01 / Locke
At a glance
Learn Locke abilities and prepare your first games. Find builds for each supported role.
02
Strengths & weaknesses
Tools to play around
- Ritual NailsContributes damage to the champion’s rotation.
- Ashen PursuitOffers a movement tool for positioning.
What can go wrong
- Ritual NailsPractise the hit area and target conditions first. Do not spend the rest of your rotation automatically when the opening damage misses.
- Ashen PursuitDecide where you want to finish the movement before casting. Using mobility to enter a fight can leave fewer options to retreat.
- 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.
PSilver Stake
Locke's attacks deal additional magic damage On-Hit, increased based on enemy missing Health.
Practise the hit area and target conditions first. Do not spend the rest of your rotation automatically when the opening damage misses.
QRitual Nails
Locke readies a set of Soul Nails to throw, dealing damage to and marking enemies hit. Locke can consume the marks to deal bonus damage with his attacks.
Practise the hit area and target conditions first. Do not spend the rest of your rotation automatically when the opening damage misses.
WSoul Ignition
Locke ignites his soul, gaining Attack Speed and Move Speed, and dealing damage to himself. At the end of the duration, Locke will heal back a portion of the damage he takes during the effect.
Practise the hit area and target conditions first. Do not spend the rest of your rotation automatically when the opening damage misses.
EAshen Pursuit
Locke teleports to a location before dashing to attack his next target, dealing damage to enemies passed through.
Decide where you want to finish the movement before casting. Using mobility to enter a fight can leave fewer options to retreat.
RPurgatory
Locke throws a binding artifact that deals damage and potentially executes enemies hit. Locke gains additional power for sealing away enemy champions.
Practise the hit area and target conditions first. Do not spend the rest of your rotation automatically when the opening damage misses.
Locke 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 Ritual Nails
- Q
- W
- AA
With Locke, start with Ritual Nails, then continue through Soul Ignition → Basic attack. Track the marks from Ritual Nails before following with Basic attack. Compare a marked target with an unmarked one in practice.
05
Game plan by role
Locke · Mid
Use the wave to control when trades happen. Keep a defensive option if the opposing jungler is missing, and avoid forcing a combo into a large enemy wave.
Move after checking the wave, vision and who can follow. A useful roam should not cost several uncontested waves for no clear opportunity.
Fight from a position where you can repeat your useful spells. Look for an opening after enemy control is spent instead of entering first by habit.
Before your next fight, check: Ritual Nails · Purgatory · Combos
Locke · 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: Ritual Nails · Purgatory · 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
Locke · Builds & runes
Choose a role, then select your rank on the build page for runes, items, skill order and matchup statistics.