Vladimir vs Aatrox Counter Pick

Crimson Pact gives Vladimir’s build its character: each 30 bonus health converts into ability power, and each ability power point converts into 1.6 bonus health. The cycle works well against most lineups but struggles against Aatrox, since his Deathbringer Stance regularly lands bonus magic damage and heals him in proportion to the target’s maximum health. Over 461 games on patch 16.13.1, Vladimir won 43.4% of the time.

• Aatrox begins with 38 armor and 650 health to Vladimir’s 24 and 600, and by level 18 he reaches 119.6 and 2,588 while Vladimir reaches 100.5 and 2,470.
• Umbral Dash restores his health any time he hits champions, which puts him in direct competition with the sustain Transfusion exists to provide.
• Infernal Chains punishes targets that don’t get out of the impact area fast, narrowing the gap between 450 and 175 range that would otherwise decide the trade.

Vladimir still has two real escape routes. Sanguine Pool grants him two seconds of untargetability and slows enemies standing inside it, a direct counter to World Ender’s all-in pressure. Hemoplague, meanwhile, increases the damage affected enemies take before it goes off. Vladimir deals magic damage, which matters against Aatrox’s 32 magic resist, the higher of the two resistances he has. Aatrox is also quicker, at 345 movement speed against 330. Neither champion spends mana: Aatrox runs on his Blood Well, while Vladimir runs on Crimson Rush. Difficulty ratings are 4 for Vladimir and 7 for Aatrox. Champion kits: Vladimir, Aatrox.