% more physical damage (60% with the Infinity Edge item).
First skill - Finita A comedy
Graves fires a gunpowder projectile, dealing physical damage. After 1 second or after hitting the ground, it explodes, dealing 85 to 225 points of physical damage along the path and to enemies located near the explosion.
Second skill - Smoke Screen
The character creates a cloud of black smoke for 4 seconds, slowing down enemies inside by 50% and blocking their vision from outside. The initial blow deals magical damage.
Third skill - Ready
The hero rushes in the right direction and reloads one cartridge into the shotgun. He also gains a charge for 4 seconds (maximum of 8 charges) or two charges if he dashes towards an enemy champion. Stacks give him 4–16 armor. They are updated when damage is dealt to non-minions.
Each bullet that hits an enemy as a result of Graves' attack reduces the cooldown of the ability by 0,5 seconds.
Ultimate - Collateral Damage
Graves fires an explosive round, knocking himself back. The cartridge deals physical damage to the first enemy hit. After hitting an enemy champion or reaching the limit of its range, the cartridge explodes outward, dealing additional damage. damage.
Sequence of leveling skills
The first skill is very important for Graves, which helps clear lanes faster and keep the enemy at a distance. Then, by the middle stage of the game, the third skill is pumped up to the end, and by the end - the second. Ultimate has priority over other abilities and increases upon reaching levels 6, 11 and 16.
Basic Ability Combinations
Graves has a lot of options when starting a fight. They all depend on his position on the map, enemies and the main goal. Use the following combinations to expand the hero's combat potential and fight without harming yourself.
- Second skill -> Blink -> Basic attack -> First skill -> Third skill -> Basic attack -> Ultimate -> Basic attack. Ideal for attacking from an ambush or from a long distance. Start the animation of the second skill and immediately use the dash so that after moving, Graves will envelop the opponent in thick fog. Then use a combination of enhanced basic attacks and skills, step back and finish off the target with an ultimate and a fatal shotgun blow.
- Second skill -> First skill -> Ultimate -> Blink -> Basic attack -> Third skill -> Basic attack -> Basic attack. This combination is even more difficult than the previous one. It also helps to shorten the distance if, after the first attacks, the enemy receives a lot of damage and tries to leave the battlefield. With a jump and a jerk you will not let him do this. Be sure to use enhanced basic attacks at the end.
Pros and cons of the hero
What can you expect in playing as Graves? There are many both positive and negative qualities. Consider its capabilities and know its weak points.
Pros of playing as Graves:
- Strong in the late game.
- Farms quickly, kills minions and monsters easily.
- There is a control skill.
- Good mobility and survivability.
- There is a quick escape for emergency situations.
- Deals a lot of damage.
- Excellent counter to the enemy jungler when he takes the lead in farming.
- Can take on the role of a warrior or assassin.
- Skills push monsters back, which helps you not lose HP while farming.
Disadvantages of playing as Graves:
- There is no strict control.
- Easily countered by ranged characters.
- Basic attacks can be blocked by minions or towers.
- If you farm a little, then problems with your combat potential may arise.
- You need to keep an eye on the stacks of the third skill, otherwise they will disappear.
- Another auto attack mechanic that is harder to master.
- A complex character, it will be difficult for a beginner to play as him.
Suitable runes
Rune assembly Precision and Domination is aimed at improving the champion's attacks, inflicting high long-term damage, as well as expanding his abilities in the forest.
Primal Rune - Accuracy:
- Skillful maneuvering - If you move or use an auto attack, you will receive charges up to 100 units. A full supply increases further basic attack. It restores health and also gives 20% speed for one second.
- Triumph - for supporting or independently killing an opponent, your HP points are restored and you are also given 20 additional coins.
- Legend: Zeal - gain 3% attack speed plus an additional 1,5% per stack of Legend (max 10 stacks). Get stacks for every 100 points earned: champion takedowns, destroying epic monsters, killing large monsters and minions.
- Strike of mercy - When dealing damage to a champion whose health level is below 40% of the maximum health, the final damage is increased by an additional 8%.
Secondary Rune - Domination:
- Zombie totem - When an enemy totem is killed, a friendly Zombie Ward is summoned in its place. If there is already an allied totem in the bush where you killed an enemy totem, you instead receive a zombie totem in the slot that can be placed anywhere for the next 30 seconds. The character's strength also grows with them.
- Treasure hunter - Earn 50 coins for each individual kill (+20 per Bounty Hunter charge), up to a maximum of 450 coins per 5 kill. Gain a Bounty Hunter charge whenever you kill an enemy champion. One charge for each team member, 5 in total.
- +10 attack speed.
- +9 to adaptive damage.
- +6 Armor.
Required Spells
Jump - teleports your champion to your cursor location. A handy spell that can be used defensively or offensively. Can also be used in complex combos to increase attack efficiency and range.- Kara - This summoner spell is used by the team's jungler. Deals pure damage to monsters and minions and heals the user for a small amount of HP. This spell helps junglers a lot in killing barons and dragons in the game.
- Ghost - your champion gains 24 to 48% movement speed and can move through units for 10 seconds. The Wraith extends its lifespan by 4–7 (levels 1–18) seconds when killed.
Best Build
Graves can occupy three positions - jungle, top lane or mid. He shows himself best as a warrior or assassin, much worse as a mid player. The assembly below is suitable for playing on lanes and in the jungle, if you replace some items in it.
Starting Items
First, he will need to acquire a companion who will farm with him in the forest and increase Graves’ characteristics. Also don't forget about the map overview, this is a very important part for the forester if you don't want to be caught off guard.
- Firewolf baby.
- Health Potion.
- Hidden totem.
When playing in lane, use the item “ instead of Firewolf CubDoran's Dagger" There is also no need for enhanced control totems.
Early items
Next, the attack power and mobility of the hero increases, serious totems are purchased for good visibility in the forest.
- Serrated dagger.
- Control Totem.
- Boots.
Main subjects
Then we increase lethality, speed up skills, movement, and give it armor. All legendary items will grant him additional armor penetration for playing against tough heroes and movement speed to cross the map faster.
- Shadow Glaive.
- Armored boots.
- Eclipse.
Complete assembly
At the end of the match, Graves also needs attack power, lethality, armor penetration, skill acceleration and defense. Don't forget about the critical strike rating as well.
- Shadow Glaive.
- Armored boots.
- Eclipse.
- Debt collector.
- Serilda's wickedness.
- Guardian angel.
The item significantly buffs Graves' attacks "Infinity Edge", however, it is rarely used in assemblies based on the need for other stats. In the late game, the item will not protect you from your opponents; you will be a more subtle and accessible champion for them.
Worst and best enemies
It can be used as a powerful counterpick for Silas, Amumu or Shako. He easily deals with them thanks to his abilities and rapid growth, which is proven by his high win rate. Who to watch out for:
- Fiddlesticks – a strong magician with colossal control. It will greatly hinder your game if there is no allied mage or tank with control on the line. It is better to wait until he spends his skills on others or someone else takes him into the camp, and then start an attack. Walking around from behind while all his abilities are fully charged is very dangerous.
- Zak – if he is on the front line, then it will be very difficult for you to cope with him. It's best to sidestep and let your tank move forward before rushing into battle. Learn to dodge his attacks and think one step ahead of your opponent.
- Nunu and Willump – a good jungler who deals a lot of damage and has control abilities. In a one-on-one battle, he will easily encamp you and quickly destroy you. Therefore, beware of his appearance in your forest and try your best not to die, you can retreat and give him a little advantage at the beginning of the match. Ask your tank or support to help you defend your monsters.
Graves has the best synergy with Singedoccupying the top line. The hero inflicts stun, slow, and terrible wounds. Paired with him, you can easily defeat even the toughest enemies. Graves will also perform well in a team with Cassiopeia и Law.
How to play as Graves
Beginning of the game. Starting with the blue buff, do a complete clearing of the forest. You can invade enemy territory immediately after the blue buff, using the third skill above the wall of the dragon or baron pit. This way you avoid most totems and can deprive the enemy of farming. Make sure you have the strength to do it, don't do it blindly. If not, then the full forest clearing path is safer and more reliable.
In the initial stages, try to gank those laners who have good control. Try to gank when you have the red buff, it gives extra damage.
If your laner doesn't have control, try to come up behind the enemy and start an auto attack, you can use your second skill on top of the enemy. Wait until the enemy uses their built-in escape or Blink before using the third skill to always be within range of a basic attack. Remember that you can always finish off your opponent with an ult after he has spent his dashes.
Average game. Graves excels at farming and fighting as he collects his first items. If you are behind, you can simply farm more and develop quickly. When he's ahead, Graves can counterattack the enemy in the jungle and maybe even single-handedly kill an enemy jungler in their territory.
Team fights as Graves are pretty straightforward. Playing as him, fight face to face. Destroy tanks and stay ahead of the curve. Don't go too far, otherwise you will be alone among 5 enemies. Deal consistent damage to win the fight.
late game. You need to farm as much as possible. Don't be afraid to fight in team fights. At this stage of the game you should be fattened to the limit. You become nearly unkillable and insanely deadly with powerful healing.
Watch out for the third skill. Don't reset your stacks because at the end of the game without them you will lose a lot of armor in battle.
You need to keep an eye on the map and be wary of potential enemy ganks. Ultimately, you need to ensure good visibility of important targets such as the baron and the dragon. You can also let the enemy start hitting epic monsters and then suddenly attack them. With this tactic they will take damage from both sides and will be trapped in a small area.
Graves is a good jungler, but requires a lot of farming and training. Once you fully master its mechanics, you can become a great assassin or warrior. Don't be discouraged if you don't succeed the first time, and practice more. You can ask additional questions in the comments, we will help you. Good luck!
