The Resolve rune tree in League of Legends is designed for champions who excel at durability, sustain, and controlling fights through defensive capabilities. It offers keystone runes and minor runes that enhance survivability, provide crowd control amplification, and offer unique defensive benefits, making it a popular choice for tanks, bruisers, and supportive champions.
Keystone Runes in the Resolve Tree
The Resolve tree features three powerful keystone runes, each offering a distinct advantage:
- Grasp of the Undying: This keystone is ideal for champions who engage in frequent short trades in lane or during skirmishes. When you hit an enemy champion with a basic attack or ability, you will deal bonus magic damage based on your maximum health, heal yourself for a portion of that damage, and permanently gain a small amount of maximum health. This rune excels on champions who can consistently proc it, such as Darius, Garen, and Mordekaiser. It provides sustain and scaling health, making you a more formidable threat over time.
- Aftershock: Aftershock is designed for champions who initiate fights with crowd control. When you immobilize an enemy champion with a crowd control ability, you gain a burst of bonus Armor and Magic Resist for a short duration, and the next attack or ability you deal to that enemy champion deals bonus damage based on your bonus resistances. This keystone is perfect for engage tanks like Malphite, Leona, and Rakan, as it enhances their survivability after they commit to a fight and amplifies their damage output on the primary target.
- Guardian: Guardian is a keystone primarily used by support champions who want to protect their allies. When you or an ally takes damage that would reduce them below a certain health threshold, you will both gain a shield. The shield's strength scales with your bonus health and level. This rune is excellent for enchanters and peel supports like Janna, Lulu, and Soraka, as it provides an immediate defensive buffer for their most vulnerable teammates, often saving them from lethal burst damage.
Minor Runes in the Resolve Tree
In addition to the keystone, the Resolve tree offers several minor runes that further enhance a champion's defensive capabilities:
- Demolish: Grants bonus damage to turrets. This is particularly useful for champions who want to push lanes and take objectives quickly, such as Yorick or Nasus.
- Second Wind: After taking damage from an enemy champion, you regenerate health over time. This rune provides excellent sustain in lane, especially against poke-heavy champions.
- Bone Plating: After taking damage from an enemy champion, the next three enemy abilities or attacks against you deal reduced damage. This rune is effective against champions with burst damage or rapid attack sequences.
- Overgrowth: Gain permanent maximum health as minions and monsters die nearby. This rune provides scaling health, similar to Grasp of the Undying, making you more durable in the late game.
- Unflinching: Gain bonus Tenacity and slow resistance based on your missing health. This rune is invaluable against teams with heavy crowd control, allowing you to escape or continue fighting more effectively when low on health.
- Font of Life: When you immobilize an enemy champion, they are marked. Allies who attack marked enemies restore health. This rune synergizes well with champions who have reliable crowd control and are played in a supportive role.
Synergies and Playstyles
The Resolve tree is often paired with other rune trees, such as Inspiration for utility or Domination for more aggressive options. Champions who choose Resolve typically aim to be durable frontliners, engage specialists, or reliable protectors for their team. Understanding which keystone and minor runes best suit your champion's kit and your intended playstyle is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness in game.