Matchup

Heavy AD damageSustained DPS

Build vs Aphelios

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Blade
Health Potion

Core build

Experimental Hexplate
1Bruiser
Dusk and Dawn
2Mage tank
Riftmaker
3Mage tank

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Nashor's Tooth
5DPS

Summoner spells

3446%
42146%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Zhonya's Hourglass
5vs AD
Guardian Angel
vs AD

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Shadowflame
5vs Tank

DPS

Nashor's Tooth
DPS
Statikk Shiv
DPS
Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage

Other options

Guinsoo's Rageblade
100.0% WR2 games
PrecisionPrecision
Press the AttackPress the Attack
TriumphTriumph
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
Last StandLast Stand
ResolveResolve
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Bone PlatingBone Plating
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
VarusVarus
ApheliosAphelios
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral

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