Matchup

Heavy AD damageSustained DPS

Build vs Aphelios

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Dead Man's Plate
1vs AD
Bandlepipes
2vs Hybride
Locket of the Iron Solari
3HP

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Bloodsong
5HP

Summoner spells

41467%
4733%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

DPS

Liandry's Torment
Mage tank
Lich Bane
Mage

Other options

Bloodsong
HP
Redemption
Shurelya's Battlesong
0.0% WR1 games
DominationDomination
ElectrocuteElectrocute
Cheap ShotCheap Shot
Deep WardDeep Ward
Treasure HunterTreasure Hunter
InspirationInspiration
Magical FootwearMagical Footwear
Jack Of All TradesJack Of All Trades
Attack SpeedMove SpeedHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
BardBard
ApheliosAphelios
Favorable
Favorable
Passive

Aphelios's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

The Hitman and the Seer (P)

Aphelios wields 5 Lunari Weapons made by his sister Alune. He has access to two at a time: one main-hand and one off-hand. Each weapon has a unique Basic Attack and Ability. Attacks and abilities consume a weapon's ammo. When out of ammo, Aphelios discards the weapon and Alune summons the next of the 5.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
39s0.8s0s
69s0.8s0s2m
99s0.8s0s2m
119s0.8s0s1m50
169s0.8s0s1m40
189s0.8s0s1m40

Playing against Aphelios

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Identify his active weapons: Gravitum (purple) = AoE root danger, Infernum (blue) = massive AoE damage with R.

2

Aphelios is immobile with no dash — engages and assassins punish him very easily.

3

He's weaker when transitioning between weapons (Calibrum/Severum remaining) — force fights at that point.

4

Destroy his Crescendum turrets quickly — they deal a lot of area damage if ignored.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026