Leona has always been known as a tanky support champion in League of Legends, surprising many with her unexpectedly high damage output despite her primary role as a frontline engager.
But what if we took a different approach? With Leona’s impressive damage potential, especially in her initial combo, why not embrace a burst-damage build to maximize her kill pressure? Today, we’ll explore an exciting Assassin Leona build featuring Eclipse to bring a fresh twist to her playstyle.
Why Assassin Leona Works
Leona’s kit inherently deals significant damage. By building full lethality, you can amplify her ability to one-shot squishier opponents before they have time to react. This build focuses on turning her already potent damage into a weapon of destruction in team fights and skirmishes.
Rune Setup
Primary Tree: Precision
- Press the Attack
- Triumph
- Legend: Alacrity
- Coup de Grace
Secondary Tree: Resolve
- Shield Bash
- Bone Plating
Core Items
- Eclipse: The centerpiece of this build. She can quickly proc its passive with her auto-Q-auto combo, granting bonus damage, a shield, and movement speed—perfect for engaging and surviving fights.
- Bloodthirster: Her Q resets her auto-attack timer, letting her benefit significantly from the lifesteal and damage boost provided by this item.
- Fimbulwinter: Provides health, mana, and a shield while synergizing with her tankiness and extended fights. This item also activates the Legendary rune effects.
Playstyle
The playstyle for Assassin Leona doesn’t deviate much from traditional Leona, but her damage spikes are significantly more impactful.
- Engage Smartly: Use E (Zenith Blade) to gap close, followed by Q (Shield of Daybreak) and auto-attacks to maximize your burst.
- Leverage Eclipse: The shield and damage from Eclipse allow Leona to duel effectively while maintaining decent survivability.
- Abuse Your Passive (Sunlight): Coordinate with allies to ensure they proc Sunlight on enemies for additional damage.
Conclusion
While Assassin Leona with Eclipse may sound unconventional, her high base damage makes it not only viable but incredibly fun to play. This build elevates her burst damage potential to surprising levels while still retaining some survivability through her innate tankiness and item effects.
Remember, though, this is a niche playstyle that depends heavily on your team composition and the game’s flow. Ensure your team has another tank or bruiser to avoid being labeled a “troll” for trying out this innovative approach!
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