Olaf Review
Olaf, the axe-wielding behemoth, emerged on the League of Legends scene back on June 9, 2010. He belongs to the Diver class and thrives in the Jungle and Top positions. If you’re eyeing this champ in 2023, there’s more to Olaf than meets the eye. I’m diving into this review because, well, Olaf is pretty darn cool. His aggressive playstyle, unmatched 1v1 capabilities, and remarkable 1v2, and sometimes even 1v3 prowess have won my heart. So, why not delve into the world of Olaf, explore his lore, dissect his abilities, and learn the ropes of dominating the Rift with this Norse powerhouse?
In this guide, I’m sharing everything you need to know about Olaf, from his backstory to his gameplay nuances and beyond. Whether you’re a seasoned LoL player or just getting started, we’ll uncover what makes Olaf tick and how you can wield his strength to conquer the Summoner’s Rift. So, strap in and get ready to unleash the Viking fury!
Lore
Olaf, an unstoppable force of destruction, hails from the brutal Freljordian peninsula of Lokfar. He once received a prophecy foretelling a peaceful passing, a coward’s fate, which he considered a great insult. Seeking death, fueled by rage, he rampaged across the land, slaughtering great warriors and legendary beasts in search of a worthy opponent. Now, he’s a brutal enforcer for the Winters Claw in the great wars to come.
Irritable and easily angered, Olaf lives for the heat and rage of battle, and he’ll stop at nothing to find a warrior’s death fitting for a fierce warrior like himself.
Champion Abilities
Passive – Berserker Rage: Olaf gains Attack Speed and Life Steal based on his missing Health.
Q – Undertow: Olaf throws an axe into the ground, dealing damage to enemies and reducing their Armor and Move Speed. If Olaf picks up the axe, the ability’s cooldown resets.
W – Tough It Out: Olaf’s Attack Speed increases, he reduces incoming damage, and gains a Shield.
E – Reckless Swing: Olaf deals true damage to his target and himself, refunding the Health cost if he destroys the target.
R – Ragnarok: Olaf gains increased armor and magic resist passively. When activated, he becomes immune to disables as long as he keeps attacking.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Olaf
Pros:
- Tanky and teamfight helpful.
- Decent poke.
- Amazing damage and sustain.
- Strong early game.
- Easy objective killer (Split push, solo Drake or Baron).
Cons:
- Low CC.
- Weak in trades.
- Struggles against multiple enemies.
- No gap closer, other than R.
- Not very strong without W and R.
Best Items for Olaf
Corrupting Potion: This item regenerates your mana and HP when activated (up to 3 times before recalling). It’s vital during the laning phase, helping you poke your enemies while maintaining your HP. Try to activate it while Tough It Out is on for increased healing and more mana.
Doran’s Shield: Provides 80 health points, making it solid. However, it encourages a less aggressive playstyle due to quick mana depletion. Use this if you want to play a bit safer and avoid getting pushed under your tower.
Doran’s Blade: If you’re looking for an aggressive playstyle, this item is ideal. It provides extra damage, enhancing Undertow pokes and trading damage with Reckless Swing. Additionally, you get 3 life steal and 80 HP, enabling longer trades and better all-in potential.
Stopwatch: It’s useful against certain champions like Veigar, Pyke, Tryndamere, Zed, and Fizz. Consider taking it from runes to avoid spending 600 gold. This item can save you from their ultimates or help you wait until their abilities expire.
Best Lanes and Roles for Olaf
Olaf top is a dominant choice, where he can unleash his fury on anyone who crosses his path. He also performs well in the jungle.
Champion Picks and Counter Picks
Olaf shines in the top lane against champions like K’Sante and K’Sante. However, he struggles against Tryndamere and Kled, making these matchups something you’d want to avoid.
Price of Olaf in 2023
Olaf’s price in the store is 3150 Blue Essence or 790 Riot Points.
My Feedback
Olaf can be a blast to play if you enjoy a straightforward, aggressive style. He excels against classic Juggernauts like Garen, Mundo, Sion, and Quinn, as they can’t remove him quickly, allowing you to utilize your passive effectively. Despite some weaknesses, Olaf’s kit offers an exciting and engaging gameplay experience that’s worth a try.
Best Guide for Olaf in 2023
If you’re looking for an in-depth guide on playing Olaf in 2023, I recommend checking out this comprehensive guide on Mobafire:Olaf Guide.
Best Skins for Olaf
When it comes to Olaf’s skins, here’s a rundown:
- Forsaken Olaf: A forgettable skin with minimal changes to the character model and an overpriced decent splash art.
- Glacial Olaf: Makes Olaf look like a White Walker but lacks impact and memorable features.
- Pentakill III: Lost Chapter Olaf: Nails the animations but doesn’t quite capture the heavy metal drummer theme, feeling more like a random Satanist.
- Marauder Olaf: Offers a badass armor look with no new animations or particles, making it a wise purchase.
- Butcher Olaf: Balances goofiness and badass energy, making it worth getting for the concept alone.
- Pentakill Olaf: Boasts an extremely badass character model with drumstick-like weapons, only lacking heavy metal sound effects.
- Brolaf: Takes a creative frat boy approach but has some animations that don’t make sense for its price.
- Dragonslayer Olaf: Offers an amazing character model and well-made animations but misses a chance to enhance the ult animation.
- SKT T1 Olaf: Surprisingly high-quality Worlds skin with a top-tier character model and excellent animations.
- Sentinel Olaf: Exudes supreme Chad energy with impeccable character model design and a Viking helmet ult, fitting the Sentinel theme well.
Champion’s Tricks and Interesting Facts
- Ragnarok is named after the events from Norse mythology.
- During development, Olaf was simply called Enrage Barbarian.
- Olaf’s name derives from Old West Norse ᚬᛚᛅᚠᛦ Óláfʀ.
- In team fights, focus on the frontline to keep your teammates alive, but if you’re fed, don’t hesitate to dive the enemy backline.
Unleash Olaf’s Viking fury, and you’ll find yourself enjoying the thrill of battle in League of Legends. Whether you’re new to the champion or a seasoned warrior, there’s always room to hone your skills and dominate the Rift.
FAQ
Who is Olaf in League of Legends, and why should I play him?
Olaf is a champion known for his unstoppable and aggressive playstyle. He excels in 1v1 situations and is a strong pick in the jungle and top lane.
What are Olaf’s abilities and strengths?
Olaf has a passive ability, Berserker Rage, and skills like Undertow, Tough It Out, Reckless Swing, and Ragnarok. He’s known for his tankiness, decent poke, strong early game, and the ability to solo objectives.
What are the best items for Olaf in the game?
Recommended items for Olaf include Corrupting Potion for laning, Doran’s Blade for an aggressive playstyle, and Stopwatch for countering certain champions with strong ultimates.
Where does Olaf excel and which champions should I avoid when playing him?
Olaf performs well in the top lane and jungle. He excels against some champions like Garen and Mundo but struggles against champions like Tryndamere and Kled.
Which skins for Olaf are worth getting in 2023?
Some noteworthy Olaf skins include Marauder Olaf, Butcher Olaf, Sentinel Olaf, and SKT T1 Olaf. Each skin offers unique character models and animations to enhance your gaming experience.