Mythic items are a cornerstone of itemization in League of Legends, offering powerful unique effects that define a champion's build path and playstyle. Each Mythic item provides a distinct passive bonus that synergizes with other Legendary items, making the choice of Mythic crucial for maximizing a champion's potential and adapting to game states.
The Role of Mythic Items
Mythic items are designed to be the first major item purchased by most champions. They provide a significant power spike and a unique "Mythic Passive" that grants bonus stats to all other Legendary items you build. This makes the Mythic choice a defining decision for your champion's build.
Categorizing Mythic Items
Mythic items are broadly categorized by their intended role and the stats they provide:
- Tank Mythics: Focus on defensive stats like health, armor, and magic resist, often with abilities that enhance survivability or provide crowd control. Examples include Jak'Sho, The Protean (adaptive resistances) and Heartsteel (scaling health).
- Fighter/Bruiser Mythics: Offer a balance of offensive and defensive stats, with effects that enhance combat effectiveness. Examples include Stridebreaker (movement speed and slow) and Divine Sunderer (percentage health damage).
- Mage Mythics: Prioritize ability power and mana, with effects that boost spell damage, provide utility, or enhance mana regeneration. Examples include Luden's Companion (burst damage and movement speed) and Liandry's Torment (damage over time).
- Marksman Mythics: Focus on attack damage, attack speed, and critical strike chance, with effects that enhance auto-attack damage or provide utility. Examples include Kraken Slayer (true damage proc) and Galeforce (dash active).
- Assassin Mythics: Offer high burst damage and mobility, with effects that amplify assassination potential. Examples include Duskblade of Draktharr (invisibility after takedown) and Youmuu's Ghostblade (active movement speed and lethality).
- Support Mythics: Provide utility, healing, or shielding, with effects that benefit the entire team. Examples include Shurelya's Battlesong (movement speed boost) and Moonstone Renewer (healing and shielding amplification).
Impact on Gameplay
The choice of Mythic item directly influences how you play the game:
- Early Game Pressure: Some Mythics, like Duskblade, offer immediate power that can be used to snowball early leads.
- Team Fight Presence: Items like Shurelya's Battlesong or Stridebreaker can dictate the pace and outcome of team fights through their utility.
- Objective Control: Mythics that enhance damage output or survivability can make contesting objectives like Baron Nashor more feasible.
- Split Pushing: Items that grant dueling power or wave clear, such as Divine Sunderer, can be effective for split-pushing strategies.
Synergy with Legendary Items
The Mythic Passive is what truly ties the system together. For example, building other Legendary items after Luden's Companion grants bonus Ability Power. After Kraken Slayer, you gain bonus Attack Speed. This encourages players to build around their chosen Mythic to maximize its benefits.
Adapting Your Mythic Choice
It's crucial to adapt your Mythic choice based on the game state:
- Enemy Team Composition: If the enemy has a lot of tanks, a Mythic that deals percentage health damage might be ideal. If they have many squishy targets, burst damage Mythics are strong.
- Your Team Composition: If your team lacks engage, a Mythic with a movement speed buff or dash might be necessary.
- Game Flow: If you're behind, a more defensive Mythic might help you survive and scale. If you're ahead, an aggressive Mythic can help you close out the game.
Choosing the right Mythic item is a strategic decision that requires understanding your champion's strengths, the enemy team's weaknesses, and the overall game plan.