Sylas’s basic stats may not be high, but the reason he often appears against AP mage champions is simple.
In LOL, among all champions, Sylas boasts the highest magic resistance growth and, with over 150 champions, he ranks fourth in growth health points.
During the mid-game when full items aren’t yet assembled, this allows him to endure the damage of mage champions just by tanking it.
With such high growth potential, what if Sylas, with the rune setup enhancing his preemptive attack, further boosts his mid-late game potential?
“Is taking both preemptive runes and excessive growth too arrogant?”
I momentarily thought so but quickly dismissed it.
Arrogance?
Arrogance is selecting a 3AP combination despite knowing that Shin Saengnim only ever plays a tank top lane.
It was clearly a pick meant to disrespect us.
“What’s the plan for bottom lane?”
“Seems like the enemy won’t engage. We should think about picking them off as they walk.”
“Then we divide forces?”
“I’ll take care of top lane myself.”
“Feel free to give up the tower, but we should drag out the top-lane fight. It’s better to fight when Sylas and I reach level six.”
The briefing started as soon as the game began.
“The enemy has placed a ward here.”
“Did we take bottom bush?”
“Gwen has been spotted near here.”
“Please keep the bottom lane away from the outer turret.”
As time passed and minions of both teams reached their lines, the laning phase began.
As expected, the opposing mid laner started pressuring me early, taking advantage of the range difference.
Even more, they were using the rune “Hail of Blades.”
Despite lacking in one-shot burst damage, this rune was helpful for consistent early game control.
I endured this for a few minutes without significant conflict near mid-lane, precisely where our team followed the plan and retreated exactly when planned.
‘This game requires Mercury’s Treads.’
Given the opponent’s 3AP setup with plenty of crowd control, these boots, which reduce magic resistance and crowd control duration, were essential.
After purchasing the boots and using teleport to return to the mid-lane,
“I knew it.”
The enemy Arin had come back with a tome of mana management and early game assistance, not the item that reduces healing.
I understood the logic.
Given my choice of runes—focusing on preemptive attacks—and maxing my Q skill to level three, it was judged that the healing reduction item wasn’t necessary.
“I’ll take mid fight.”
However, skill and build choices must always be fluid.
At level nine, when we would usually master one skill,
Sylas’s skills were Q at level three and W at level four.
[Shall we see your abilities?]
At the point where the enemy Arin had used all their skills for early harass in front of the tower,
I used my ultimate to steal theirs and burst forward.
The enemy tried to escape using their ultimate as well, but Arin’s only mobility skill was that ultimate.
Using Sylas’s W and E, I could close the distance up to three times.
‘Arin’s Charm cooldown is a fixed 12 seconds, plus rune and item cooldown reduction, so about 10 seconds.’
As the charm cooldown was about to reset, I faked toward the enemy turret with my remaining ultimate.
The enemy Arin, thinking it was an opportunity, threw the charm, only to naturally miss.
[Enemy eliminated]
Killed by my Q skill on cooldown.
“Wow! A solo kill!”
“After almost ten minutes of holding near the tower, this single opening turned into a kill!”
“Many viewers might be wondering: why no healing reduction against Sylas? But by observing Sylas’s skill tree, it becomes understandable.”
“Indeed, the observer is showing exactly that. You can see three maxed Q skills before he started leveling W.”
“Correct. When the opponent sees a poking Q-focused Sylas, many neglect increasing healing reduction.”
“Then, could it be that the player intentionally absorbed damage until the ten-minute mark?”
“Yes, there hasn’t been much damage exchange after level 6. Apparently, it could be deduced from the damage and healing of the W skill.”
“What an incredible player, truly. It’s not only about good physical stats.”
[So skilled I respect this]
[Wa!]
[Fact: If you don’t buy healing reduction, Sylas becomes a god…]
[Kya!]
[Yes, yes, who said there’d be a difference?]
[Daeseoha! Daeseoha! Daeseoha! Daeseoha!]
“Viewers, here’s a good piece of news. We mentioned that this tournament is in conjunction with the LCK.”
“Therefore, I am joined by caster Kim Dongjin, and we’re doing commentary. Our observers and camera directors are also present.”
“Thanks to this, players’ personal screens can be seen during finals.”
[?????]
[Is something big coming?]
[Individual screen of a current middle schooler??]
[Clip collection ready!]
[If Riot is fat, thumbs down]
[Alright]
[Riot should be called Riot Korea, right?]
[Alright]
“Let’s watch the personal screen of the solo kill we just had!”
[Checking mid fight now.]
[Seems jungle was on top. Bottom’s both visible, I’ll dive.]
[Got them! Mid advantage now, aim for objectives.]
“Constantly, calculated play leads to results, isn’t that how veterans play?”
“What a remarkable player. Restrained, yet capable when needed — this is what defines an S-tier player.”
[Skill techniques are on point]
[Does her face not take up the whole screen?]
[Sleeve fluttering is adorable]
[Where can we purchase that uniform?]
[Saw her in skill broadcasts always; the gameplay is actually tasty.]
[If solo queue ranking top doesn’t justify skill broadcasts, then what does?]
“Still, while talented in arts and athletics, it’s too early to relax.”
“True. Mid just managed to claim dominance, but top and jungle lanes are collapsing.”
“Considering the skills gap and champion choices, the defending side could be said to be doing well, but breaking this balance isn’t ideal.”
“We’ll see how the game develops and stabilizes.”
“Watch the game.”
“Will we fight for this dragon?”
The game was nearing 25 minutes since it had started.
Fortunately, bottom lane’s early wins meant that the dragon tempo wasn’t overwhelmingly fast.
Currently, the opponents had two dragons, our team one.
“In this case, giving away one dragon out of three might not matter much.”
In League of Legends, getting dragons was desirable for the permanent buffs they provided, but the ultimate goal was completing the dragon soul after taking the fourth dragon.
Dragon soul, regardless of type, gave an immensely powerful, permanent buff after slaying four dragons.
This was a significant boost capable of shifting the game’s momentum, so collecting four dragons was quite meaningful.
“Alternatively, it means giving away up to three dragons is fine.”
If we let the opponents take three dragons, the next dragon spawn inevitably forced a battle.
However, if we could win by the fourth dragon, conceding three could be strategically viable.
“So, what will everyone do?”
With decision time looming, Pressure asked the teammates.
“If we clear the top lane now, Gwen might just rampage down the high, but if we play carefully, retreat and use teleports, the fight might not be bad.”
“I think we should fight before Direct Sun completes his gear.”
“I also think using W now won’t let the lane collapse completely, right?”
“Me too, I believe I can hit Arin or Mao’s ultimate, so we might fight well.”
Most of us, including me, leaned toward the idea that fighting wouldn’t be detrimental.
Although Oryun was outgrown by Gwen, they possessed sufficient magical defense.
With Sylas also growing well, it was time to initiate some fights.
…
…
…
“We must start before Arin or Direct Sun poke too much!”
“Destroy Biwago first at all costs!”
“Should we use ultimates?”
Whoosh!
Amidst skill trades near the dragon nest, the field was abruptly filled with a trumpet’s sound.
Boom!
Shin Saengnim’s finish using ultimate and flash marked the start of the battle, and everyone unleashed their skills without hesitation.
In the chaos, my role was …
“Biwago eliminated. Direct Sun first! Behind, Gwen’s teleport falling!”
It was to use Arin’s ultimate to disrupt the enemy line.
“Can Leona snare Gwen? Just catch her briefly!”
“But Gwen has a 3-core build!”
“I have flash, so let me do the damage!”
While we caught Biwago with crowd control and continued chasing Direct Sun despite his escape with flash and W,
Arin-ultimate wielding Sylas ensured there was no escape, and Direct Sun eventually fell to his demise near the jungle monster spawn site.
As a result,
[Game set!]
The winner of the first match was decided.
