Draven vs Vel'Koz
Hard matchup
Build vs Vel'Koz
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Draven: Hubris, Hexoptics C44, Infinity Edge, Gluttonous Greaves, Lord Dominik's Regards, The Collector, Bloodthirster, B. F. Sword.
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 Draven
Tips to maximize your impact
- Catch every axe
Catch every Spinning Axe (Q): you ready another one immediately, and you can hold two at once.
- Recast W on each axe
Recast Blood Rush (W) with each axe you catch: each catch resets its cooldown, and the spell gives you move speed and attack speed.
- Cash in your Adoration
Go for the kill when your League of Draven (passive) stacks are high: killing a champion gives you bonus gold based on your Adoration.
- Knock back whoever engages you
Save Stand Aside (E) to push back whoever engages you: the axes knock them aside and slow them.
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 Draven matchups
Patch 16.21.1