Darius Review

Hey there, fellow summoners! If you’re diving into the fast-paced world of League of Legends, you’ve probably crossed paths with Darius. This hulking fighter, released on May 23, 2012, is an iconic and formidable champion. In this guide, we’ll delve into Darius’ lore, his champion abilities, the pros and cons of playing him, the best items to stack on this powerhouse, the optimal lanes and roles for dominating the Rift, champion picks and counter-picks, the price of this champion in 2023, and even a bit of personal feedback. Plus, we’ll toss in some interesting facts and tricks that might just give you the edge in your games. So, buckle up, because we’re about to take you on a whirlwind tour of the Dunkmaster himself – Darius!

Lore

Darius, the Hand of Noxus, embodies the sheer might of the Noxian empire. His rise from humble beginnings to become the leader of the Trifarian Legion is nothing short of legendary. Born in Basilich, Darius faced hardship and danger from a young age, growing up alongside his brother, Draven. They were inseparable, with Darius fiercely protecting his younger sibling. Despite the scars and struggles, Darius found a glimmer of hope in a friendship with Quilletta Varn, igniting dreams of conquering the world together. But what sets Darius apart is his unwavering dedication to Noxus, a cause he believes in with every fiber of his being. When Darius raises his axe, you can bet that there’s no room for doubt or mercy – a true symbol of Noxian power.

Darius Abilities

Now, let’s break down Darius’ abilities, which are the key to his brutal efficiency on the battlefield:

Passive – Hemorrhage: Darius’ attacks and abilities make his enemies bleed over time, stacking up to five times. When the stacks max out, Darius goes into a berserk mode, gaining a significant Attack Damage boost.
Q – Decimate: Darius swings his axe in a wide arc, dealing more damage with the blade’s edge. This ability also allows Darius to heal based on the number of enemy champions and large monsters struck by the blade.
W – Crippling Strike: Darius targets an enemy’s vital artery with his next attack, slowing their movement speed as they bleed out.
E – Apprehend: Passively, Darius’ physical damage ignores a portion of the target’s armor. When activated, he hooks his enemies with his axe and pulls them closer.
R – Noxian Guillotine: Darius leaps at an enemy champion, delivering a fatal blow that deals true damage. The more Hemorrhage stacks on the target, the deadlier this execution becomes. Plus, if Noxian Guillotine scores a killing blow, it refreshes its cooldown briefly.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Champion

Let’s be honest, Darius is a force to be reckoned with on the Rift. Here’s what makes him shine and where he might falter:

Pros:

Darius boasts a formidable early game presence, often dominating his lane.
He’s a lane bully, making life miserable for opponents in the early stages.
In the mid-game, Darius transitions into a big team fight threat.
He’s quite capable of taking on 2v1 situations in lane.
Darius can build tanky while still dealing significant damage.
His build paths are flexible, adapting to different game scenarios.
With the right player, Darius can carry a team to victory.

Cons:

Darius tends to have predictable trading patterns, making it easier for opponents to react.
He lacks mobility, making him susceptible to kiting.
Vulnerable to ganks, Darius relies heavily on summoner spells to escape sticky situations.
While he shines in the early and mid-game, Darius falls off in the late game.

Best Items for Darius

Now, let’s gear up Darius for success. The right items can turn him into an unstoppable force:

Stridebreaker: This is a situational pick for Darius, especially when facing off against ranged champions. However, in most cases, Trinity Force is the superior choice. With Ghost as our go-to summoner spell, Stridebreaker’s active ability isn’t as valuable. Trinity Force provides extra damage, attack speed, and a Phage-like movement speed boost. It’s pretty much everything Darius could wish for in an item, except in those specific ranged matchups.

Hullbreaker: In the current meta, Hullbreaker shines. You can grab it second on Darius if you’re looking to dominate the side lanes and split push aggressively. It’s a cost-effective choice right now.

Dead Man’s Plate: Arguably the best of the armor items, Dead Man’s Plate offers Darius movement speed, which is incredibly useful. This item is a solid pick for all scenarios.

Randuin’s Omen: If your opponents have a fed AD or crit-heavy champion like Tristana, Yasuo, or Xayah, consider Randuin’s Omen as your first armor purchase. It’s also a wise choice if multiple enemy champions are building crit. Otherwise, stick to Dead Man’s Plate.

Gargoyle Stoneplate: This item is intriguing but should only be considered if your team lacks a front line or primary engage. It may require Darius to soak up damage, which isn’t his ideal role. In such cases, consider getting Gargoyle Stoneplate as your first or second item. Otherwise, my personal opinion is that Dead Man’s Plate and Randuin’s Omen offer more practical armor options.

Best Lanes and Roles for Darius

Darius is a melee fighter, and he thrives in the top lane, especially during prolonged battles. His standout feature is his ultimate ability, which can deal massive true damage when used strategically, potentially wiping out an entire enemy team. While his primary role is in the top lane, you can also find success playing him mid against AD assassins and other bruisers like Irelia and Yasuo. Keep in mind, though, that he doesn’t bring the same map pressure as traditional mid laners.

Champion Picks and Counter Picks

When it comes to matchups, Darius can be a beast in the top lane, especially against champions like Yasuo and Briar. However, be cautious when facing Vayne and Dr. Mundo; they can turn into your worst nightmares. It’s best to avoid these matchups if possible, as they can give Darius a hard time.

Price of this Champion in 2023

In 2023, you can get your hands on Darius for 450 BE or 260 Riot Points.

My Feedback

Now, let’s talk about my personal experience with Darius. His abilities bring a satisfying blend of brutality and strategy to the game. From constantly making your enemies bleed to harassing them, pulling them in, and slowing them down, Darius has a versatile kit that offers a lot of fun and strategic depth.

I do wish he had a bit more mobility, as he can feel a tad slow. However, that sluggishness can work in your favor when slowing down the enemy and gaining a movement speed bonus with your Tender.

One highlight of my Darius journey has to be the Dunkmaster skin. It’s an absolute blast and arguably one of the best skins for Darius. It perfectly captures the fun and iconic essence of the champion. The community seems to resonate with the skin’s humor and thematic elements, making it a must-have for any Darius fan.

Best Skins for Darius

Speaking of skins, here’s a quick rundown of some other options:

God-King Darius (June 27th, 2018, 1820 RP): Offers fantastic in-game visuals and impressive sound cues.
High Noon Darius (October 10th, 2019, 1350 RP): Embraces a western outlaw vibe with unique bullet-themed effects.
Crime City Nightmare Darius (August 26th, 2021, 1350 RP): Features impactful animations and a cool voice filter, though it’s slightly overshadowed by legendary skins.
Woad King Darius (June 16th, 2013, 975 RP): Simplicity meets effectiveness, giving Darius a rugged northern look.
Lord Darius (May 22nd, 2012, 975 RP): Offers a royal and ornate appearance, though it lacks theme variety and unique animations.
Bioforge Darius (November 13th, 2012, 975 RP): Reminiscent of Urgot visually, but still has some clean animations.
Dreadnova Darius (April 12th, 2017, 10 gemstones): Unfortunately, it falls short in-game with a janky character model and odd bleed animations.
Lunar Beast Darius (February 4th, 2021, 1350 RP): Mixed reviews, featuring a beautiful axe design but a mediocre in-game character design.

Champion’s Tricks and Interesting Facts

Lastly, here are a few fascinating tidbits about Darius:

Darius stands tall at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 meters) and weighs 266 lbs (121 kilograms).
He was the first champion to have an autonomous Recall animation.
Darius and his brother Draven were the first related champions to be released back-to-back.
Darius was the first champion to receive Chroma packs for two of his skins: Classic and Dunkmaster.
Tahm Kench suggests that Darius’ strength is ‘waning,’ possibly indicating advanced age or premature aging due to years of combat stress.
To maximize Darius’ kit, use auto-attacks before activating Crippling Strike (W), as it’s an auto-attack reset.
Darius’ biggest weakness is getting kited easily. In team fights, try to approach from the sides to reduce the risk of being poked or kited.
Aim for longer trades rather than short ones, as Darius excels in extended battles, thanks to his Hemorrhage passive.

And that’s a wrap, summoners! Whether you’re dunking opponents with the Dunkmaster skin or exploring the lore of Noxus with Darius, may your games be filled with epic victories and satisfying executions. Darius is a true Noxian icon, and in the right hands, he can turn the tide of battle like no other. So get out there, raise your axe high, and let the Decimate begin!

FAQ

Who is Darius in League of Legends?

Darius, known as the Hand of Noxus, is a formidable champion in League of Legends. He’s a symbol of Noxian power and was released on May 23, 2012.

What are Darius’ key abilities?

Darius has five abilities: Passive – Hemorrhage, Q – Decimate, W – Crippling Strike, E – Apprehend, and R – Noxian Guillotine. His passive makes enemies bleed, and his ultimate, Noxian Guillotine, deals massive true damage.

What are the pros and cons of playing Darius?

Pros include strong early game, lane bullying, and team fight presence. Cons include predictability, lack of mobility, and falling off in the late game.

What are the best items for Darius?

Some recommended items for Darius include Stridebreaker or Trinity Force, Hullbreaker for split-pushing, Dead Man’s Plate, Randuin’s Omen for armor, and Gargoyle Stoneplate situationally.

What are some interesting facts and skins for Darius?

Darius has various skins, including Dunkmaster, God-King, and High Noon. He’s 6’5″ tall and weighs 266 lbs. His biggest weakness is getting kited, so approaching from the sides in team fights can be effective.