Matchup

Heavy AD damageHigh sustainSustained DPSDive threat

Build vs Darius

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Blade
Health Potion

Core build

Essence Reaver
1DPS
Navori Flickerblade
2DPS
Infinity Edge
3DPS

Standard

Berserker's Greaves
4AS
Lord Dominik's Regards
5vs Tank

Summoner spells

42160%
4640%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Guardian Angel
5vs AD

Anti Heal

Mortal Reminder
6vs Hybride

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Mercurial Scimitar
5vs AP

Anti Tank

Lord Dominik's Regards
5vs Tank

DPS

Bloodthirster
DPS
100.0% WR1 games
PrecisionPrecision
Lethal TempoLethal Tempo
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Legend: BloodlineLegend: Bloodline
Cut DownCut Down
InspirationInspiration
Triple TonicTriple Tonic
Cash BackCash Back
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
SivirSivir
DariusDarius
Passive
Neutral
Aggressive

Darius's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Hemorrhage (P)

Darius' attacks and damaging abilities cause enemies to bleed for physical damage over 5 seconds, stacking up to 5 times. Darius enrages and gains massive Attack Damage when his target reaches max stacks.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
39s5s26s
67s5s26s2m
95s5s26s2m
115s5s26s1m40
165s5s21s1m20
185s5s16s1m20

Playing against Darius

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Don't take long trades: Darius wins all extended trades thanks to Hemorrhage stacks. Short trade and disengage.

2

Dash toward him (not backward) when he casts Q — the inner circle deals much less damage and he doesn't heal.

3

Buy boots early: his W slows heavily and his only gap-closer is E (short range). Kiting is the key.

4

Respect his level 6: Darius with 5 stacks + R has one of the highest bursts in the game. Don't stay in lane below 50% HP.

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