Blitzcrank vs Brand
Skill matchup
Build vs Brand
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Blitzcrank: Locket of the Iron Solari, Zeke's Convergence, Bandlepipes, Boots of Swiftness, Celestial Opposition, Solstice Sleigh, Frozen Heart, Knight's Vow.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Brand's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Brand's spells light his targets ablaze, dealing damage over 4 seconds, stacking up to 3 times. If Brand kills an enemy while it is ablaze he regains mana. When Blaze reaches max stacks on a Champion or large monster, it becomes unstable. It detonates in 2 seconds, applying spell effects and dealing massive damage in an area around the victim.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8s | 10s | 13s | – |
| 6 | 7s | 10s | 13s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 6s | 9.5s | 13s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 6s | 9s | 13s | 1m30 |
| 16 | 6s | 8s | 11s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 6s | 8s | 9s | 1m20 |
Playing as Blitzcrank
Tips to maximize your impact
- Grab from a clear angle
Fire Rocket Grab (Q) from a brush or a side angle: it grabs the first enemy hit, so you need a line without minions.
- Power Fist right after the grab
After a successful grab, cast Power Fist (E) right away: your next auto knocks the target into the air and deals double damage.
- Sometimes engage without a grab
Sometimes engage without a grab: rush in with Overdrive (W), knock your target into the air with Power Fist (E), and save Rocket Grab (Q) for when they Flash away.
- Bait with your shield
Use Mana Barrier (passive) to bait: at low health you get a shield based on your mana, enough to make a kill look easy.
- Save your grab for their carry
In teamfights, save Rocket Grab (Q) for their carry and wait for them out of vision: grabbing them before the fight starts often decides it.
Playing against Brand
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Dodge his Q while you burn
When you're ablaze, prioritize dodging Sear (Q): it stuns any target that's ablaze.
- Leave his pillar of flame
Leave the Pillar of Flame (W) area as soon as it appears: it lands after a short delay and hits harder if you're ablaze.
- Punish his lack of mobility
If you can engage, go in on him: his kit has no dash and no shield.
- Spread out from your allies
Spread out from your allies in teamfights: Pyroclasm (R) bounces between nearby enemies, and Blaze (passive) explodes around a target at 3 stacks.
Other Blitzcrank matchups
Patch 16.21.1