Hecarim

Hecarim is built around speed. His Warpath passive turns a share of his bonus move speed into attack damage, so each speed bonus he picks up or is given raises his damage output. That unusual scaling shapes both his item choices and how he plays in the top lane. He mixes a fighter’s offense (8 out of 10 attack) with durability close to a tank’s, and sits at a moderate 6 out of 10 difficulty.

His ongoing damage comes from Rampage, a cleave that becomes stronger and fires more often while he keeps at least one enemy in its hits. Players who stay locked onto targets are rewarded, while those who keep poking in and out get little from it. Spirit of Dread fits that all-in style: it gives armor and magic resist, hurts nearby enemies, and restores health to Hecarim as a percentage of any damage those enemies take, whether from him or from his allies. Once a fight breaks out around him, he is surprisingly difficult to burst down.

The charge pattern

Devastating Charge is his signature engage. He speeds up over a brief period, moves through units, and his following attack knocks the target back and deals bonus damage that increases with the distance covered. Pair it with Onslaught of Shadows, a line charge accompanied by spectral riders that finishes with a shockwave, sending nearby enemies running in fear, and Hecarim can cross the whole battlefield, pull a carry out of position, and break up the enemy’s response.

He suits players who enjoy momentum: gaining speed, diving in with full commitment, and turning skirmishes into snowballs. The downside is that a Hecarim who charges in with no follow-up has few ways to back out, so timing determines whether he becomes a wrecking ball or simply a sacrifice.