Matchup

Heavy AD damageSustained DPS

Build vs Aphelios

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Ardent Censer
1
Moonstone Renewer
2HP
Redemption
3

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Dream Maker
5HP

Summoner spells

47100%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Jak'Sho, The Protean
5vs Hybride

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Dream Maker
HP
Locket of the Iron Solari
HP
Shurelya's Battlesong
Echoes of Helia
HP
SorcerySorcery
Summon AerySummon Aery
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
InspirationInspiration
Biscuit DeliveryBiscuit Delivery
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
LuluLulu
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