How to azir

Overview

Azir, the Emperor of the Sands, is a complex mage champion in the popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game, League of Legends. He is known for his unique playstyle that revolves around summoning and commanding Sand Soldiers to attack enemies from a distance. Unlike many other mages who rely on direct spellcasting, Azir's damage output and control are intrinsically linked to the placement and movement of his Sand Soldiers. This makes him a high-risk, high-reward champion, demanding significant mechanical skill and strategic understanding to play effectively.

Abilities and Mechanics

Azir's kit is designed around his passive and three basic abilities, culminating in a game-changing ultimate.

Passive: Shifting Sands

Azir gains bonus attack speed over time, which decays after not attacking for a period. This passive encourages consistent engagement and rewards players who can maintain pressure.

Q: Conquering Sands

Azir commands all of his active Sand Soldiers to dash forward in a line, dealing damage to enemies they pass through and slowing them. This ability is crucial for wave clear, trading damage in lane, and setting up engages. It also serves as a primary tool for repositioning his soldiers.

W: Arise!

Azir summons a Sand Soldier at a target location for a limited duration. If an enemy is within range of the Sand Soldier, Azir's next attack will command the Sand Soldier to dash forward and strike, dealing damage in a line. This is Azir's core damage-dealing ability. The more Sand Soldiers Azir has active, the more damage he can output simultaneously.

E: Shifting Sands

Azir gains a shield and dashes in a target direction. If he collides with an enemy champion during the dash, he will stop and gain a Sand Soldier. This ability is primarily used for mobility, escaping danger, or initiating combat. When combined with his Q, it allows for the "Azir Shuffle," a signature move where Azir dashes in one direction while using his Q to reposition his soldiers behind an enemy, often knocking them up and engaging his team.

R: Emperor's Divide

Azir creates a large wall of sand soldiers that charge forward, knocking back and stunning enemies they hit. The wall persists for a short duration, acting as a formidable barrier that can block enemy movement and protect his team. This ultimate is incredibly powerful for setting up teamfights, isolating key targets, or peeling for his carries.

Gameplay Strategy

Playing Azir effectively involves mastering several key aspects:

Laning Phase

In the early game, Azir focuses on farming safely and using his Sand Soldiers to poke and pressure the enemy laner. His Q provides wave clear, allowing him to manage minion waves and prevent the enemy from freezing the lane. Trading involves using W to summon a soldier, attacking through it, and then using Q to reposition the soldier and potentially land a second hit or a slow. Be mindful of mana costs and cooldowns.

Mid to Late Game

As the game progresses, Azir's damage output scales significantly. His role shifts to being a primary damage dealer and control mage for his team. Positioning is paramount. Azir is relatively squishy and vulnerable to assassins and divers. He needs to stay behind his front line, using his Sand Soldiers to attack from a safe distance.

Teamfights

Teamfights are where Azir can truly shine, but also where he is most vulnerable. His Emperor's Divide (R) can single-handedly win a fight by isolating enemy carries or creating a safe zone for his team. The Azir Shuffle (E + Q) is essential for initiating fights or disrupting enemy formations. Mastering this combo allows Azir to engage from unexpected angles and create chaos. Always be aware of your positioning relative to your soldiers and the enemy team. Using your E to dash away from danger while simultaneously using Q to reposition your soldiers can be a life-saving maneuver.

Tips and Tricks

• The Azir Shuffle: This is the most iconic Azir combo. It involves using E to dash, and then quickly using Q to reposition your soldiers behind the target, knocking them up. Practice this extensively in practice tool.
• Soldier Placement: Learn to place your W soldiers strategically to maximize damage and control. Placing them just outside of turret range can help you pressure without taking turret aggro.
• Ultimate Usage: Your R can be used offensively to engage or defensively to peel. Don't be afraid to use it to block off escape routes or to create space for your team.
• Mana Management: Azir can be quite mana-hungry, especially in the early game. Prioritize mana regeneration items and be mindful of your spell usage.
• Attack-Move: Because Azir's damage is tied to his auto-attacks through his soldiers, mastering attack-moving (A-moving) is crucial for fluidly kiting and repositioning while attacking.

Build and Runes

Azir typically builds items that provide Ability Power, Attack Speed, and mana. Common core items include Nashor's Tooth, Luden's Tempest, and Zhonya's Hourglass. His rune choices often focus on maximizing damage through runes like Conqueror or Lethal Tempo, with secondary runes providing utility or survivability.

Mastering Azir is a journey that requires dedication and practice. His unique mechanics offer a rewarding experience for those willing to put in the effort.