Ambessa Medarda is making waves in League of Legends as a fresh, high-risk, high-reward champion with a unique kit. While she’s relatively straightforward to pick up, mastering her requires practice and skill, making her an excellent choice for players who love a challenge.
If you’re a fan of intense, action-packed champions like K’Sante, Ambessa offers a new experience with dynamic play potential and fast-paced gameplay.In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Ambessa: her abilities, laning strategies, build order, essential tips, and tricks to help you dominate with this new champion.
Ambessa’s Abilities
Mastering Ambessa comes down to understanding her kit and how to maximize the value of each ability.
- Passive (Swift Retaliation): After using any ability, Ambessa can dash in the direction of her movement, similar to Kalista’s dash on auto-attacks. Her passive also enhances her attacks with bonus damage, a 75-range increase, and a 50% attack speed boost that stacks up to three times. This passive lets her maintain energy as long as she keeps hitting targets, allowing for continuous cycles of abilities and making her a high-risk, high-reward champion.
- Q (Crescent Strike): Ambessa’s Q is a two-part ability. The first part deals damage in a semicircle, with doubled damage at the edge, much like Darius’ Q. Hitting with the first part allows you to cast Q2, which deals significant damage to the first target in a line.
- W (Steel Guard): This ability lets Ambessa shield herself briefly, then dash, dealing AoE damage around her. If she’s hit while bracing, she’ll counter with bonus damage to her attacker, which can be useful for mitigating tower hits or jungle monsters.
- E (Dark Cyclone): This spin move deals damage and applies a potent 99% slow. If she dashes after using it, the slow applies again, making it very effective for chasing down or zoning enemies.
- R (Unstoppable Surge): Ambessa launches a skill shot that pulls her to the last target hit, dealing damage and crowd control (CC). It works similarly to Yone’s ultimate, allowing her to engage from a distance but only activating if it connects with a target.
Laning Tips for Ambessa
In the laning phase, make the most of Ambessa’s abilities by timing her Q and W for optimal damage. Here are some essential strategies:
- Use Q1 Sparingly: Only cast Q1 when you’re likely to hit an enemy. Missing leaves you without the follow-up Q2, making you vulnerable.
- Poke Smartly: Aim Q1 at enemy minions near the opponent, then dash toward the enemy to use Q2. This allows you to trade effectively without exposing yourself to retaliation.
- Scale Carefully: Ambessa is weaker in the early game but grows powerful as she gains levels and items. Avoid overly aggressive plays early, and focus on scaling for mid to late game.
Advanced Combos and Tips
- Q-R-Q Finisher: This combo is great for executing enemies by starting with Q, using R to close the gap, and following up with a second Q.
- E Slow for Control: Use E to apply a 99% slow, making it easier to hit subsequent abilities or keep enemies within your range.
Recommended Build Order for Ambessa
For Ambessa in the top lane, here’s a strong build path:
- Start: Doran’s Blade and a Health Potion.
- Core Items: Eclipse, Plated Steelcaps, Black Cleaver.
- Final Build: Death’s Dance, Sterak’s Gage, and either Ravenous Hydra or Spear of Shojin.
Recommended Runes for Ambessa
- Primary Rune Tree (Precision): Conqueror, Triumph, Legend: Alacrity, Last Stand.
- Secondary Rune Tree (Resolve): Second Wind, Overgrowth.
- Stat Shards: Adaptive Force, Adaptive Force, Health.
Conclusion
Ambessa Medarda is a thrilling, high-risk champion with rewarding gameplay for those who master her. Her abilities allow her to maintain constant momentum, keeping enemies off balance with relentless dashes and powerful attacks.
With patience and practice, you’ll learn to navigate her unique kit and capitalize on her playstyle, making her a formidable presence on the Rift.
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