Rakan's pretty much relegated to a support only status now, but we can't forget the attempts to put him in almost every single other lane other than marksman (that one's reserved for Xayah of course). However, there were some interesting builds that popped out while players were experimenting, namely Rakan mid. Some say there are players out there that still main it to this day...
Introduction
Rakan's pretty much relegated to a support only status now, but we can't forget the attempts to put him in almost every single other lane other than marksman (that one's reserved for Xayah of course). However, there were some interesting builds that popped out while players were experimenting, namely Rakan mid. Some say there are players out there that still main it to this day...Check out how to do it below!
How to Play
Runes: Ability Power Quints, Ability Power Reds, Flat Armor Yellows, Flat Magic Resist Blues
Masteries: 12-18-0, Thunderlord Masteries
Abilities: W, Q, Q then prioritize R > Q > W > E (Get one point after maxing Q)
Summoner Spells: Flash + Ignite
Starting Items: Doran Ring + Potions/Biscuits
Core Items: Hextech Protobelt-01, Ionian Boots, Luden's Echo, Zhonya's Hourglass, Void Staff, Deathcap
Masteries: 12-18-0, Thunderlord Masteries
Abilities: W, Q, Q then prioritize R > Q > W > E (Get one point after maxing Q)
Summoner Spells: Flash + Ignite
Starting Items: Doran Ring + Potions/Biscuits
Core Items: Hextech Protobelt-01, Ionian Boots, Luden's Echo, Zhonya's Hourglass, Void Staff, Deathcap
Why It Works
Excellent UtilityAs a suport primary, Rakan has a kit that begs to be used for all the crowd-control and sustain it provides. This same kit can be used in lane to both out sustain your lane opponents and also as a phenomenal set-up for jungle ganks. If you combine him with Thunderlord's Decree, the damage he drops with his full combo is no joke either. Meanwhile, by buidling AP Rakan ends up with the ability to AOE burst down the entire enemy team while staying relatively safe via the charm effect on his ultimate.
More Gap Closing Power
Building a Protobelt as a support doesn't make you any friends. Build it on an already hyper mobile mid laner however, and you'll be dancing flashy circles around the entire enemy team. Adding in Protobelt to Rakan's already hypermobile combo allows him to initiate from completely off the screen, resulting in extremely difficult to anticipate engagements.
Amazing AP Ratios
Rakan's AP ratios are extremely good for a support with as much utility as he has. However, with the meta favoring sustain supports with Forbidden Idol trees, Rakan almost never gets to flaunt them. As an example, hsi passive shield has a 90% AP ratio, his Gleaming Quill [Q] heal has a 70% AP ratio, and his Battle Dance [E] has an 80% AP ratio. His offensive ratios aren't quite as good, but his defensive ratios allow him to out-trade the majority of lane opponents if he lands his spells.
Great Roaming Ability
When it comes to ganking side lanes, Rakan does exceedingly well as a result of his early game crowd-control and ability to dash in and out of fights. It's also quite unexpected to get ganked by a Rakan, so some laners will have difficulty predicting the effective range of his abilities.
Potential Pitfalls
High Cooldowns
Most mid laners have either extremely high burst damage or low enough cooldowns that they can continuously dish it out. Instead of these, Rakan sports a kit that is good at kiting, but needs some sort of actual damage on his team to really take advantage of the window of opportunity.
High Danger, Close Range Damage
The main reason Rakan players tend to build defensively is to prevent a ranged champion from instantly bursting you down when you jump in to initiate. This version of Rakan needs to really plan out his line if attack during team fights and can't just jump in whenever he pleases.
Low Waveclear
Although his waveclear gets a big boost from Protobelt, Rakan's overall waveclear isn't that good as a result of his only AOE damage ability being the one that he needs to initiate and escape with. As a result, avoid playing him against a high waveclear champion or you'll have a bad time without some jungler assistance.
Most mid laners have either extremely high burst damage or low enough cooldowns that they can continuously dish it out. Instead of these, Rakan sports a kit that is good at kiting, but needs some sort of actual damage on his team to really take advantage of the window of opportunity.
High Danger, Close Range Damage
The main reason Rakan players tend to build defensively is to prevent a ranged champion from instantly bursting you down when you jump in to initiate. This version of Rakan needs to really plan out his line if attack during team fights and can't just jump in whenever he pleases.
Low Waveclear
Although his waveclear gets a big boost from Protobelt, Rakan's overall waveclear isn't that good as a result of his only AOE damage ability being the one that he needs to initiate and escape with. As a result, avoid playing him against a high waveclear champion or you'll have a bad time without some jungler assistance.
Conclusions
Rakan mid is one of those champions that can work and does work in the hands of a player that initiates well and roams effectively. His burst damage is also much higher than most people realize and can cheese very hard. On the other hand, he's not as effective against long-ranged waveclear champions, and may be better suited as a counterpick to certain mid-lane melee assassins.
Suggested Rating: Low Tier 3
What do you think about Rakan Mid? Comment below!
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