Vladimir is an Ability Power Ranged Caster with the quality of turning Ability Power in Health Points and vice versa. Vladimir is a mid-lane dominator due to his unparalleled survivability, counter crowd control, and massive amount health points. His skill set allows him to dodge early ganks fairly easily due to his Sanguine Pool ability, and if too much damage is taken he is able to come back to functioning health with little effort due to his Transfusion. Keep in mind that Vladimir uses his health to cast spells rather than mana, this allows for laning presence but also requires the player to keep watch of his health bar at all times. Vladimir is at his best during midgame play, while his early laning phase leaves much to be desired. In general, try to end the game before the carrys become too powerful during the late game as Vladimir can lose his game control if the player is not careful.
ABILTIES
Vladimir’s passive ability, Crimson Pact, allows the conversion of health to ability power and ability power to health. This allows for a general build of ability usage to build up his health for team fights.
Vladimir’s signature move, Transfusion, allows for health stability and damage output. Monstrous when used correctly, Transfusion allows for Vladimir to shine when zoning out an enemy character and effectively controlling his lane. Due to a long cooldown during the early game, keep in mind that Vladimir will generally be a defensive character until level 4 for aggressive players or level 9 for defensive players. However, late game this cooldown becomes very short and allows for constant damage output in fights.
A versatile spell, Sanguine Pool is a fantastic tool for survivability and escape. If low life and targeted by a spell, cast Sanguine Pool and drop into the ground, this will cause the majority of spells to fizzle and not connect with Vladimir. This can be used aggressively too, due to its slow ability, giving chase to a wounded character can allow you or your team to catch up to and slay an enemy. But be careful, Sanguine Pool costs a percentage of your hit points and should only be used in emergencies or when certain of success.
Tides of Blood, Vladimir’s third ability is consistently misused in play, or rather it is misunderstood and therefore not used correctly. Novice players use this ability as a supplemental damage spell during team fights and don’t use its stacking ability. Pro-Tip: Before any encounter, and especially team fights, stack Tides of Blood as high as you can before the fight begins, this will increase survivability and damage throughout the fight.
His ultimate, Hemoplague is designed to be cast at the start of a fight to magnify damage dealt to the affected targets. An Area of Effect spell, Hemoplague should be cast when the enemy is tightly clumped. Proper use will consistently cause enemies to flee due to the damage increase and allow for individuals to be targeted and slain. To top it off, Hemoplague ends with an explosion of damage to all those who were infected, this allows for multiple kills after the fight is over or characters have retreated.
SUMMONER SPELLS, MASTERIES AND RUNES
Summoner spells are chosen by preference, with flash and ignite coming to mind as the most effective spells. Ignite deals true damage over time to the targeted character, if used in tandem with Hemoplague, the two synergize into vast amounts of damage that ignore armor and magic resist. Flash allows for greater escape ability due to Sanguine Pool being Vladimir’s only defensive skill. Ghost and teleport are also good choices due to the face of Vladimir’s general slow movement speed and will allow for better map control and survivability.
Vladimir is best played as a heavy caster with high damage output. Utility or Offensive masteries are best put to use here, but the choice here corresponds to play style. Offensive masteries are generally less effective for Vladimir as the game advances but allow the greatest early game play. The opposite is true for Utility masteries that promotes a more useful late game but leaves his early game lacking. Cooldowns allow for his ultimate to be used more aggressively without the worry of needing it for the next fight.
Runes are the next category; this is also up to preference. However, whatever runes are chosen need to match the mastery choices for maximum efficacy. Spell Penetration, Health Bonuses, and Ability Power increase when used with Spell Vamp is the most accepted and useful mixture for Vladimir. Keep in mind that runes are best used when they complement the strengths of the player but correct personal weaknesses.
FINAL NOTE
Vladimir generally only has one role in the standard game. He is meant to be a high output damage caster than can survive the fight longer than most other Ability Power casters. He is not meant as a jungle character and should only be dual laned if there is no other alternative. Mid is generally the best place, but Vladimir’s skill set allows him to successfully solo lane against two opponents.
Vladimir’s biggest weakness is his pre-level 9 game. Due to a lack of attack damage, he relies on a long cool down ability that does not reach its amazing potential until maxed out. Play defensive against ranged attack damage players and aggressive against mana dependent and unsustained characters, Vladimir will outlast them.