Overview
A staple in pro play for over ten years now, Azir is a champion with a long and storied history both in his game lore and in his esports lore. He has one of the strongest kits for dealing safe damage in fights in the game, and his ultimate gives him the ability to make game changing plays. Click here for the latest data on his best builds, including Runes, Items, Summoner Spells, and more.
Keys to Remember About Azir
He's been a pro play mainstay for years because of his consistent damage output throughout the game, which means you do not have to shuffle behind them for a big play with your ultimate, no matter what your lizard brain tells you. That said, in situations where someone needs to make something happen in order for you to win, it might as well be you.
Stay in lane when your passive up is going to be key for your team -- playing around Shurima's Legacy [P] can give your team control over space either as a good fallback zone or to prevent enemies from pushing forward.
Strengths
He’s one of the most consistent damage sources when it comes to mid lane mages thanks to his sand soldiers, which means he’s great at neutral objectives and in long extended fights. These soldiers also double up as good means of controlling space, which is amplified by both his Shurima’s Legacy [P] which can put up a turret at the remains of a destroyed one. His Emperor’s Divide also creates new terrain which can split enemies up from each other. He’s ultimate very good at creating and controlling space for your team while dishing out consistent damage throughout the process.
Weaknesses
The reality is he’s not a particularly easy champion to learn -- this is something that’s apparent even in pro play, where the quality of Azir play can vary greatly from one mid laner to the next. Between being able to use Shifting Sands [E] to dash to the soldiers and Conquering Sands [Q] being able to reposition them, you have a lot of potential mobility. This means you can make some really good plays with your ultimate to push enemies back into your team, but it also means you can just deliver yourself to death’s door.
Game Plan
Early Game: Focus on farming with your soldiers -- enemies who aren’t ready for you can also take damage from the soldiers if they position poorly.
Mid Game: You have good wave clear and should maintain priority in whichever lane you are going to. In fights, you can look to sweep enemy carries back to you, but don’t funnel on it as you can also use your ultimate to prevent their front line from jumping on you.
Late Game: Azir scales well into late game and can be the primary for your team at this point in the game. He’s good in fights and good at objectives, and he also brings utility and playmaking to the team. In the hands of a good player, you will have all the tools you need to go win a game.
