by Po3stell3d

[5.0] FIGHT FOR THE FIRST LANDS!!! - Irelia Guide

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Perfectionist World Cultural Heritage
Patch 5.0
March 23, 2024 17:40
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FIGHT FOR THE FIRST LANDS!!! - Irelia Guide

This guide is to teach Wild Rift players how to play Irelia in Baron Lane and Mid Lane from a perspective of a League PC Irelia main.

Pros

  • Has great snowball potential
  • Wins in most matchups
  • Really good mid game power and map presence
  • High mobility, good against immobile champs
  • Can kill squishies easily

Cons

  • Falls behind late game
  • Weak against lane bullies like Darius and Renekton
  • Extremely item dependent
  • Difficult to play and requires a lot of practice
  • Prone to CC

Irelia Build

Best Build Guide for Irelia

Starting Items
Long Sword
Dagger
Core Items
Trinity Force
Sterak's Gage
Blade of the Ruined King
AGAINST AD HEAVY COMPS
Guardian Angel
Frozen Heart
Randuin's Omen
Thornmail
AGAINST AP HEAVY COMPS
Spirit Visage
Force of Nature
Boots
Plated Steelcaps
Mercury's Treads
Ionian Boots of Lucidity
Full Build Example
Blade of the Ruined King
Mercury's Treads
Trinity Force
Sterak's Gage
Guardian Angel
Spirit Visage

Item Build Description

Additional information on the items

In order to build IreliaIrelia properly, you must build her with physical damage items and tank items. Remember that you are a Baron laner, and the baron lane is mostly composed of tanks, bruisers and (sometimes) ADC. I'll remind you NOT to build full damage on IreliaIrelia , whether it be full AD or AP because you are going to be squishy.

STARTING ITEMS:

POWERSPIKE:

CORE ITEMS:

  • Blade of the Ruined KingBlade of the Ruined King . One of the best items for IreliaIrelia . Gives AD, attack speed and physical vamp. It's passive allows your basic attacks to deal a percentage of the target's HP. This great as IreliaIrelia relies heavily on basic attacks.
  • Trinity ForceTrinity Force . Gives HP, AD, attack speed and ability haste. Allows you to deal bonus damage after using a skill. Since you're going to AA a lot, this is another great item.
  • Sterak's GageSterak's Gage . Gives HP and +50% base AD. Lifeline is the most important part of this item because IreliaIrelia is very squishy.

OTHER ITEMS:

  • Guardian AngelGuardian Angel . Gives armor and AD. You would want this just incase you die or misposition. The armor and AD is great too.
  • Frozen HeartFrozen Heart and Randuin's OmenRanduin's Omen . These items are useful if the ADC is ahead and if you want to reduce their attack speed and damage overall.
  • ThornmailThornmail . Gives HP and armor. It's passive allows you to damage anyone who attacks you and inflicts grievous wounds on them.
  • Spirit VisageSpirit Visage . Gives HP, MR, health regen and ability haste. You'd want this to increase the healing from your first skill. You'd also want this if your team has a healer like SorakaSoraka or SonaSona
  • Force of NatureForce of Nature . Gives HP, MR and bonus movement speed. You gain bonus MR for every magic damage you take. Only buy this if they have an AP carry like KatarinaKatarina .

FLEXIBLE ITEMS:

  • Youmuu's GhostbladeYoumuu's Ghostblade . Grants AD, flat armor penetration and ability haste. It grants you momentum and upon reaching 100 stacks, gives you bonus movement speed. It's useful for maneuvering in the jungle.
  • Umbral GlaiveUmbral Glaive . Grants the same stats as Youmuu's GhostbladeYoumuu's Ghostblade . It's passive allows you to see wards and traps and destroy them. Only buy this if you are playing Jungle and if you are facing against TeemoTeemo or JhinJhin . Otherwise, consider other item options. 
  • Maw of MalmortiusMaw of Malmortius . Grants AD, MR and ability haste. It also has the lifetime passive. However, this only works against magic damage. Only use this if you are playing IreliaIrelia in Mid.
  • Black CleaverBlack Cleaver . Gives HP, AD and ability haste. It's passive allows you to shred a percentage of an enemy's armor. This is useful against tanks like GarenGaren and MalphiteMalphite . It's basically an anti-tank item.
  • Death's DanceDeath's Dance . Gives HP, AD, physical vamp and ability haste. 30% of damage taken is converted into bleed for 3 seconds. This is a good anti-burst item especially against assassins. 
  • Dead Man's PlateDead Man's Plate . Gives HP and armor. It has the same passive as Youmuu's GhostbladeYoumuu's Ghostblade . Upon reaching 100 stacks, you gain bonus movement speed.

(NOT RECOMMENDED) AP IRELIA MID BUILD:

  • Nashor's ToothNashor's Tooth . Gives AP, attack speed and ability haste. This item allows you to deal extra magic damage based on your AP.
  • Lich BaneLich Bane . GIves AP and ability haste. This item is the AP equivalent of Trinity ForceTrinity Force . After using an ability, your auto-attacks will deal extra magic damage based on your base AD and AP.
  • Void StaffVoid Staff . Gives AP and +40% magic penetration. Use this against tanks and bruisers with a lot of magic resists.
  • Hextech GunbladeHextech Gunblade . Gives AD and AP and physical and magic vamp. Hitting an enemy champion shocks them for magic damage and slows them down for 2 seconds. This is great for bursting down your opponents. 
  • Luden's EchoLuden's Echo . Gives AP, ability haste and mana. Moving and casting stacks Discord. Upon reaching 100 stacks, you gain extra AP and deals +10% magic damage to nearby enemies. 

BOOTS AND ENCHANTMENTS:

  • Plated SteelcapsPlated Steelcaps is the best choice for IreliaIrelia as it increases your durability against physical damage. Grants armor.
  • Mercury's TreadsMercury's Treads is also a good choice for AP and CC-heavy matchups. Grants MR.
  • Ionian Boots of LucidityIonian Boots of Lucidity is a good choice to reduce your skill cooldowns. However, you should only consider buying this if you are on a easy/fair matchup.
  • [stasis enchant] is by far the best enchant you can buy for IreliaIrelia . This item will prevent you from dying from assassins just in-case they're ahead. 
  • Quicksilver EnchantQuicksilver Enchant is also a good choice in CC-heavy matchups where [stasis enchant] is pointless.
  • Teleport EnchantTeleport Enchant is good too since you are a Baron laner. You are going to be using this if you need to get to the frontlines quickly, or if you are splitpushing.

Irelia Runes

Best Runes for Irelia

Keystone
Conqueror
Conqueror
Domination
Triumph
Triumph
Resolve
Hunter Titan
Hunter Titan
Inspiration
Sweet Tooth
Sweet Tooth

This is the standard rune set for IreliaIrelia in the Baron lane, assuming the team composition has low amounts of CC. ConquerorConqueror would be your best option as it allows you to deal more damage overtime and is very good in skirmishes/teamfights. TriumphTriumph will heal you after every champion take down and Hunter TitanHunter Titan will help you mitigate CC. Sweet ToothSweet Tooth is good as IreliaIrelia has bad mana consumption.

Keystone
Conqueror
Conqueror
Domination
Brutal
Brutal
Resolve
Hunter Titan
Hunter Titan
Inspiration
Manaflow Band
Manaflow Band

This rune set is good if you are against CC-heavy matchups. BrutalBrutal will help your laning phase in Baron lane or Jungle lane. Hunter TitanHunter Titan will help you mitigate CC from lane bullies like RenektonRenekton and ShenShen

Keystone
Conqueror
Conqueror
Domination
Gathering Storm
Gathering Storm
Resolve
Bone Plating
Bone Plating
Inspiration
Hunter Genius
Hunter Genius

Only use this rune set if you are playing IreliaIrelia in the Mid lane. Gathering StormGathering Storm (after its buff) is good so that your damage will scale in late game. Bone PlatingBone Plating allows you to mitigate some of the burst damage you receive from assassins and mages and Hunter GeniusHunter Genius grants you ability haste after every champion takedown.

Skill Order

How to distribute skill points

Ionian Fervor
Ionian Fervor - Passive
Bladesurge
Bladesurge
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Defiant Dance
Defiant Dance
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Flawless Duet
Flawless Duet
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Vanguard's Edge
Vanguard's Edge
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Summoner Spells

When to take which summoners

Flash
Always mandatory.
Ignite
For more damage/snowball potential/
Barrier
Against laners who use Ignite.
Smite
If you're playing Jungle.
Exhaust
Use this on hard matchups

Combos

Learn how to maximize the champions potential

Flawless Duet
3rd
Bladesurge
1st
Auto Attack
AA
Defiant Dance
2nd
Bladesurge
1st

This is your basic trading pattern in Baron lane with Irelia. You double-cast Flawless DuetFlawless Duet towards the enemy, charge at them with BladesurgeBladesurge , auto-attack and use Defiant DanceDefiant Dance just in-case they have CC or burst damage then escape by casting BladesurgeBladesurge to the nearest minion.

Flawless Duet
3rd
Vanguard's Edge
Ult
Bladesurge
1st
Auto Attack
AA
Defiant Dance
2nd

This is Irelia's INSTAKILL combo. Double-cast Flawless DuetFlawless Duet towards the enemy, use Vanguard's EdgeVanguard's Edge and dash towards them with BladesurgeBladesurge and auto-attack. If the target is still alive, use Defiant DanceDefiant Dance .

Flawless Duet
3rd
Vanguard's Edge
Ult
Flash
Flash
Bladesurge
1st
Flawless Duet
3rd
Auto Attack
AA
Bladesurge
1st
Auto Attack
AA
Bladesurge
1st
Defiant Dance
2nd

This is the complicated version of Irelia's INSTAKILL combo because it is hard to pull off and requires perfect timing and execution. Start by casting Flawless DuetFlawless Duet . Use Vanguard's EdgeVanguard's Edge , then Flash at the end of the channel to redirect the hitbox. Use BladesurgeBladesurge then follow it up with your second Flawless DuetFlawless Duet . Follow it up with AA, BladesurgeBladesurge , AA, BladesurgeBladesurge and then Defiant DanceDefiant Dance .

Irelia Matchups & Counters

Detailed information on how to play matchups and counters

Dr. Mundo
Easy
Dr. Mundo
Gragas
Easy
Gragas
Kennen
Easy
Kennen
Malphite
Easy
Malphite
Nasus
Easy
Nasus
Rengar
Easy
Rengar
Teemo
Easy
Teemo
Tryndamere
Easy
Tryndamere
Shyvana
Easy
Shyvana
Graves
Easy
Graves
Akali
Medium
Akali
Fiora
Medium
Fiora
Garen
Medium
Garen
Jax
Medium
Jax
Yasuo
Medium
Yasuo
Darius
Hard
Darius
Olaf
Hard
Olaf
Pantheon
Hard
Pantheon
Renekton
Hard
Renekton
Singed
Hard
Singed
Vayne
Hard
Vayne
Camille
Skill
Camille
Irelia
Skill
Irelia
Riven
Skill
Riven
Wukong
Skill
Wukong

 Very easy lane since he has no type of resists or CC. Feel free to start with Q as you stack your passive. As long as you don't get camped, it's an easy matchup for you. 

Irelia

Favorite Matchups

OriannaOrianna . IreliaIrelia 's ease to get into enemy backlines makes her an ideal champion for OriannaOrianna to attach her ball into. With this, OriannaOrianna can CC a lot of people while IreliaIrelia is securing kills for the team.
LuluLulu . She is one of the best supports to play with as IreliaIrelia . She can buff your basic attacks while also making you tanky.
RakanRakan . He can set up for you as you dive, however, it's going to be hard to pull off even though he's strong with her.
BraumBraum . Same thing for RakanRakan , but he can set up much easier with his passive.
Kai'saKai'sa . She can follow up with your engages during teamfights.

Irelia

Early Game

At level 1 you have the option of taking any of your 3 spells depending on the matchup. BladesurgeBladesurge  is best in good matchups where you can play aggressively early on as by waiting for the first few melee minions to drop low and then last-hitting them all with  BladesurgeBladesurge  then using BladesurgeBladesurge  on your lane opponent you'll have a fully stacked  Ionian FervorIonian Fervor . Flawless DuetFlawless Duet  is good if you're in a matchup where the opponent might go aggressive early on, since you can then stun them in your minion wave and trade back quickly before backing off as they take minion aggro. Defiant DanceDefiant Dance  can be optimal against opponents with level 1 CC, such as JaxJax  or RivenRiven , so you can just charge  Defiant DanceDefiant Dance  with damage reduction during the CC duration, but if you're confident I would rather recommend taking  BladesurgeBladesurge  and going on the aggression.


At level 2 no matter what you started you'll want to take  BladesurgeBladesurge , or if you started it at level 1 you'll want to again take either  Defiant DanceDefiant Dance  or  Flawless DuetFlawless Duet  depending on the matchup. Unless you're losing lane pretty handily you'll usually want to take  Flawless DuetFlawless Duet  though, since it gives you the ability to Mark your lane opponent and cast  BladesurgeBladesurge  twice on them, as well as being stronger in all-ins as it gives you the ability to stun your opponent.

At level 3 you'll take whichever spell you haven't yet taken, since even if your lane opponent doesn't have CC you can still benefit from the damage reduction even if just during one auto-attack, and it gives you more damage than just putting another point in BladesurgeBladesurge . Your play pattern remains the same from levels 3-5.

After you obtain your ultimate, you'll have a lot more kill potential and can potentially cast BladesurgeBladesurge   onto your enemy 3 times in one fight, making you very sticky and increasing your damage beyond just Vanguard's EdgeVanguard's Edge 's damage. A great way to engage is to either cast Vanguard's EdgeVanguard's Edge onto your target and directly BladesurgeBladesurge   onto them, or if you're out of range and a minion is low enough, BladesurgeBladesurge   onto a nearby minion towards your opponent and then use Vanguard's EdgeVanguard's Edge . It's recommended to have at least built up a decent amount of Ionian FervorIonian Fervor stacks before engaging so you can very quickly get full stacks when you go in for the engage, rather than having to build them up from 0.

When your target is inside  Vanguard's EdgeVanguard's Edge , you'll want to save  Flawless DuetFlawless Duet  temporarily rather than using it right away. If your opponent stays inside the blades to avoid getting slowed and taking more damage, you won't need to stun them to DPS them since they'll be waiting for the blades to run out anyway, and then you can stun them afterwards. And if they do walk into the blades, the massive slow will make it much harder for them to potentially dodge the stun. Additionally, should they Flash out of your  Vanguard's EdgeVanguard's Edge , you may still be able to reach them with  Flawless DuetFlawless Duet  if you save it, also allowing you to re-close the gap with  BladesurgeBladesurge .

Irelia

Mid Game

Mid game is usually the point from 10-15 Minutes into the game.

IreliaIrelia is quite strong in the mid game and at this point you have some tank items that allow to you last a bit longer than if you were just at your BOTRK.

You still want to let your team initiate fights or wait until the enemy team initiates on your team. This will allow you to clean up and land your abilities easier.

You can still kill squishies relatively quickly and you will be able to impact the fights greatly. Ideally you can end the game during this period as later in the game you become more of a disruptor than anything.

Irelia

Late Game

This is the point where IreliaIrelia cannot kill squishies as easily and tends to do much less damage in comparison to mid game.

At this stage of the game you should focus on being a front line for your team but not engaging unless your team has 0 engage. It is still better to wait for the enemy team to engage or if you have a AlistarAlistar for example wait for her to engage for you so you can land all of your abilities without issue.

A lot of top lane champs outshine you at this stage of the game but you can still do a lot of damage to the enemy team if you land your spells and get to their backline and distract their squishies.

Comments
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Sadczar
3 years ago
One item I see a lot of irelia's building is Wits end. what's your opinion on this item in her build.
Po3stell3d
3 years ago
It's good for attack speed and MR. But it doesn't have extra AD compared to the PC counterpart. I recommend building it as a 4th or 5th item as a replacement for Spirit Visage.