Kog’Maw Review

Hey, gamers! Today, we’re diving into the world of League of Legends to explore the fascinating champion, Kog’Maw. This quirky creature from the Void has been making waves since his release back in 2010, and he’s got some unique tricks up his slimy sleeves. In this article, we’ll cover everything from his lore and abilities to the best items, lanes, and even his skins. So, why am I itching to review this champion? Well, Kog’Maw is just plain cool. His hybrid damage and scaling make him a menace against both tanky foes and squishy opponents. Let’s roll into the void and discover what makes Kog’Maw a must-try champion.

Lore

Kog’Maw, belched forth from a rotting Void incursion deep in the wastelands of Icathia, is a curious yet putrid creature with a caustic, gaping mouth. This bizarre Void-spawn is driven by insatiable hunger and a voracious appetite for knowledge. Despite being a creature of baseline instincts, Kog’Maw’s naive curiosity can be a double-edged sword, often leading to feeding frenzies. While not inherently malevolent, Kog’Maw’s lack of understanding of its surroundings and its insatiable hunger make it a force to be reckoned with in the League of Legends universe.

Champion Abilities

Now, let’s break down Kog’Maw’s unique abilities:

• Passive – Icathian Surprise: When Kog’Maw meets his demise, he doesn’t go quietly. Four seconds after his death, he explodes, dealing true damage to nearby enemies.
• Q – Caustic Spittle: Kog’Maw hurls a corrosive projectile, dealing magic damage and reducing the target’s armor and magic resist for a short duration. This ability also grants Kog’Maw additional attack speed.
• W – Bio-Arcane Barrage: Kog’Maw’s auto attacks gain extra range and deal a percentage of the target’s maximum health as magic damage. It’s a tank’s worst nightmare!
• E – Void Ooze: Kog’Maw launches a peculiar ooze that damages all enemies it passes through and leaves a slowing trail behind. It’s great for area control and crowd control.
• R – Living Artillery: Kog’Maw fires artillery shells at great distances, dealing magic damage. This ability is particularly deadly against low-health enemies and reveals non-stealthed targets. But remember, spamming it will cost extra mana!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Kog’Maw

Now, let’s talk pros and cons:

Pros:

• Kog’Maw boasts high-range artillery, perfect for poking your enemies from a safe distance.
• He’s a wave-clearing machine, making it easier to farm and apply pressure.
• With his W, Bio-Arcane Barrage, Kog’Maw can shred even the tankiest opponents.
• He has decent burst potential, making him a versatile pick.
• Plus, playing Kog’Maw is just plain fun!

Cons:

• Kog’Maw has no escape mechanisms, so positioning is crucial.
• He needs time to scale up, ideally until at least level 11, before reaching his full potential.
• Late game can be a bit tricky for Kog’Maw, as maintaining the right positioning becomes even more critical.

Best Items for Kog’Maw

Choosing the right items for Kog’Maw can make or break your game. Here are some of the top picks:

 Guinsoo’s Rageblade: This item provides magic damage on-hit, increased attack speed, and armor and magic penetration. It’s a must-have for Kog’Maw.

 Kraken Slayer: Enhance Kog’Maw’s damage and critical strike potential with this item. It synergizes perfectly with Guinsoo’s Rageblade.

 Runaan’s Hurricane: This item is fantastic, enabling Kog’Maw to damage two more champions simultaneously. It also grants mobility, attack speed, and critical strike chance.

 Berserker’s Greaves: These boots not only boost Kog’Maw’s mobility but also provide essential attack speed for trades and skirmishes.

Best Lanes and Roles for Kog’Maw

When it comes to Kog’Maw’s ideal position and role, he typically thrives in the Bottom Lane, specifically as the bot lane marksman. He may be a little squishy on his own, but with a support by his side, he can more easily reach his late-game power spikes. In the bottom lane, you’ll have the chance to farm, scale, and, when the time is right, unleash your devastating damage on the enemy team.

Champion Picks and Counter Picks

Let’s talk matchups. Kog’Maw excels in the bot lane against champions like Swain and Aphelios, where his range and sustained damage can give him an edge. However, he faces a tough time when dealing with champions like Ziggs and Miss Fortune. These two can make life difficult for Kog’Maw, so it’s best to avoid those matchups if you can.

Price of Kog’Maw in 2023

For those of you wondering about the price, as of 2023, Kog’Maw costs 4800 Blue Essence or 880 Riot Points. Keep in mind that Blue Essence can be earned in-game, making Kog’Maw an accessible choice.

My Feedback

As a seasoned gamer, I can’t help but love Kog’Maw’s playstyle. He’s a true hyper carry with incredible range thanks to his Bio-Arcane Barrage. Late in the game, he can obliterate any champion who dares to stand in his path. But, and here’s the catch, playing Kog’Maw comes with its own set of challenges. You’ll want a team that can provide engage and crowd control to protect you. An exceptional support like Lulu can peel for you and scale alongside you, ensuring you reach your full potential.

However, Kog’Maw isn’t without his weaknesses. Early game, he’s incredibly squishy, and facing aggressive support champions with crowd control, such as Rell or Blitzcrank, can be a nightmare. Similarly, going up against mages like Lux or Xerath, who out-range him, can lead to heavy poking and CS denial. Plus, if the enemy team is loaded with heavy crowd control champions, it might not be the best time to pick Kog’Maw.

Best Guide for Kog’Maw in 2023

For those of you eager to dive deeper into Kog’Maw’s gameplay, I highly recommend this comprehensive guide:AP Kog’Maw Guide. It’s a valuable resource to help you master this unique champion’s strengths and tactics.

Best Skins for Kog’Maw

Now, let’s talk style! Kog’Maw has an array of skins, each with its own unique flavor:

• Caterpillar Kog’Maw (520 RP): While it’s an outdated skin with no standout features, it’s a collector’s item for those who love rare skins.
• Sonoran Kog’Maw (520 RP): This one’s a minor thematic improvement over Caterpillar, offering a different color but not much else.
• Reindeer Kog’Maw (975 RP): A holiday-themed skin with Christmas carol emotes and snow particles, but the animations might not be to everyone’s taste.
• Lion Dance Kog’Maw (1350 RP): A decent skin with pleasing auto-attacks and thematic abilities, though it lacks additional features like new recall animations or voice changes.
• Monarch Kog’Maw (520 RP): Despite minimal ability animations and particles, it has a cult following thanks to its unique wing glow and occasional hop animation.
• Jurassic Kog’Maw (975 RP): This skin is a safe and affordable choice. It transforms Kog’Maw into a cool dinosaur-themed creature with updated ability particles, making it an excellent pick for fans of Kog’Maw.
• Deep Sea Kog’Maw (975 RP): If you’re into nightmarish aesthetics, this skin’s for you. It offers a terrifying character model and thematic particle changes that set it apart.
• Pug’Maw (975 RP): This skin is a blend of goofiness, terror, and dog drool. With barking auto-attacks and a distinctive tongue animation, it’s an unusual but fun choice.
• Hextech Kog’Maw (10 Gemstones): Featuring a character model with robotic parts and magical crystals, this skin offers clean ability animations. However, it lacks a voice filter and is quite expensive.
• Bee’Maw (1350 RP): An adorable yet slightly horrifying bee-themed skin with a cute backing animation, fun abilities, and bee sound effects. But it retains the original voice and has a rather scary death animation.
• Battlecast Kog’Maw (1350 RP): If you prefer a more serious aesthetic, this one’s for you. It turns Kog’Maw into a tactical war machine with new animations, a voice filter, and a convenient backing animation.
• Arcanist Kog’Maw (1350 RP): A top choice for AP Kog’Maw players, this skin features a mystical character model, thematically fitting abilities, and an overall appealing design for those who enjoy the mage version of Kog’Maw.

Champion’s Tricks and Interesting Facts

Before we wrap up, here are some intriguing tidbits about Kog’Maw:

• Although Kog’Maw’s Icathian Surprise causes him to explode upon death, he has a “normal” death animation that can be seen when he’s revived by effects like Chronoshift or Guardian Angel.
• Kog’Maw is one of the very few champions with abilities that allow them to keep fighting after death, along with champions like Sion and Karthus.
• Interestingly, Kog’Maw is the only Void-related champion who doesn’t have “Void” in his title.
• If you watch Kog’Maw closely, you’ll notice him blinking one eye at a time and occasionally spinning around, akin to dogs chasing their tails.
• Kog’Maw was the first champion in League of Legends to have a joke animation, a playful addition to his character.
• Notably, Kog’Maw was first glimpsed in a screenshot from Malzahar’s reveal, which added to his mysterious allure in the game.
• “Maw” is another term for a mouth, quite fitting for a champion with an insatiable hunger.

So, there you have it, fellow gamers! Kog’Maw, a unique and fascinating champion, ready to chew through his foes and leave a trail of destruction. Whether you’re an aspiring Kog’Maw main or just curious about this quirky creature from the Void, give him a try and savor the experience. Have fun on the Rift, and may the explosion of Icathian Surprise bring you many victories!

FAQ

Who is Kog’Maw in League of Legends?

Kog’Maw is a champion from the game League of Legends, a quirky creature from the Void known for its insatiable hunger and unique abilities.

What are Kog’Maw’s abilities and how do they work?

Kog’Maw has a passive ability called “Icathian Surprise,” and active abilities including “Caustic Spittle,” “Bio-Arcane Barrage,” “Void Ooze,” and “Living Artillery.” Each ability has its own distinct effects and uses.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of playing Kog’Maw?

Kog’Maw excels in long-range artillery and has excellent damage output, but he lacks mobility and can be vulnerable in the early game. Positioning and team composition are crucial when playing Kog’Maw.

What are the recommended items for Kog’Maw in 2023?

Key items for Kog’Maw include Guinsoo’s Rageblade, Kraken Slayer, Runaan’s Hurricane, and Berserker’s Greaves. These items maximize his damage output and attack speed.

Where does Kog’Maw excel in terms of lanes and matchups?

Kog’Maw is typically played in the Bottom Lane as the bot lane marksman, with a support. He performs well against certain champions but may struggle against others, so understanding matchups is important for success.