01 / Darius
At a glance
Learn Darius abilities and prepare your first games. Find builds for each supported role.
02
Strengths & weaknesses
Tools to play around
- DecimateContributes damage to the champion’s rotation.
- Crippling StrikeAdds a utility effect to the champion’s kit.
- Noxian GuillotineOffers a movement tool for positioning.
What can go wrong
- DecimatePractise the hit area and target conditions first. Do not spend the rest of your rotation automatically when the opening damage misses.
- Crippling StrikeRead the effect and its conditions, then practise it alone. Build your sequence around the effect you can reliably reproduce.
- A completed combo is only useful when your position, resources and follow-up are safe.
03
Abilities & tips
Open an ability to read its effect and a practical use tip.
PHemorrhage
Darius' attacks and damaging abilities cause enemies to bleed for physical damage over 5 seconds, stacking up to 5 times. Darius enrages and gains massive Attack Damage when his target reaches max stacks.
Practise the hit area and target conditions first. Do not spend the rest of your rotation automatically when the opening damage misses.
QDecimate
Darius winds up and swings his axe in a wide circle. Enemies struck by the blade take more damage than those struck by the handle. Darius heals based on enemy champions and large monsters hit by the blade.
Practise the hit area and target conditions first. Do not spend the rest of your rotation automatically when the opening damage misses.
WCrippling Strike
Darius's next attack strikes an enemy's crucial artery. As they bleed out, their Move Speed is slowed.
Read the effect and its conditions, then practise it alone. Build your sequence around the effect you can reliably reproduce.
EApprehend
Darius hones his axe, passively causing his physical damage to ignore a percentage of his target's Armor. When activated, Darius sweeps up his enemies with his axe's hook and pulls them to him.
Practise the hit area and target conditions first. Do not spend the rest of your rotation automatically when the opening damage misses.
RNoxian Guillotine
Darius leaps to an enemy champion and strikes a lethal blow, dealing true damage. This damage is increased for each stack of Hemorrhage on the target. If Noxian Guillotine is a killing blow, its cooldown is refreshed for a brief duration.
Decide where you want to finish the movement before casting. Using mobility to enter a fight can leave fewer options to retreat.
Darius combos: execution and timing
AA = basic attack · EAA = empowered attack · 1/2/3 = cast stage. Follow the order, not instant key presses.
Follow up with Decimate
- Q
- AA
- W
With Darius, start with Decimate, then continue through Basic attack → Crippling Strike. Aim the useful part of Decimate’s hitbox, not only its general direction. Practise at different distances to learn where the stronger hit connects.
Follow up with Apprehend
- E
- W
- EAA
- Q
With Darius, start with Apprehend, then continue through Crippling Strike → Empowered attack → Decimate. Aim the useful part of Decimate’s hitbox, not only its general direction. Practise at different distances to learn where the stronger hit connects.
05
Game plan by role
Darius · Top
Keep trades short until you understand the opponent’s main cooldown. Check the minion wave before chasing and preserve a route back to your tower.
Decide between a side-lane push and joining the next objective. Push only as far as your vision and teammate positions allow.
Agree on your job before the fight: pressure a side, threaten a target or protect a carry. Save a key defensive tool when the enemy can turn on you.
Before your next fight, check: Decimate · Noxian Guillotine · Combos
Darius · Jungle
Practise a repeatable clear before adding risky invades. Check nearby lane positions before entering the river or committing to a gank.
Prepare objectives by resetting, checking vision and moving with nearby allies. Avoid starting an objective solely because it has spawned.
Keep Smite and your escape plan in mind around contested objectives. Choose between engaging, covering a carry and keeping access to the objective.
Before your next fight, check: Decimate · Noxian Guillotine · Combos
06
Matchup preparation
Compare opponents in the build for the role you are actually playing. Then check their key control, escape and defensive spells before choosing your trade.
07
Practice checklist
- Cast each ability alone and identify its range, target conditions and stopping point.
- Practise the first sequence slowly. Repeat it while moving, without skipping the conditions shown on its card.
- After each attempt, identify the spell you would still have available to defend or retreat.
08
Darius · Builds & runes
Choose a role, then select your rank on the build page for runes, items, skill order and matchup statistics.