APHELIOS

THE WEAPON OF THE FAITHFUL

Classical splash art of Aphelios

Icon of Aphelios

Aphelios in game PNG - league of legends

Informations about the champion Aphelios:

Title: The Weapon of the Faithful

Pronouns: He/Him

Release Date: December 11, 2019

Attribute: Marksman

Role: AD carry

Region: Targon.

LORE OF APHELIOS

The moon looms over the towering slopes of Mount Targon, distant, yet impossibly close.

Born during a rare lunar convergence, when the physical moon was eclipsed by its reflection in the spirit realm, Aphelios and his twin sister, Alune, were celebrated as children of destiny by those of Targon’s Lunari faith.

Mirroring the celestial event that heralded their birth, the two children knew they had been marked by fate—Aphelios physically gifted like the moon of stone, and Alune magically like its spiritual reflection. Zealously devout, they grew up within a faith of mystery, reflection, and discovery, and embraced darkness not just out of belief, but as the only thing that could keep them safe.

The Solari who ruled Targon considered the Lunari heretics, driving them into hiding until most forgot the Lunari even existed. The Lunari were left to the shadows, dwelling in temples and caves far from the Solaris’ sight.

The pressure to be exemplary weighed heavily upon Aphelios. He practiced tirelessly with mystical moonstone blades, spilling his own blood in training so he could spill that of others to protect the faith. Intense and vulnerable, he bonded deeply with his sister in lieu of any other friendships.

While Aphelios was sent on increasingly dangerous missions to protect the Lunari, Alune trained separately as a seer, using her luminous magic to reveal hidden pathways and truths by the moon’s light. In time, her tasks required her to leave the temple where they were raised.

Without Alune, Aphelios’ faith wavered.

Desperate for purpose, he undertook a ceremonial journey into darkness where Lunari were said to discover their paths—their orbits. He followed the moon’s light to a pool where rare noctum flowers bloomed beneath the water’s surface. Though poisonous, the flowers could be distilled into a liquid that opened him to the night’s power.

Drinking the noctum’s essence, Aphelios felt so much pain that it numbed him to everything else.

Soon after, an ancient temple, the Marus Omegnum, began to come into phase from the spirit realm for the first time in centuries. Lunari from across the mountain gathered, emerging from hiding to witness the balance of power shift as celestial cycles in the heavens turned.

The fortress accepted only one occupant, gifted in magic, each time it appeared. This time it would be Alune, her orbit guiding her to the temple. Aphelios, usually asking for nothing, requested to attend the event.

But as the fortress passed through the veil in a luminous display of magic, a harsher radiance filled the night. Somehow, the Lunari had been discovered even as the celestial cycles turned in their favor.

An army of Solari descended upon them.

All seemed lost, the Solari purging the Lunari heresy with fire and steel. Even Aphelios was beaten, his moonstone blades shattered on the ground, blood spilling from his lips as he reached for the noctum…

But as the battle raged, Alune traveled deeper into the temple—and when she reached its heart, her full potential unlocked. Through the noctum, Aphelios could feel Alune’s power embrace him… and he could hear her voice. With a whisper, she pushed magic into his hands—a replacement for his blades solidifying into moonstone.

Like the moon of stone and its spiritual reflection, Aphelios’s skill and Alune’s magic converged.

Those Solari would not live to see the sun again.

As her power flared, Alune pushed the temple, and herself within, back into the spirit realm where it would remain safe from the Solari. From inside, amplified by the temple’s focusing power, Alune was able to project her magic anywhere, so long as it found a focus—like the poison coursing through Aphelios’ veins.

Only now did they understand their destiny. Aphelios would hollow himself out with pain, but would become a conduit for the moon’s power. Alune would live alone, isolated in her fortress, but she would guide her brother, able to see through his eyes.

Together, they would be the weapon the Lunari needed, bound by pain and sacrifice. Only apart could they be together—their souls brushing across the veil, distant, yet impossibly close, converging into something they could not understand.

To protect the survivors of the attack who retreated back into the shadows of the mountain, Aphelios’ training as an assassin has been given reach by Alune’s magic—his blades now an arsenal of mystical weapons, perfected by Alune over the course of many missions together.

Now that the power balance of Targon is shifting, and the Solari know the Lunari still endure, Aphelios and Alune are needed more than ever.

APHELIOS VOICE - League of Legends

FUN FACTS ABOUT APHELIOS

1. Unique Weapon Rotations: Aphelios possesses five different weapons, each with its own unique abilities. What makes him truly distinct is that he can cycle through these weapons in a fixed order (Calibrum, Severum, Gravitum, Infernum, Crescendum), and each weapon has a corresponding ability (Q) and a different basic attack empowered effect (R). Mastering the rotations and knowing which weapon to use in different situations is key to playing Aphelios effectively.

2. Silent Protagonist: Unlike most champions who have lines and dialogue in the game, Aphelios remains silent throughout his gameplay. His story is primarily told through the interactions of his sister, Alune, and his character design. This unique approach adds to his mysterious and enigmatic persona.

3. Designed by a Small Team: Aphelios was designed by Riot Games' Champion team, with a notably smaller group of developers working on his creation compared to other champions. Despite this, his intricate kit and gameplay mechanics make him one of the most complex champions in the game.

4. Mastery Beyond Mechanical Skill: Playing Aphelios requires not only mechanical skill but also mastery of his unique interface and weapon system. Players must be able to quickly assess the situation, adapt to the current weapon rotation, and utilize each weapon's abilities and empowered effects effectively. This additional layer of complexity sets Aphelios apart from other marksmen champions.

5. Influence from Moon Magic: Aphelios draws inspiration from the concept of moon magic and lunar cycles. His abilities and visuals are themed around different phases of the moon, with each weapon representing a different aspect of his connection to the celestial bodies. This thematic design adds depth to Aphelios' character and ties into his lore as a member of the Lunari, a secretive group of worshippers devoted to the moon.

ABILITIES OF APHELIOS

Passive - THE HITMAN AND THE SEER

Aphelios wields 5 Lunari Weapons made by his sister Alune. He has access to two at a time: one main-hand and one off-hand. Each weapon has a unique Basic Attack and Ability. Attacks and abilities consume a weapon's ammo. When out of ammo, Aphelios discards the weapon and Alune summons the next of the 5.

Q - WEAPON ABILITES

Aphelios has 5 different activated abilities, based on his main-hand weapon: Calibrum (Rifle): Long range shot that marks its target for a long-range follow-up attack. Severum (Scythe Pistol): Run fast while attacking nearby enemies with both weapons. Gravitum (Cannon): Root all enemies slowed by this weapon. Infernum (Flamethrower): Blast enemies in a cone and attack them with your off-hand weapon. Crescendum (Chakram): Deploy a sentry that shoots your off-hand weapon.

W - PHASE

Aphelios swaps his main-hand gun with his off-hand gun, replacing his basic attack and activated ability.

E - WEAPON QUEUE SYSTEM

Aphelios has no third ability. This slot shows the next weapon Alune will give him. Weapon order begins fixed but may change over game time -- when a weapon is out of ammo it goes to the end of the order.

R - MOONLIGHT VIGIL

Fire a concentrated blast of moonlight that explodes on enemy champions. Applies the unique effect of Aphelios' main-hand gun.

APHELIOS ABILITIES COMBOS

Aphelios R - league of legends

1. Calibrum (Sniper) + Severum (Scythe Pistol):

- Use Calibrum (Q) to mark enemies from a distance, then switch to Severum (W) to quickly dash in and finish them off with close-range attacks. This combo allows Aphelios to poke from afar and then swiftly engage in close combat.

2. Severum (Scythe Pistol) + Crescendum (Chakram):

- Start with Severum (W) to engage in close combat and deal damage with its life steal. Follow up with Crescendum (Q) to unleash a flurry of Chakram attacks, maximizing damage output in short-range skirmishes.

3. Gravitum (Gravity Cannon) + Infernum (Flamethrower):

- Use Gravitum (E) to slow and root enemies from a distance, then switch to Infernum (R) to unleash a massive AoE attack. This combo is effective for team fights, as it provides crowd control and area damage to multiple targets.

4. Severum (Scythe Pistol) + Crescendum (Chakram) + Gravitum (Gravity Cannon):

- Start with Severum (W) for sustain and close-range damage, then switch to Crescendum (Q) for increased attack speed and damage. Follow up with Gravitum (E) to root enemies in place and continue dealing damage with Chakrams.

5. Severum (Scythe Pistol) + Calibrum (Sniper) + Gravitum (Gravity Cannon) + Infernum (Flamethrower) + Crescendum (Chakram):

- Utilize Aphelios's ultimate ability, Moonlight Vigil (R), to switch between all his weapons and unleash a combination of their effects. Start with Severum for sustain, then quickly cycle through Calibrum, Gravitum, Infernum, and Crescendum to apply various effects and deal maximum damage to multiple targets.

BUILD OF APHELIOS

RUNES OF APHELIOS

TIPS ON HOW TO PLAY WITH APHELIOS

1. Master Weapon Rotations: Aphelios cycles through five different weapons in a fixed order, each with its own unique abilities and empowered basic attacks. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each weapon and knowing when to switch between them is crucial. Familiarize yourself with the weapon rotation and plan your actions accordingly based on the situation.

2. Manage Ammo and Weapon Selection: Each weapon has a limited number of attacks before Aphelios automatically switches to the next one. Pay attention to your ammo count and plan your engagements accordingly to maximize your damage output. Additionally, be mindful of which weapon you'll have next in the rotation and position yourself accordingly to utilize its strengths.

3. Positioning is Key: Aphelios lacks mobility and is vulnerable to assassins and divers. Position yourself safely in teamfights, staying within range to deal damage but also keeping a safe distance from threats. Use your superior range and zoning tools to control space and punish opponents who overextend.

4. Use Crescendum Effectively: Crescendum, Aphelios' close-range weapon, can deal massive amounts of damage in teamfights when used properly. Position yourself to stack Chakrams on nearby enemies before activating the empowered basic attack (R). Comboing abilities like Severum's (Q) Onslaught and Gravitum's (Q) Binding Eclipse can also help stack Chakrams quickly.

5. Coordinate with Your Support: Aphelios relies heavily on his support to protect him and set up opportunities for kills. Communicate with your support to coordinate engages, peel for each other in teamfights, and maximize your effectiveness in lane. Synergize with supports who can provide crowd control and protection to help you survive and thrive in the laning phase and beyond.

TIPS FOR COUNTERING APHELIOS

1. Understand his Weapon Rotations: Aphelios cycles through five different weapons, each with its own abilities and empowered basic attacks. Familiarize yourself with his weapon rotation order (Calibrum, Severum, Gravitum, Infernum, Crescendum) and the abilities associated with each weapon. Knowing which weapon Aphelios currently has equipped can help you anticipate his potential threat level and adjust your strategy accordingly.

2. Respect his Range and Zone Control: Aphelios excels at controlling space with his long-range abilities and area-of-effect damage. Be mindful of his attack range and the range of his abilities, particularly with weapons like Calibrum and Severum. Avoid overcommitting to fights within Aphelios' effective range, and use terrain and vision to limit his ability to poke or engage.

3. Exploit his Lack of Mobility: Aphelios lacks inherent mobility tools, making him vulnerable to crowd control and flanking maneuvers. Coordinate with your team to engage on Aphelios from multiple angles or catch him out of position. Champions with strong crowd control abilities can lock him down and prevent him from kiting or repositioning effectively.

4. Itemize Against him: Certain items can help mitigate Aphelios' strengths and make it easier to deal with him in fights. Items like Thornmail and Randuin's Omen can reduce his damage output and survivability, while Banshee's Veil or Edge of Night can block his initiation or poke abilities. Adapt your itemization based on Aphelios' weapon rotation and the overall composition of the enemy team.

5. Focus on Target Selection: Aphelios' effectiveness in teamfights depends heavily on his weapon rotation and positioning. Identify high-priority targets on the enemy team, such as squishy carries or vulnerable champions, and focus your efforts on taking them down first. Disrupting Aphelios' ability to deal damage or positioning himself effectively can significantly reduce his impact in teamfights.

SKINS OF APHELIOS