The roster of champions available inLeague of Legendsisfull of characters from all kinds of backgrounds, races, and classes. It’s easy to find a champion that fits the players' interests and preferences, and each one has countless build variants. One of the most popular classes in the game is the assassin. These sneaky ninjas and stealthy warriors are equipped with razor blades ready to slice through any unsuspecting carry that walks too close to the brush.
With so many champions to choose from, deciding what rune to pick is one of the most important aspects of the game. It can decide the outcome of some intense teamfights and 1v1 skirmishes on the sidelane. There are so many options that can be used with almost any character. Some offer higher burst potential, while others focus more on utility, allowing the player more agency over the map and how the game plays out. It’s important to know how each rune functions and which ones to pick in specific scenarios and matchups.
8Sudden Impact
From Out Of Nowhere
One of the defining characteristics of the Assassin class is the ability to dash, blink, and, in general, be a nuisance to deal with for the ADC. Evenwhen the support is close by, it can be hard to lock down a champion like Zed or Akali. They have so many tools for avoiding damage and keeping nimble, while still being able to execute teammates in seconds. Sudden Impact is the perfect choice for any dash-heavy champions looking to boost their burst output. The only requirement is toperform a dash and an attack in a pretty wide window. There is no thought required, and it is a nice extra bit of damage that can make the difference.
The rune isn’t going to blow any minds or cause any uproar over its strength, but that extra chunk of damage attached to every engage feels incredibly useful. Because the cooldown is so low, it will pop multiple times over the course of a fight and quickly ramp up the total damage over time. Certain champions can’t use it due to the lack of movement capabilities, but for any assassin with a dash or two, it is a must pick for anyone looking to climb the ladders even faster.
7Relentless Hunter
He Could Be Anywhere
One of the biggest strengths for an assassin is the ability to consistently and successfully roam. Being able to walk from midlane all the way to bot and clean up a quick double-kill is a great way to boost the snowballing potential of the player’s champion, and gives them a lot of agency to take over the game solo. Relentless Hunter makes those roams a lot easier, boosting their movespeed right from the start. By collecting a few kills across the map, the player can be anywhere in a matter of moments.
After each stack, there is a noticeable difference in the ability to get back into action faster and to move around the map to aid the team. The one downside is that the move speed is out-of-combat, so the second the fight starts, the rune’s effectiveness disappears. But the benefit of being able to enter a skirmish a few moments before the opponent is powerful in the right hands.
6First Strike
Satisfying And Strong
First Strike is a money-lover’s dream, adding a mini-game to their landing phase and scaling well into the late game as a burst-damage machine. For certain champions like Kassadin, who like to build up in power over time, it is the perfect rune choice. Having a few extra coins early on can help get certain champions over the first few hurdles. And if they have a decent fight where they can get plenty of damage off, the gold gained can net the player a whole extra kill. This boosts their kill potential and lets them access the late-game power sooner.
The rune isn’t purely for gold generation though. By activating the effect, players get a percentage damage boost to their burst. While this is a small effect early on, it can ramp up into a huge burst that can deal significant amounts of damage in a single combo. There is some counter-play available for the enemy, where they can poke out the player and deactivate the rune and place it on a sizable cooldown. But if the player uses it well, it can be deadly and valuable.
5Ultimate Hunter
He Has It Again?
Part of what makes an assassin so deadly is their ability to pump out a huge burst of damage in one go thanks to combinations with their abilities and, most importantly, their ultimate. Being able to cast the most powerful tool in a champion’s kit even a few seconds faster is hugely valuable, so a rune dedicated to making that happen is the perfect addition to an assassin’s loadout. Akali, Zed, Katarina, and other champions are pretty reliant on their ability to ult during a fight. If they don’t have to wait long for it to be back up, it can be a big surprise to the enemy who was killed by it few moments before.
The best part is that the effect isn’t conditional, other than the need to build up a few stacks from kills. Once fully stacked, players will have no problem firing off multiple ultimates in a short period. Certain champions might favor other stats like speed or simply an injection of cash, but for those looking for some extra casts of their prime ability, this is the perfect rune.
4Hail Of Blades
Burst From Thin Air
If one attack hurts enough, then three quick swipes straight to the throat willleave any squishy championin pieces. Hail of Blades is an excellent rune for champions in the assassin role that like to get up close and personal, dishing out unexpected burst right from the start of the game. Pyke is the perfect example of an exceptional user of this rune, as a hook into a three-auto combo is enough to chunk out an entire enemy champion’s health pool.
The rune is one of the most transformative in the game, turning champions that might otherwise fit into another category into burst monsters. Briar can go from a bruiser to an executioner, and Twitch can unlock a whole new set of powers. And with such a low cooldown, the aggression never needs to stop. Each engage can win entire lanes and fights, thanks to a handy attack speed injection from this nifty little rune.
3Treasure Hunter
Give Me The Money
Gold is probably the most valuable statLeague, as being able to deal more damage and remove enemy players from the map in shorter times is a deciding factor in winning the game. Treasure Hunter seems like a pick fit only for greedy players, but the value provided by hefty extra gold is undeniable. Plus, it doesn’t require players to get a pentakill right as the game starts, waiting to be collected for as long as it takes. Snowballing isimportant for certain championslike Qiyana, who struggle to keep up later on in the game. With a constant incentive to go hunting for more kills, players are rewarded for their aggression.
The rune is particularly deadly thanks to its effect on the enemy team. If they see an initial kill going over to the other team, the first reaction is negative, but not too bad. But the hidden extra gold going into the player’s pockets can be unexpected. The enemy might assume that the hunter is a little bit stronger after the battle, but in fact, whole extra items can be completed minutes ahead of time, thanks to the bounties this rune provides.
2Dark Harvest
Stacking Up The Dopamine
The idea of an assassin is to take out high-priority targets quickly and concisely. That can mean taking their health pool from the top to the bottom in one go, or diving in for the finishing blow with their mobility and dive capabilities. An extra bonus at the end of a combo can be the difference maker in a chain of attacks. And because it resets after each kill, in a 5v5 scenario with lots of death and carnage, the chances of it popping multiple times is basically guaranteed.
Despite having a long cooldown, going in for a trade and getting a pop early on can build up into a devastating amount of damage. This is ideal for any assassin looking to burst through backliners through heavy engages or even some solid poke. The downside of the rune is that it does rely on getting that initial damage from somewhere, whether from the team or the player themselves. It can be quite hard to use in a losing situation, but if the user can stack it up and consistently get the soul to fly high, the power gives a significant boost to the player’s kill potential.
1Electrocute
A Quick Zap And It’s All Over
Electrocute doeseverything an assassin wantsin a rune, and doesn’t demand much either. The effect depends on a short sequence of attacks, but the window is pretty long. A traditional combo against an enemy, whether in lane or later on, will involve more than enough attacks to set off the lightning train. The damage deals a good chunk from the start of the game and has a cooldown that, if played correctly, can be basically ignored and used more as a guide for when to go in and remove the enemy laner from the rift.
The damage keeps going up as the player gains more items and stats. By the time the player has a full inventory of items at level 18, the damage is incredible. Without needing to use an entire full combo, players can deal absurd amounts of damage to the poor ADCs that are just trying to farm one more wave. Its power is unmatched, and the small downsides it has are irrelevant. This rune turns any assassin into a terrifying beast.
