The recent changes to the League of Legends item system have made it necessary for players to learn the ins and outs of each champion archetype. But don’t worry, there are plenty of support champions that are viable thanks to the new items. Whether you prefer tanks, AP utility, AP control/burst, or AD playstyles, we’ve got you covered with the best preseason builds for the support role. These builds will help you dominate your games and climb the ranks in season 11.
Tank Support
As a tanky support, your main focus is on providing crowd control for your team and being a durable frontline. For runes, go for the Resolve tree and take the Aftershock keystone rune. This will give you bonus armor and magic resist when you engage onto an enemy champion, making you hard to kill. You can be flexible with your secondary tree, either going for Legend: Tenacity in Precision or Inspiration for Item Haste and Stopwatch.
When it comes to items, the core item is Stirring Wardstone, which allows you to hold up to three control wards for better vision control. Mobility Boots are recommended for quick map movement, but you can opt for Mercury’s Treads if there is a lot of crowd control on the enemy team. Steel Shoulderguards provide additional gold income and can be upgraded to provide stealth wards. Locket of the Iron Solari is a great Mythic item for tanks, providing a shield for you and your allies and giving them bonus armor and magic resist. Knight’s Vow is a good choice to boost one of your teammates, and Zeke’s Convergence is an item that offers increased damage after immobilizing a champion.
AP Utility Support
If you prefer an AP utility-oriented support playstyle, go for Sorcery runes. Summon Aery is the recommended keystone for shielding or damaging effects. Manaflow Band and Transcendence are also important runes for mana and ability haste. The secondary tree can be Inspiration for Biscuit Delivery and Cosmic Insight for sustain and item haste.
For items, Moonstone Renewer and Stirring Wardstone are essential for sustain and ability haste. Ionian Boots of Lucidity provide additional ability haste. Relic Shield can be a good starting item for utility supports, and Ardent’s Censer is a core item for its attack speed and on-hit damage. Mikael’s Blessing is great for cleanses and small heals, and Morellonomicon is useful for anti-healing against champions with healing abilities.
AP Control/Burst Support
If you prefer an AP control or burst playstyle, Sorcery runes are your best bet. Take Arcane Comet as the keystone for poking and zoning enemies. Domination or Inspiration can be chosen as the secondary tree for additional ability power or item haste.
When it comes to items, Spectral Sickle is a good starting item for poking damage. Liandry’s Anguish is the recommended Mythic item for its maximum health percent damage. Demonic Embrace can be a great addition for battlemages, and Morellonomicon is useful for anti-healing. Stirring Wardstone is a must-have for vision control in the late game.
AD Support
AD champions can also be played in the support role. For AD supports like Pantheon, Pyke, and Senna, Precision and Domination runes are recommended. Press the Attack is the keystone for early damage, and Domination secondary tree can provide additional damage and movement speed.
For items, Boots of Mobility are great for swift movement and ganking. Spectral Sickle is a good starting item for AD supports. Eclipse is the recommended Mythic item for its maximum health percent damage. Umbral Glaive is a strong item for nullifying vision, and Stirring Wardstone is necessary for vision control.
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