Mastering Azir requires patience, mechanical precision, and a deep understanding of positioning in League of Legends. If you want to climb the ladder as the Emperor of the Sands, button-mashing won't cut it. You need clean soldier management, consistent wave control, and a firm grip on his complex kit.
This guide breaks down everything from optimal rune pages and item spikes to advanced shurima shuffles and common mistakes that hold players back. Whether you're picking him up for the first time or trying to break out of emerald, let's look at how to play Azir effectively.
Understanding Azir's Kit and Core Mechanics
Azir's identity centers on his Sand Soldiers. Unlike traditional mages who cast spells directly from their own bodies, Azir commands constructs that basic attack for him. Your positioning is entirely dependent on where these soldiers stand.
Arise! (W)
This is your primary tool for farming, poking, and trading. You store up to two charges and summon a soldier at a target location. When you issue a basic attack command, the soldier strikes instead of Azir if the target is in its range. If multiple soldiers strike the same target, subsequent hits deal reduced damage, but the initial poke hurts. For another angle on this development, see the recent update from Reuters.
Conquering Sands (Q)
Azir orders all active sand soldiers to dash toward a target location, dealing magic damage and slowing enemies hit. This ability is your primary zoning and chasing tool. Keep in mind that soldiers cannot move through terrain when dashed with Q, but they can reposition dynamically across open lanes.
Shifting Sands (E)
Azir dashes to one of his sand soldiers, shielding himself and knocking up any enemy champions he collides with along the way. If you hit an enemy champion, you immediately gain a charge of Arise! W. This skill is your only built-in mobility tool, making it vital for both escapes and aggressive engages.
Emperor's Divide (R)
Your ultimate summons a wall of shield-bearing soldiers that charge forward, knocking back enemies and creating an impassable barrier for a few seconds. Enemies can't dash through this wall, though Azir and his allies can walk right through it freely. It's one of the most versatile playmaking tools in the game.
Optimal Runes and Build Paths
Choosing the right runes depends on whether you're facing a control mage or an aggressive assassin in the mid lane.
Rune Setup
- Primary Tree (Precision): Lethal Tempo remains the premier choice for scaling damage, letting you melt tanks once you secure attack speed items. Take Presence of Mind to manage your mana pool during trades, Legend: Alacrity for extra attack speed, and Coup de Grace to finish off low-health targets.
- Secondary Tree (Sorcery): Manaflow Band helps solve early-game mana constraints, paired with Transcendence for crucial ability haste as you level up.
Core Item Progression
- First Back & Mythic/Core Component: Start with Doran's Ring and two health potions. Rush Lost Chapter for essential mana sustain and ability power.
- First Major Item: Ludend's Companion or Malignance depending on your preference for burst versus ultimate cooldown reduction.
- Second and Third Items: Nashor's Tooth is core for its high attack speed and on-hit damage that synergizes with your soldiers. Follow up with Shadowflame or Rabadon's Deathcap to maximize your damage output against squishies.
- Defensive Options: If you're struggling against heavy burst or ad assassins, pick up Zhonya's Hourglass or Banshee's Veil.
Advanced Combos and Execution
To truly master the Emperor, you need to practice clean combo execution in the practice tool before taking them into ranked matches.
The Basic Poke
Summon a soldier with W, then immediately use Q to reposition the soldier onto your lane opponent, followed by a right-click basic attack. This lets you trade safely from a distance without drawing minion aggro.
The Shurima Shuffle (W-E-Q-R)
This is Azir's signature teamfight engage.
- Place a soldier down with W at maximum range.
- Dash toward it using E.
- While mid-dash, cast Q to extend your travel distance along with the soldier.
- Finish by casting your ultimate R to shove the enemy team backward into your waiting allies.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even veteran players occasionally fall into bad habits with this champion. Watch out for these pitfalls:
- Over-extending without E: If your Shifting Sands is on cooldown, you are extremely vulnerable to ganks. Don't play overly aggressive unless you track the enemy jungler.
- Wasting soldier charges: Stacking both soldiers in the exact same spot wastes potential area control. Spread them out to cover escape routes or farm multiple minion angles.
- Bad ultimate placement: Using Emperor's Divide haphazardly can sometimes save fleeing enemies instead of trapping them. Always angle the wall toward your own tower or team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Azir good for beginners?
No. Azir has one of the steepest learning curves in League of Legends due to his unique soldier-mechanic and positioning requirements. He requires hundreds of games to play at a high level.
How do you counter Azir in the mid lane?
Play champions with strong early-game shove and high mobility or sustain, such as Zed, Fizz, or Xerath. Punish him heavily during his early levels before he completes Nashor's Tooth.
Does attack speed affect Azir's soldiers?
Yes. While ability power scales the damage of his spells, attack speed and level scaling determine how fast his sand soldiers can basic attack.
