The Most High Guide to Brand

High Hemplar's guide to stomping mid with Brand (UPDATED 4/1/12)

INTRO:
A bit about my Brand experience:

I main AP Carries, have over 100+ wins (950+) over losses in normal, sucking at ranked now (cuz diglett wont carry me). I think I have over 100 games solo mid with Brand now, and I've only ever 'lost' my lane once or twice. Brand is ridiculous in mid and should never be outlaned (well...only a good cass, kennen or kassadin should be trouble).

RUNES:

x9 Magic Pen Marks - Best in slot for AP champions
x9 Flat AP Seals - AP for early game pwnage/lane winning / x9 Flat Mana Regen Seals - For solo q when u may not get blue
x9 Scaling AP Glyphs - Moar AP
x2 Movespeed Quintessences - I stray from the common 3 AP Quints because I think movespeed scales better through all phases of the game
x1 AP Quintessence - Moar AP plz

SKILLING

R > W > Q > E
Get ult Whenever its up
Max W first
and Q second
Get 1 in E early for spell combo otherwise level last

reasoning behind this is...apart from your ult...W is your big damage spell and should be maxed first...Q is your next biggest damage spell so max 2nd...you get 1 in E early for the sweet combos...but just 1 cuz Q outdamages E

MASTERIES / SUMMONER SPELLS (UPDATED)

21/0/9 - New AP Caster Standard IMO
Flash/Ignite - for escapes and lane pwning

BUILD

1. Start with Boots + 3 x health pots - boots for dodging skillshots, pots for sustain / I sometimes start dorans ring against Sion and Morgana (to totally zone them early)
2. Get in 2-3 Dorans Ring for damage,health, and mana regen
3. Deathcap - Essential caster item, try to get the needlessly large rod first / fit in sorc boots somewhere here
4. Will of the Ancients
5. Void Staff (earlier if they stack MR)
6. Rylais or defensive item

COMBOS

E + Q = quick damage plus stun which generally leads into W
E + W = quick crazy damage usually used in laning
E + Q + W + R + F(ignite) = someone DIES...simple
W + Q = when they are too far for E and u need to stun (generally when chasing)
R + W + E = general teamfight combo

EARLY GAME

Some things to keep in mind when laning with Brand:

• you own the lane...let the enemy know this...harass when they come in to last hit
• you own the lane...most enemies cant trade with you...dont be afraid to trade hits
• in case i didnt say it before...you own the lane...you should be outfarming/outharassing the enemy
• with all that in mind...watch out for jungle ganks
• with all that lane owning...spread the wealth...go gank some sidelanes and do battle with the dragon

MID GAME

• roam and pwn (see combos)
• secure dragon...always hog blue/enemy blue buffs
• push those towers

LATE GAME

• stick with your team...rambo mode is off
• always try and hit the squishes in the back with your combos...you cant 2-hit tanks again
• remember...if you are doing well...force some fights
• just be there for teamfights and things should go fine

+Rep for great Hempness

Oh, and because of the combo section. And because you posted a guide.

I heard you like AP, bro.

GOOD GOOD, FOR JAMACIAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pretty the same thing i do, brofist hemp!

You should post in the thread when you update the guide