Matchup

Heavy AD damageSustained DPS

Build vs Aphelios

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Mosstomper Seedling
Health Potion

Core build

Hextech Rocketbelt
1Mage tank
Sunfire Aegis
2vs AD
Spirit Visage
3vs AP

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Thornmail
5vs Hybride

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Thornmail
5vs Hybride
Randuin's Omen
vs AD
Unending Despair
vs AD

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Jak'Sho, The Protean
5vs Hybride

Other options

Protoplasm Harness
Survival

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

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