Top Vladimir Mid Lane Counters & How To Counter Him

Top Vladimir Mid Lane Counters & How To Counter Him

By Marcus Chen

January 5, 2025 at 12:33 PM

Vladimir's early game vulnerability makes him susceptible to aggressive play and strategic counterbuilding. Exploit his long cooldowns and weak early game to prevent his late-game scaling.

Vladimir Blood Lord champion portrait

Vladimir Blood Lord champion portrait

Best Counters:

  • Anivia
  • Cassiopeia
  • Kayle
  • Malzahar
  • Vel'Koz

Effective Laning Strategies:

  1. Bait out Vladimir's W (Sanguine Pool) and punish during its long cooldown
  2. Back away when his empowered Q is ready to force minion usage
  3. Rush Executioner's Calling when playing AD champions

Team Fight Tactics:

  • Maintain distance between teammates to minimize his Ultimate's impact
  • Ward flanks to prevent surprise engages
  • Build healing reduction items on carries
  • Focus him during his cooldown windows

Power Spike Windows:

  • Early Game (Level 1-6): Weakest phase, maximize pressure
  • Level 9: Q maxed, increased damage and sustain
  • Late Game: Peak power in team fights, try to close game early

Key Timing Windows:

  • Punish when W is on cooldown (20+ seconds early game)
  • Track empowered Q cooldown (periodic red bar)
  • Coordinate ganks when his escape is down
  • Build grievous wounds before he reaches level 9

Counter Tips:

  • Pick champions with consistent damage output
  • Build Magic Resist early
  • Take short trades rather than extended fights
  • Control wave to force him to use abilities on farm
  • Maintain vision control to prevent flanks

Related Articles

Previous Articles