Ekko Review

Welcome, fellow gamers, to the electrifying world of League of Legends, where we dive headfirst into the enigmatic realm of Ekko, the time-twisting champion. Released on May 29, 2015, Ekko is a true force to be reckoned with, classified as an Assassin and primarily played in the Jungle and Middle lanes. In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through Ekko’s lore, his powerful abilities, and the best strategies to dominate your games. And hey, we’ll even dish out some insider tricks and interesting facts about this intriguing champion!

Lore

Ekko, hailing from the gritty streets of Zaun, is no ordinary teenager. This prodigious inventor wields the Z-Drive, a device that lets him manipulate time itself. He’s all about crafting the perfect moment and bending reality to his will. But what sets Ekko apart is his unwavering loyalty to his friends. If they’re in danger, he’ll stop at nothing to protect them. Outsiders might see Ekko as someone who achieves the impossible every time he tries.

Picture him as a slim, brunette young man with those sharp hazelnut brown eyes, and his hair styled in a rooster’s comb. He’s got this unique fashion sense, donning baggy builder’s overalls, a protective scarf, and those ever-so-cool black boots. But it’s his genius mind that truly sets him apart. Even as a baby, he was inventing simple machines, and his determination knows no bounds, going as far as manipulating time to save a friend’s life.

Ekko Abilities

Now, let’s delve into the heart of Ekko’s abilities:

Passive – Z-Drive Resonance: Every third attack or damaging spell on the same target deals bonus magic damage and grants Ekko a burst of speed when it’s a champion.
Q – Timewinder: Ekko tosses a temporal grenade that slows and damages enemies upon impact. After a delay, it rewinds, dealing damage again.
W – Parallel Convergence: This ability empowers Ekko’s basic attacks to deal bonus magic damage to low-health enemies. He can also cast it to create an anomaly that slows and shields him, suspending enemies in time if they enter.
E – Phase Dive: Ekko rolls evasively while charging his Z-Drive, delivering a bonus damage attack that teleports him to his target.
R – Chronobreak: In a daring move, Ekko shatters his timeline, becoming untargetable and rewinding to a more favorable point in time. He returns with a portion of the damage he took in that duration, delivering massive damage to nearby enemies.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Champion

Let’s weigh the pros and cons of choosing Ekko in your games:

Pros:

Scales well into late game
High skill cap for those seeking mastery
Bursty Assassin capable of taking down squishy targets
Good waveclear kicks in after acquiring a few items
Offers safety in lane due to his mobility

Cons:

Vulnerable to crowd control (CC) effects, often leading to his demise
Limited early game damage
Highly reliant on landing W stun for maximum impact
Struggles until obtaining 2-3 core items

Best Items for Ekko

Now, let’s gear up Ekko with the right items for maximum impact on the battlefield. Remember, this is just my personal take:

Lich Bane: This item recently got a boost in patch 12.2, making it a fantastic secondary option. The increased ability haste and AP ratio on the spellblade passive make it an excellent choice for bursting down squishy foes.

Hextech Rocketbelt: This item is a great choice for Ekko, offering increased Magic Penetration, Ability Power, Ability Haste, and Health. What makes it truly shine is its active ability, which synergizes perfectly with Ekko’s hit-and-run playstyle, allowing you to initiate or escape with style.

Zhonya’s Hourglass: If survival is your priority, this item is a must-have. It syncs perfectly with Ekko’s W and R abilities, providing a shield and the ability to go into stasis, giving you a second chance to make game-changing plays. Plus, it’s a lifesaver against teams with heavy AD scaling.

Void Staff: This is your big damage-dealing item. The percentage magic penetration it provides gives Ekko a significant spike in damage, especially when facing tankier opponents. Combine it with Sorcerer’s Shoes and Hextech Rocketbelt for a whopping 40% flat Magic Penetration, allowing you to shred through enemies’ magical resistance.

Best Lanes and Roles for Ekko

Ekko has a lot to offer in different roles, so let’s break it down:

Jungle: Ekko is thriving in the jungle right now, thanks to the recent changes. He boasts efficient clearing times, especially with the Nashor’s Tooth build. He also has numerous opportunities to gank or counter-gank, making him a strong pick. In my opinion, Ekko jungle deserves an A rating, and even an A+ in solo queue.
Mid: On the flip side, Ekko mid has been struggling, especially after the nerfs to mid-lane gold income. His early damage is lacking, and he faces many unfavorable matchups. In my book, it’s a more challenging role to succeed in.

Champion Picks and Counter Picks

Now, let’s discuss some champion picks and counter-picks based on my personal experience:

Ekko Wins Against:

Wukong
Warwick

Ekko Struggles Against:

Ivern
Evelynn

It’s essential to steer clear of Ivern and Evelynn when playing Ekko. They can make your life in the rift miserable!

Price of this Champion in 2023

As of 2023, you can pick up Ekko for 3150 Blue Essence or 790 Riot Points. Keep in mind that these prices may fluctuate, so be sure to check the in-game store for the most up-to-date information.

My Feedback

Now, let me share some personal thoughts on Ekko. He’s undeniably a blast to play. His scalability, burst potential, and skill expression make every game an exciting adventure. Whether you’re just starting or aiming for the highest ranks, Ekko caters to various playstyles.

During the early laning phase, Ekko might not shine the brightest, but if you play smart and capitalize on your opponent’s mistakes, you can secure solo kills and take control of the game. He’s a snowballing champ, especially when you build Mejai’s Soulstealer as your first legendary item.

On Ekko, your mission is clear: obliterate the enemy carries. To achieve this, aim to accumulate gold and experience advantages while stacking on damage items. With the right strategy, you can become a game-changing force.

Best Skins for this Champion

Let’s talk about Ekko’s wardrobe:

Firelight Ekko (1820 RP): The top choice, perfectly fitting Ekko’s theme, and based on the hit series Arcane.
True Damage Ekko (1820 RP): This skin offers a complete package with new voice lines, particles, animations, and interactions. It’s a standout choice.
Sandstorm Ekko (975 RP): A simple yet effective skin with a cool character model and sandy-themed animations, all at a reasonable price.
Pulsefire Ekko (1350 RP): Enhances the base design with sleek animations and a stunning character model, making it a great choice for Ekko fans.
Trick or Treat Ekko (1350 RP): A Halloween-themed skin with character and fun animations, despite being somewhat of a joke skin.
Star Guardian Ekko (1350 RP): While polished, it lacks uniqueness and doesn’t match Ekko’s theme, making it somewhat bland.
PROJECT: Ekko (1350 RP): Though clean and polished, it feels uninspired, especially considering Ekko’s other high-tech skins.
SKT T1 Ekko (1350 RP): Offers a unique take with golden armor but doesn’t stand out as something exceptional.
Academy Ekko (750 RP): Provides only a character model change and is considered underwhelming compared to the base model.

Champion’s Tricks and Interesting Facts

And last but not least, some fascinating tidbits about Ekko:

Ekko’s name is a play on the English word “echo.”
His name features two Ks (KK), representing the rewind symbol ⏪.
It’s rumored that his name might reference John ‘Mikky Ekko’ Stephen Sudduth and his album ‘Time,’ although this remains unconfirmed.

Here’s a slick trick for Ekko players: If you don’t level up his R ability, the after-image remains hidden. This allows you to save your ultimate for the perfect moment, catching your enemies by surprise and forcing them to make mistakes.

Additionally, you can pull off an E-Q-Flash combo, where your Q comes out after the flash, significantly extending its range. This same effect also works with Rocketbelt and stacks with flash, allowing for some epic plays.

One more pro tip: Ekko’s afterimage appears 4 seconds before his ultimate is ready. Keep this in mind, whether you’re playing as Ekko or against him, as it provides valuable information about his cooldowns.

FAQ

Who is Ekko, and what is his background?

Ekko is a champion in League of Legends known for his time-manipulating abilities. He hails from the city of Zaun and is a brilliant inventor with a strong sense of loyalty to his friends.

What are Ekko’s abilities, and how do they work?

Ekko’s abilities include Z-Drive Resonance (passive), Timewinder (Q), Parallel Convergence (W), Phase Dive (E), and Chronobreak (R). Each ability has unique effects, such as dealing damage, slowing enemies, and rewinding time.

What are the pros and cons of playing Ekko?

Pros of playing Ekko include his late-game scaling, burst damage potential, and mobility. However, he is vulnerable to crowd control, has limited early-game damage, and relies on landing his W stun for maximum impact.

What are the recommended items for Ekko in League of Legends?

Some recommended items for Ekko include Lich Bane, Hextech Rocketbelt, Zhonya’s Hourglass, and Void Staff. These items enhance his damage, survivability, and magic penetration.

Which roles and lanes are best suited for Ekko?

Ekko is often played in the Jungle and Middle lanes. He excels in the Jungle role, thanks to recent changes, while Mid lane can be more challenging due to his early-game struggles.