Aphelios is the most complex ADC. His 5-weapon system means you're playing a different champion every 50 ammo. Master weapon order, off-hand combos, and R timing to unlock his true potential.
Abilities
Skills Overview
P
The Hitman and the Seer
Passive
Aphelios wields 5 Lunari Weapons made by his sister Alune. He has access to two at a time: one main-hand and one off-hand. Each weapon has a unique Basic Attack and Ability. Attacks and abilities consume a weapon's ammo. When out of ammo, Aphelios discards the weapon and Alune summons the next of the 5.
5 weapons cycle automatically. Learn the order: Calibrum (green/sniper) → Severum (red/lifesteal) → Gravitum (purple/slow) → Infernum (blue/AoE) → Crescendum (white/turret).
Q
Weapon Abilites
Weapon-Dependent Ability
Aphelios has 5 different activated abilities, based on his main-hand weapon:Calibrum (Rifle): Long range shot that marks its target for a long-range follow-up attack.Severum (Scythe Pistol): Run fast while attacking nearby enemies with both weapons.Gravitum (Cannon): Root all enemies slowed by this weapon.Infernum (Flamethrower): Blast enemies in a cone and attack them with your off-hand weapon.Crescendum (Chakram): Deploy a sentry that shoots your off-hand weapon.
CD: 9 · Cost: 60
Q changes based on your main weapon. Each Q also applies your off-hand weapon effect. Master all 10 Q combinations.
W
Phase
Weapon Swap
Aphelios swaps his main-hand gun with his off-hand gun, replacing his basic attack and activated ability.
CD: 0.8 · Cost: 0
W swaps your main and off-hand weapon. Manage your ammo so you always have the right weapon for the situation.
E
Weapon Queue System
N/A — Passive Weapon System
Aphelios has no third ability. This slot shows the next weapon Alune will give him. Weapon order begins fixed but may change over game time -- when a weapon is out of ammo it goes to the end of the order.
CD: 0 · Cost: 0
Aphelios has no E ability. His power budget is in his weapon system.
R
Moonlight Vigil
Global Skillshot · Weapon Effect
Fire a concentrated blast of moonlight that explodes on enemy champions. Applies the unique effect of Aphelios' main-hand gun.
CD: 120/110/100 · Cost: 100
R fires a skillshot that applies your current main weapon's effect in an AoE. Infernum R is the teamfight winner — AoE damage explosion.
Skill Leveling Order — Level R at 6/11/16 · Put points into Q, then W · No E
| Level | Q | W | E | R | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Take Q — weapon ability | ||||
| 2 | Level Q | ||||
| 3 | Take W — weapon swap | ||||
| 4 | Level Q | ||||
| 5 | Level Q | ||||
| 6 | R — Moonlight Vigil | ||||
| 7 | Level Q | ||||
| 8 | Level W | ||||
| 9 | Q maxed ✓ | ||||
| 10 | Level W | ||||
| 11 | R rank 2 | ||||
| 12 | Level W | ||||
| 13 | Level W | ||||
| 14 | W maxed ✓ | ||||
| 15 | Level W | ||||
| 16 | R rank 3 | ||||
| 17 | Level W | ||||
| 18 | W maxed ✓ |
Itemization
Recommended Builds
Core Build
Kraken Slayer
True damage every 3rd hit. Crescendum turret procs it rapidly.
3100g
Berserker's Greaves
Attack speed.
1100g
Runaan's Hurricane
Bolts apply weapon effects. Infernum + Runaan's = AoE destruction.
2600g
Infinity Edge
Crit damage multiplier.
3400g
Situational
Rapid Firecannon
Extended range for Calibrum snipes.
2500g
Bloodthirster
Lifesteal + shield for survivability.
3400g
Lord Dominik's Regards
Armor pen vs tanks.
2900g
Kraken → Runaan's → IE. Runaan's is essential — bolts apply weapon effects for massive AoE.
Runes
Precision Primary
Press the Attack
3 autos expose target. Crescendum stacks it instantly.
Presence of Mind
Mana sustain for Q spam in lane.
Legend: Bloodline
Lifesteal scaling.
Coup de Grace
Execute damage on low targets.
Domination Secondary
Taste of Blood
Lane sustain.
Treasure Hunter
Gold acceleration.
Shards
Attack Speed · Adaptive Force · Health
Gameplay
How to Play Aphelios
01
Early Game
Farm and Learn Weapon Combos
- Farm carefully. Learn which weapon pairs are strongest for lane trades.
- Calibrum + Gravitum: snipe with Calibrum mark, root with Gravitum Q.
- Severum + Crescendum: lifesteal + turret for all-in trades.
- Don't waste ammo randomly. Plan which weapons you want for upcoming fights.
- Gravitum root sets up easy ganks for your jungler.
02
Mid Game
Infernum R Teamfights
- Infernum R is your teamfight nuke. Save it for grouped enemies.
- Runaan's + Infernum = AoE firestorm. Position to hit as many enemies as possible.
- Crescendum turret gives insane DPS in objective fights. Place it and kite around it.
- Track your weapon rotation. Know which weapon comes next before fights.
- Gravitum Q root is your self-peel. Root divers and kite away.
03
Late Game
200 Years of DPS
- Infernum R into a grouped team wins fights instantly. Wait for the perfect moment.
- Crescendum with max chakrams deals the highest single-target DPS in the game.
- Position behind your frontline. You have no dash — one CC and you're dead.
- Calibrum Q marks targets from extreme range. Use it to poke before fights.
- Severum Q heals massively at full build. Use it to sustain through poke.
Teamfighting
How to Teamfight as Aphelios
Aphelios teamfights revolve around weapon selection. Infernum R for AoE, Crescendum for DPS, Gravitum for peel.
1
Setup — Get Infernum Ready
Before fight
01
Track your weapon rotation. Have Infernum as main weapon.
02
Position behind frontline. You have no dash.
03
Wait for enemies to group.
You have NO escape ability. Position is everything. One misstep = death.
2
Nuke — Infernum R
AoE burst
01
R when 3+ enemies are grouped. Infernum R deals AoE explosion.
02
Runaan's bolts spread the fire.
03
Swap to Crescendum for cleanup DPS.
3
Cleanup — Crescendum DPS
Single target
01
Crescendum chakrams stack with kills.
02
Place turret for zone control.
03
Gravitum Q to root fleeing enemies.
Infernum R + Runaan's Hurricane is the most devastating AoE combo in the game. A 5-man Infernum R can literally one-shot an entire team.
Tips & Tricks
Advanced Mechanics & Hidden Tech
Advanced mechanics for Aphelios.
Basic
Weapon Order
Weapons cycle: Calibrum → Severum → Gravitum → Infernum → Crescendum. Memorize this order.
Advanced
Infernum R
Infernum R deals AoE damage in a cone behind each target hit. With Runaan's, the bolts also deal Infernum AoE. It's the strongest R in the game.
Intermediate
Crescendum Turret
Crescendum Q places a turret that attacks nearby enemies. It applies your off-hand weapon effect. Gravitum off-hand = slowing turret.
Basic
No E or Dash
Aphelios has no escape. Position carefully. If you get caught, you die.
Advanced
Ammo Management
Plan 2-3 weapons ahead. Burn through unwanted weapons quickly to get to the pair you need for the next fight.
Intermediate
Gravitum Root
Gravitum autos slow. Gravitum Q roots all slowed enemies. This is your self-peel — slow the diver, then root them.
Matchups
Counters & Matchups
Aphelios struggles against long-range poke and assassins who can reach him. He excels when protected by his team with the right weapons.
Click any matchup to expand tips & how to play against them
Loses Against
Caitlyn outranges you in lane and bullies you before you can scale.
Farm safely. Give up CS if needed. You outscale her massively at 2+ items.
Draven's early damage destroys you. He snowballs off kills and you can't match his aggression.
Play safe. Don't trade into him. Farm to Kraken and outscale.
Lucian's burst and mobility overwhelm your immobile kit early.
Respect his level 2 all-in. Farm under tower if needed.
Wins Against
Both scale but you have more utility with weapon effects. Gravitum root catches him easily.
Match his farm. You win teamfights with Infernum R while he just auto-attacks.
Twitch is weak in lane and you can bully him with Calibrum range.
Punish him every time he goes for CS. Zone him off the wave.
Sivir can't match your DPS. Her spell shield only blocks one ability.
Bait her spell shield with a low-value Q, then go all-in.