Lethality League of Legends: A complete guide

In League of Legends, understanding the mechanics of different stats is essential for players who want to optimize their gameplay and build strategies effectively. One of the most crucial stats for champions who rely on dealing burst damage is lethality.

Introduced as a replacement for the flat armor penetration stat, lethality has become a key part of the game, especially for assassins and AD (attack damage) champions.

This guide will delve into the concept of lethality in League of Legends, explaining what it is, how it works, and which champions benefit from it the most.

What Is lethality League of Legends?

Lethality is a stat that provides flat armor penetration, which allows champions to deal more physical damage to enemies by reducing the effectiveness of their armor. In contrast to percentage-based armor penetration, which reduces a portion of the target’s armor, lethality reduces a flat amount, making it particularly effective against squishy champions with low armor stats.

The formula for lethality in League of Legends is designed to scale as the champion levels up, ensuring that it remains useful throughout the game. The lethality value is converted into a flat armor penetration, reducing the target’s armor based on both the lethality stat and the level of the target.

Lethality formula

The lethality formula in League of Legends is as follows:

Flat armor penetration = Lethality × (0.6 + 0.4 × Target’s Level ÷ 18)

This formula means that lethality becomes more effective as the target gains levels, offering scaling armor penetration throughout the game.

How lethality works

Lethality is most effective in the early to mid-game when many champions have lower armor values. Assassins and champions who rely on burst damage can take advantage of lethality to quickly eliminate high-priority targets, such as ADC or mages, who typically don’t build much armor.

Lethality is generally a favored stat for champions who rely on basic attacks or abilities that deal physical damage. By building lethality, these champions can bypass a significant portion of the enemy’s defenses, making their damage output more lethal, especially when combined with critical strikes or other damage multipliers.

Champions that benefit from lethality in League of Legends

Several champions in League of Legends thrive when building lethality due to their reliance on burst damage and armor penetration. Below are some of the most popular lethality champions in the game:

1. Zed

Zed is one of the most iconic lethality champions in League of Legends. As an assassin, Zed’s primary goal is to burst down enemy carries, and lethality helps him achieve this by allowing him to ignore a portion of their armor. His abilities, such as Razor Shuriken (Q) and Death Mark (R), scale well with lethality, making Zed a deadly threat to squishy champions throughout the game.

2. Kha’Zix

Kha’Zix is another champion that benefits greatly from lethality. As a jungle assassin, Kha’Zix excels at isolating and eliminating targets with his Taste Their Fear (Q) ability. Lethality items allow him to deal devastating damage to isolated targets, making him one of the most feared champions in the mid to late game.

3. Miss Fortune (Lethality build)

While typically known as an AD carry, Miss Fortune also has a popular lethality build that revolves around maximizing the damage of her Make it Rain (E) and Bullet Time (R) abilities. Lethality items amplify the damage of her abilities, making her ultimate especially powerful in team fights where it can shred through enemy defenses.

4. Jhin

Jhin is another AD carry who can utilize lethality effectively. His passive, Whisper, and abilities like Deadly Flourish (W) and Curtain Call (R) scale well with lethality, allowing him to deal massive burst damage from a distance. Lethality increases the damage of Jhin’s critical strikes, making him a high-threat champion in the mid-game.

5. Talon

Talon, known for his mobility and burst damage, is a lethality-reliant champion who excels in roaming and assassinating enemy carries. His ability to quickly traverse the map and eliminate targets with his Noxian Diplomacy (Q) and Rake (W) is enhanced by lethality items, allowing him to deal significant damage to low-armor targets.

Best lethality items in League of Legends

To fully capitalize on lethality, champions need to build the right items that provide this stat. There are several lethality items in League of Legends, each offering unique bonuses in addition to armor penetration. Below are some of the best lethality items to consider when playing lethality-based champions:

1. Duskblade of Draktharr

Duskblade of Draktharr is a core lethality item for assassins. It provides lethality, attack damage, and a passive effect that deals bonus damage when hitting an enemy who hasn’t been recently spotted.

2. Eclipse

Eclipse is a versatile lethality item that provides both lethality and sustain. It gives attack damage, lethality, and omnivamp, making it an excellent choice for champions who need burst damage along with some survivability. Its passive, Ever Rising Moon, deals bonus damage and grants a shield when hitting an enemy with two separate attacks or abilities in quick succession. This makes Eclipse a strong item for assassins and bruisers alike.

3. Serpent’s Fang

Serpent’s Fang is a lethality item designed to counter shields. It reduces the effectiveness of shields on enemies, making it a great option for lethality champions facing opponents who rely on shield-heavy abilities or support items. This item is a popular choice in games where champions like Karma, Lulu, or Shen are present, as it helps nullify their shield effects.

4. Edge of Night

Edge of Night provides lethality and a spell shield that blocks the next enemy’s ability. This is useful for champions who need to dive into the enemy backline but want protection against crowd control or burst damage. The spell shield makes it easier for assassins to execute their combos without getting interrupted.

5. Youmuu’s Ghostblade

Youmuu’s Ghostblade is a classic lethality item that grants movement speed and lethality. Its active ability provides a burst of movement speed, allowing champions to quickly close the gap on their targets or escape sticky situations. Youmuu’s is a versatile item that benefits both roaming and engaging in fights.

Lethality vs. armor penetration

It’s important to understand the difference between lethality and percentage armor penetration. While lethality reduces a flat amount of the enemy’s armor, percentage armor penetration reduces a percentage of the enemy’s total armor. Lethality is more effective against champions with low armor values, while percentage armor penetration is better suited for dealing with tanky champions who have built up significant armor.

For champions building lethality, it’s essential to target squishy champions who don’t build a lot of armor, such as AD carries or mages. However, when facing teams with a lot of tanks or bruisers, champions may need to consider building percentage armor penetration items like Lord Dominik’s Regards to remain effective.

Mastering lethality League of Legends

Lethality League of Legends is a powerful stat that allows assassins and burst champions to deal devastating damage to low-armor enemies. By building lethality items like Duskblade of Draktharr and Eclipse, champions like Zed, Kha’Zix, and Miss Fortune can quickly eliminate squishy targets and dominate team fights.

Understanding when to build lethality and how it interacts with other stats like armor penetration is key to maximizing your effectiveness on the Rift. Whether you’re playing as an assassin or experimenting with a lethality-focused build, mastering this stat can give you a significant edge in League of Legends. Also, here are some similar articles that you might find useful:

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