Ornn is a unique tank champion in League of Legends who possesses a special passive ability that allows him to upgrade his allies' Mythic items and certain Legendary items into enhanced versions. This passive, known as "Living Forge," provides significant late-game power spikes and adds a unique layer of strategic itemization to games where Ornn is present.
Ornn's Living Forge Passive
Ornn's passive, Living Forge, has two main components:
- Masterwork Items: Ornn can forge Masterwork versions of certain Mythic items for himself and his allies. These Masterwork items provide enhanced stats and improved passive effects compared to their base versions.
- Item Upgrades: Ornn can also forge Masterwork versions of specific Legendary items for himself and his allies. These upgrades are often tied to items that are core to many builds.
How Ornn Item Upgrades Work
Ornn can only upgrade items when he is near a shop or when he has the "Living Forge" ability available. He does not need to purchase the base item again to upgrade it; the upgrade is a separate action that consumes gold.
- Unlocking Upgrades: Ornn unlocks the ability to upgrade specific items as he levels up. For example, he might unlock the ability to upgrade his first Mythic item at level 13, and then unlock upgrades for other items as he gains further levels.
- Ally Requests: Allies can ping their Mythic or eligible Legendary item to request an upgrade from Ornn. Ornn can then choose to forge it for them if he has the necessary level and gold.
- Cost: Each Masterwork item upgrade costs a specific amount of gold, which is typically less than the cost of purchasing the base item and a separate Legendary item.
Notable Ornn Masterwork Items
Some of the most impactful Ornn upgrades include:
- Masterwork Mythic Items: These provide significantly boosted stats and enhanced passive effects. For example, a Masterwork Jak'Sho, The Protean might offer more resistances or a stronger stacking effect.
- Masterwork Legendary Items: Items like Sterak's Gage, Black Cleaver, and Titanic Hydra can be upgraded by Ornn, offering substantial stat increases and improved passive effects that can drastically alter a champion's power in the late game.
Strategic Implications of Ornn
Ornn's presence on a team significantly impacts itemization strategy:
- Late-Game Power Spike: Ornn's upgrades provide a powerful late-game boost to his entire team, allowing them to contest objectives and team fights more effectively.
- Reduced Need for Certain Items: Because Ornn can upgrade items, his allies might not need to prioritize certain items solely for their stats, freeing up build paths for more utility or specialized items.
- Team Coordination: Effective use of Ornn's passive requires good communication between Ornn and his allies to ensure the right items are upgraded at the optimal time.
Ornn's Living Forge passive makes him a valuable asset to any team, especially in longer games where his upgrades can provide a decisive advantage. Understanding which items Ornn can upgrade and coordinating with him is key to maximizing his impact.