Brand vs Vel'Koz
Hard matchup
Build vs Vel'Koz
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Brand: Blackfire Torch, Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Liandry's Torment, Sorcerer's Shoes, Oblivion Orb, Zhonya's Hourglass, Dark Seal, Shadowflame.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Vel'Koz's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Vel'Koz's abilities apply Organic Deconstruction to enemies on hit. If 3 stacks are accumulated, the enemy will take a burst of true damage.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 1.5s | 12s | – |
| 6 | 7s | 1.5s | 12s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 7s | 1.5s | 12s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 7s | 1.5s | 12s | 1m30 |
| 16 | 7s | 1.5s | 11s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 7s | 1.5s | 10s | 1m20 |
Playing as Brand
Tips to maximize your impact
- Three spells for the explosion
Hit the same target with three spells: at 3 stacks, Blaze (passive) becomes unstable and detonates 2 seconds later, dealing heavy damage around it.
- Set them ablaze before the stun
Start with Conflagration (E), then Sear (Q) to stun the target while they're ablaze, and finish with Pillar of Flame (W), which deals 25% more damage to them.
- Spread the fire from minions
Cast Conflagration (E) on a minion that's ablaze near your opponent: when the target is ablaze, the spread range doubles and reaches them.
- Save your R for a group
Cast Pyroclasm (R) when several enemies are close: the torrent bounces up to 5 times, first to champions that are ablaze but not yet at 3 stacks.
Playing against Vel'Koz
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Watch both branches of his plasma
Get out of the line of Plasma Fission (Q) and watch its sides too: the bolt splits into two branches at 90 degrees when it hits a target or he recasts it.
- Back off before the third stack
Back off after taking two of his spells: at the third Organic Deconstruction (passive) stack, you take a burst of true damage.
- Engage after Tectonic Disruption
If you can engage, go in after Tectonic Disruption (E): it's his only spell to push back someone charging him, and he has no dash to escape.
- Interrupt his ray
If you have a stun, a silence or a knock-up, save it for Life Form Disintegration Ray (R): any of them interrupts the ray.
Other Brand matchups
Patch 16.21.1