Vi is the simplest engage jungler. Q charges for a dash + knockback, R is point-and-click unstoppable lockdown. Press R on the carry, they die. Every game, same plan.
Abilities
Skills Overview
P
Blast Shield
Passive
Vi charges a shield over time. The shield can be activated by hitting an enemy with an ability.
Blast Shield: abilities hitting enemies grant a shield. Procs every few seconds.
Q
Vault Breaker
Charge · Dash · Knockback
Vi charges her gauntlets and unleashes a vault shattering punch, carrying her forward. Enemies she hits are knocked back and receive a stack of Denting Blows.
CD: 12/10.5/9/7.5/6 · Cost: 50/60/70/80/90
Q charges up — longer charge = more distance + damage. Can be Flash-cancelled for surprise engage.
W
Denting Blows
Passive · Armor Shred · AS
Vi's punches break her opponent's Armor, dealing bonus damage and granting her Attack Speed.
CD: 0 · Cost: 0
W passive: every 3rd hit shreds armor + gives AS. Pair with E auto-reset for fast procs.
E
Relentless Force
AA Reset · AoE
Vi's next attack blasts through her target, dealing damage to enemies behind it.
CD: 1 · Cost: 26/32/38/44/50
E is an auto-attack reset. Auto → E for instant double hit. Also hits behind the target.
R
Cease and Desist
Point-Click · Dash · Knockup · Unstoppable
Vi runs down an enemy, knocking aside anyone in the way. When she reaches her target she knocks it into the air, jumps after it, and slams it back into the ground.
CD: 140/115/90 · Cost: 100
R is point-and-click unstoppable. It CANNOT be dodged. Use on the highest priority target.
Skill Leveling Order — Max Q first, then E, then W · R at 6 / 11 / 16
| Level | Q | W | E | R | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Take E — AA reset | ||||
| 2 | Take Q — charge dash | ||||
| 3 | Take W — armor shred | ||||
| 4 | Level Q | ||||
| 5 | Level Q | ||||
| 6 | R — Assault and Battery | ||||
| 7 | Level Q | ||||
| 8 | Level E | ||||
| 9 | Q maxed ✓ | ||||
| 10 | Level E | ||||
| 11 | R rank 2 | ||||
| 12 | Level E | ||||
| 13 | Level E | ||||
| 14 | E maxed ✓ | ||||
| 15 | Level W | ||||
| 16 | R rank 3 | ||||
| 17 | Level W | ||||
| 18 | W maxed ✓ |
Itemization
Recommended Builds
Core Build
Eclipse
Shield + omnivamp on Q engage.
2800g
Plated Steelcaps
Armor for diving.
1100g
Black Cleaver
Armor shred stacks with W passive.
3100g
Death's Dance
Bleed passive + heal on kill.
3300g
Situational
Sterak's Gage
Shield when low.
3100g
Maw of Malmortius
Magic shield.
2800g
Guardian Angel
Revive after R dive.
3200g
Eclipse → Cleaver → Death's Dance. Enough damage to kill carries, tanky enough to survive diving.
Runes
Precision Primary
Conqueror
Q + auto + E + W procs stack it fast.
Triumph
Heal on takedown.
Legend: Tenacity
Tenacity for diving.
Last Stand
Bonus damage when low.
Domination Secondary
Sudden Impact
Lethality after Q dash.
Treasure Hunter
Gold on kills.
Shards
Adaptive Force · Adaptive Force · Health
Gameplay
How to Play Vi
01
Early Game
Q Ganks at Level 3
- Start Red → Raptors → Krugs → Wolves → Blue → Gromp. E AA reset speeds up clear.
- Level 3 ganks with Q charge are strong. Charge Q from fog of war.
- W armor shred + E auto-reset = fast burst combo. Q → auto → E → auto.
- Contest scuttle confidently. You win most early 1v1s.
- Flash Q for surprise long-range engage.
02
Mid Game
R the Carry
- R is point-and-click unstoppable. No flash, no Zhonya's, nothing stops it.
- R → Q → auto → E → auto is your full combo. Target is dead or flashing.
- Force objectives. Your engage forces fights.
- Peel with R if your carry needs it. R the assassin diving your ADC.
- Q through walls for surprise jungle ganks.
03
Late Game
Unstoppable Engage
- R the enemy carry every fight. Unstoppable lockdown = dead carry.
- Q → R for extended engage range. Charge Q, dash forward, then R.
- Tank frontline with W passive armor shred helping your team's DPS.
- If behind, R is still guaranteed lockdown. One good R wins the fight.
- Guardian Angel lets you R dive, die, revive, and your team cleans up.
Teamfighting
How to Teamfight as Vi
Vi R's the carry. They die. That's the entire teamfight plan.
1
Engage — R the Carry
Point-and-click
01
R is unstoppable. Nothing stops it.
02
Target the highest DPS enemy.
03
Q first for extended range if needed.
Don't R the tank. R the carry. The tank can't kill your team — the carry can.
2
Burst — Q + E Combo
Kill confirm
01
Q through the target after R lands.
02
Auto → E reset for fast burst.
03
W passive shreds armor for more damage.
3
Survive — Shield + Peel
After dive
01
Passive shield procs from abilities.
02
Death's Dance delays damage.
03
Peel remaining enemies with Q knockback.
R knocks up everyone in the path AND the target. If enemies are grouped, R through the frontline to knock up multiple people.
Tips & Tricks
Advanced Mechanics & Hidden Tech
Advanced mechanics for Vi.
Basic
R is Unstoppable
Vi R cannot be stopped by any CC. Flash, Zhonya's, nothing. It always reaches the target.
Intermediate
Q Flash
Charge Q, then Flash during the dash for extended range. The knockback still applies at the Flash location.
Basic
E Auto Reset
E resets your auto-attack. Always auto → E → auto for maximum DPS.
Intermediate
W Armor Shred
Every 3rd hit shreds armor. Q + auto + E gives 3 hits instantly for the armor shred proc.
Advanced
R Path Knockup
R knocks up enemies you pass through on the way to your target. Line up R to hit frontliners while reaching the carry.
Basic
Q Through Walls
Charged Q can dash through thin walls. Use for surprise ganks and escapes.
Matchups
Counters & Matchups
Vi struggles against champions who can survive her burst and kite her. She excels against immobile carries she can R.
Click any matchup to expand tips & how to play against them
Loses Against
Rammus taunts you after R and reflects your auto damage.
Don't R into Rammus. R his carry when Rammus is elsewhere.
Graves survives your burst with E armor stacks.
R Graves' carries, not Graves himself.
Lee Sin kicks you away after your R animation ends.
Bait his kick first. R after he's used mobility.
Wins Against
Karthus can't escape R. He dies every time.
R Karthus. Dead. Simple.
R reaches Evelynn even in stealth if targeted before she camos.
R before she stealths. Unstoppable lockdown.
Amumu can't stop your R engage on his carries.
R his ADC while Amumu tries to engage your team.