Aatrox, the Darkin Blade, revealed
By Tyler 'RiotWenceslaus' Eltringham [2]
Aatrox, the Darkin Blade emerges from the shadows of history to 
slake his thirst for blood and battle. This deft warrior 
cuts down his foes and 
drains their life force with his blade. Aatrox's abilities cost health to cast.
- Blood Well
Aatrox stores a portion of his abilities’ health cost in the Blood Well, which slowly drains to a base amount while he is out of combat. When Aatrox loses all of his health, he draws on the Blood Well and recovers the amount of health stored.
- Dark Flight
Aatrox rises into the air and slams into a target location. Enemies within the impact zone are Template:Cctip and take damage, while nearby enemies take damage.
- Blood Thirst
Aatrox heals himself on every third attack. Activating Blood Thirst toggles Blood Price.
- Blood Price: Every third attack now deals bonus damage instead of healing Aatrox. Aatrox loses health based on the bonus damage dealt.
- Blades of Torment
Aatrox fires a line attack that damages and Template:Cctip enemies caught in its path. Aatrox is refunded a part of the health cost if Blades of Torment strikes an enemy champion.
- Massacre
Upon activation, Aatrox instantly damages enemies in an area around him. For the duration of Massacre, Aatrox gains bonus attack speed and range. Massacre has no health cost.
Aatrox is a basic attack dependent melee champion who excels as a duelist and team fighter. His built-in sustain and 
escape mechanics make him an ideal fit for top lane.
- Top-lane
The sustain from Blood Thirst keeps Aatrox’s health topped off, allowing him to farm throughout the laning phase. Aatrox excels as a duelist, able to switch to Blood Price for heavy burst damage when trading with his lane opponent. After the exchange, Aatrox can toggle back to Blood Thirst to top off his health. When he’s ready to finish the job, 
Massacre adds significantly to an already potent burst combo.
If the lane isn’t going Aatrox’s way, the knock-up effect from Dark Flight can be used to set up ganks for his jungler. Or, if Aatrox has bullied his enemy out of lane, he can push aggressively, safe in the knowledge that the disengage from Dark Flight and 
Blades of Torment’s slow will aid his escape when enemies come charging. Even when things go totally wrong, Blood Well offers a second chance to secure kills or make a quick exit.
- Team fights
Aatrox’s mobility gives him an innate ability to pressure enemy carries in team fights. Blood Thirst grants Aatrox plenty of sustain as he tangos with enemy initiators and tanks. When he sees an opportunity to reach an enemy carry, Dark Flight closes the gap and allows the punishment to begin. When Aatrox is in deep, the area of effect burst and extra range from Massacre, and slow on Blades of Torment prevent high-value targets from escaping. All the while the consistent healing from Blood Thirst and resurrection effect from Blood Well keep him alive long enough to cut through enemy squishies.
If Aatrox’s team is on the defensive, a well-aimed Blades of Torment can slow multiple enemies and open a window for retreating allies to slip away. Alternately, he can kite enemies with Dark Flight, and create an opportunity for the remainder of his team to turn and counter-initiate. If Aatrox is focused, Blood Thirst’s sustain and the Blood Well keep him in the fight, giving his teammates an opportunity to cut through foes as he resurrects and delivers the killing blow.
Media
| Aatrox's Theme |
