[2.4b] Braum Guide - Climb as Braum

STARTING ITEM

As a tank, Braum has an extremely situational build with many different items being viable on him.

When you first start the game, purchase Boots of Speed with your 500g. This will put you in a great position for the first Dragon fight, as you will only need 1000g for the enchantment. Purchase either:

• Mercury's Treads if the enemy has a lot of CC (i.e Janna , Leona , Kennen )
• Plated Steelcaps if the enemy has a lot of AD and autoattack damage [i.e, Jinx , Tristana , additional ADC in the mid lane]

In this current meta, I believe that Redeeming Enchant (Redemption) is far surperior over [Locket Enchant]. You will be able to purchase Redeeming Enchant before the first Dragon fight starts. This will give you an extra heal and zoning damage against the enemy. If the meta does change and [Locket Enchant] becomes viable again, this would be a great pickup if the enemy has a lot of AOE damage (i.e Katarina , Kennen ).

EARLY GAME

I believe that Braum has two core items that can be useful against ANY composition. Here is a description of both of them:

Zeke's Convergence : This is a great first item on Braum. When it comes to teamfights, Braum's ultimate is a powerful tool to CC and zone the enemy champions. You will be engaging with this ultimate A LOT. Therefore, the effect's of Zeke's Convergence will be very beneficial to your ADC. Additionally, Zeke's Convergence provides great stats for both armor and magic resistance to help you be more aggressive in lane.

Protector's Vow : This item can be purchased as a second item or as a first IF you're struggling in lane. This item will help protect your ADC in the laning phase, giving them a shield and Braum some additional armor to sustain in lane. 

SITUATIONAL ITEMS

These next item's are completely situational and can work for and against different compositions. Here are the items I believe are viable on Braum:

Randuin's Omen : This is a great item on Braum. A lot of ADCs are benefiting heavily now with the addition of Solari Chargeblade and other crit chance items. Therefore, giving Braum the extra protection in team fights is a MUST. Randuin's Omen will also decrease the attack speed of enemy champions by 15%, making this a great item against champions like Jinx , Tristana and Yasuo .

Bramble Vest / Thornmail : After you have purchased Zeke's Convergence , an early Bramble Vest can be a great strategy. The item only costs 1000g and gives 30 Armor, but ALSO gives Braum some protection and anti heal against champions that look to life steal in teamfights. I would not recommend fully upgrading this to Thornmail as a second item, but rather forcus on other Tier 3 items and leave upgrading the Bramble Vest till last.

Abyssal Mask : If the enemy team has an AP carry that is speeding ahead, the Abyssal Mask can be great as a second or third item. Additionally, Abyssal Mask can also be purchased early if you have double AP on your team, such as an AP top, jungle or mid laner. The Abyssal Mask buffs your allies to do 15% more magic damage, gifting your allies that extra boost if they're ahead.

Dead Man's Plate : If the enemy has a lot of AD damage but NOT focusing on crit damage, Dead Man's Plate is a great pickup. It buffs Braum with extra health and armor, but also enables Braum to get closer to the enemy with extra movement speed.

Force of Nature : Force of Nature is a good item if you aren't looking for extra buffs of the Abyssal Mask (i.e if you only have one AP champion, your AP damage is weak). Force of Nature provides more health and slightly less magic resistance than the Abyssal Mask . This item also provides some extra movement speed, making it a great item against champion's like Teemo who look to slow with his ultimate and deal magic damage in the process.

Iceborn Gauntlet : ONLY get this item if you are building lots of armor. Iceborn Gauntlet becomes better with the more armor you build, making it a good item to pickup against a composition that has A LOT of AD damage. Only build Iceborn Gauntlet in select situations (heavy enemy AD composition, ally team looking to snowball).