Adagio: Indtroduction Top
As its description says, Adagio is a character that seems too good to be true. It´s an incredible support, while it can also turn into an unexpected serial killer, and can take any role with enough practice. Today, I'm going to teach you how you can become an expert by easily carrying out all roles possible.
How to deal with crystal Top
Many times, as an Adagio, I've heard complaints of not being support because I use mostly crystal. However, I have to disagree. You see, the power of the crystal allows Adagio to heal in higher percentages, as well as making allies stronger with Agent of Wrath (B), and also dealing more damage with Verse of Judgement (C). However, it is true it's hard to maintain focused as a healer when you are capable of dealing so much damage, so be sure to remember what your position truly is.
Also, I've seen many Adagios using weapons when they are taking the roam or the jungle, which is something I would not suggest. Instead, it is much more effective to go crystal, because the damage you deal when using Agent of Wrath (B) is much higher just with Shatterglass than basic attacks with many weapons. Of course, if you do want to go as a killer, you may take a Sorrowblade with you, but avoid going full weapon. I'll explain this later.
Last but not least, I would like to clarify the lack of energy recharge, and maybe this is why this build should be used by people used to him. Adagio´s Gift of Fire (A), as you well know, set enemies on fire nearby the healed ally. What is not always remembered is that all damage dealt to an enemy on fire, returns a 20% of energy. Thus, as I will explain on the next chapter, I suggest not buying rechargers, as the best tactic involves healing allies close enough to an enemy, and gaining energy out of it
A, B, C... How to use the abilities Top
The abilities Adagio have are indeed perfectly calculated. With perfect sync, and good timing, as well as practice, the domination of the three of them will guarantee a winning match.
Gift of Fire (A)
The first ability is the healing one, and I suggest unlocking it first, as it is a key to the beginning of the match. There are two things you should know about this ability:
1- Healing an ally sets enemies on fire, which will not only return your energy when damaged, but will also stunt enemies when combined with Verse of Judgement (C).
2- It slows enemies down when used in Adagio, also setting them on fire.
The amount of healing is completely dependent on your CP, thus the Shatterglass. Point number 2 can be "upgraded", if you buy Frostburn, by also slowing enemies down when healing an ally. However, if your death counter is high, I would suggest buying protective items, and just doing it when you are mastered enough or the match seems going in your favour.
It is not just OK, but a great technique to use it on minions as to get the enemy on fire. Even though the fire itself may not be strong enough as Skaarf´s, it may give you a kill or two, as well as some energy in return. Make sure to use it on jungle creatures as a start to a fight, instead of attacking them first, as to have plenty of energy by the time you kill it.
Last but not least, in the case you missed a couple of times and you are now running out of energy, make sure to use it ASAP on your first enemy encounter; either a minion, a creature or a hero. As this may happen plenty of times if you are not used to this build, carry many potions until you feel comfortable enough.
Agent of Wrath (B)
The second ability Adagio has, can turn anyone into a killing machine if properly used and with enough CP. The first aspect you need to understand is that if used in Adagio, is more powerful than using in others. If you are going jungle or lane, abstain into using it for yourself; but if you go support, make sure to make a proper balance between you and your allies. If your allies are very strong by themselves, and you are about to enter a 2v3 fight, make sure to heal your ally and use this ability in yourself, helping them while (most of the times) enemies don´t notice you are dealing as much damage. However, if in the same circumstances, your ally has many defensive items due to the strength of the enemy, use this ability on them, and make sure he stays alive until the 3rd member arrives. At first, this ability may seem not as strong as the other two, but when matches turn into two very strong teams, this is the one that will make the real difference. Not joking when I say that if an enemy lacks of good defense, you can kill them in less than 5 hits.
Verse of Judgement (C)
The ultimate ability Adagio has can deal a huge twist in big fights, and may be used as a
kamikaze plan if things aren´t looking good. Even though it is incredibly powerful and makes all of us super hyped of when are we going to use it, you may go full matches without using it, and not because you don´t know when to, but maybe because the circumstances were never good enough. As a consequence, I suggest using it in ANY possible chance instead of waiting for the perfect time, because this perfect time may never arrive. For instance, I personally use it when many minions are gathered, and the laner is not coming any time soon, erradicating all of them in an instant. However, you may be asking yourself, "if it is not that common this so called "perfect time", then what are you talking about?" What I mean by the perfect times, is however, something not out of the ordinary. The perfect time to use it is
when there is a 3v3 fight and all enemies are close between them, close enough to you as to be damaged, and all burning with arcane fire. I know, it may seem it hardly ever happens, but it may when you least expect it. Pay close attention when there are 3v3 fights, and make sure to stunt them all in matter of seconds.
IMPORTANT NOTE:I´ve seen this happen many times with amateur Adagios, and here is my humble suggestion. NEVER, and I mean
NEVER use the ultimate without using Gift of Fire first. Otherwise, it is useless.
Items: How, when and why Top
Timing
The items chosen will help you in many ways throughout the match. The order of when to buy each item depends a lot on what the enemy builds. For instance, when battling against 2 out of 3 weapons, start with the Light Armor, but DON´T stop buying Reflex Block, I´ll explain it a little later. If going against full Crystal, you can avoid the Metal Jacket, though this hardly ever happens. Depending on how much you care about speed, buy your boots whenever you want, though I may remind you Adagio is very slow and things may turn bad if you are being chased and Gift of Fire (A) won´t seem to save you; not to mention how fast you have to go if you decide yo go support. I suggest having Crucible if possible as soon as you reach level 6, I´ll explain later why. If impossible, at least try to get Reflex Block. Shatterglass is very important no matter the role, so don´t let it go last. My suggestion is to keep a pace of equilibrium among these 5 first items and let the last one as a chance according to how the battle is going. Now, I´ll explain each and every item and it´s importance, again, NOT in the order you have to buy them, but just as it comes to my mind
Shatterglass
As explained before, this item will strengthen all three of your abilities. As there is no direct damage, the use of other items with boosts are useless (you never deal damage with your abilities, except for Verse of Judgement (C), which has more of a stunt intention rather than a damage intention) so i would go directly to the power of it.
Crucible
Even though this is a supportive item which is useful for the whole team, I´ll be honest with you: it´s not because it´s useful for the team, rather than it is for you. You see, as there is no need of special boosts of other crystal items, to grow strong with Adagio´s powers, all you need is Shatterglasses. But, instead of using all these spaces for it, you use these empty spaces to build a strong defense. Not only it´s the highest life-giving element, but the Reflex Block is extremely important. Why? Because your ultimate can be easily blocked by a stunt. So, when using your ultimate, activating it will grant a successful attack, as it will land as it has to. This becomes even more important when battling against Catherine, Phinn, Celeste or Koshka. Of course, don't be selfish if you need to use it to save an ally.
Metal Jacket
I guess this is self explanatory. When battling against weapon enemies, this will save you more than once. The reason I suggest this and not Atlas Pauldron is because I find this, combined with Crucible, enough to stand against any enemy, and the AP activation not that good.
Journey Boots
Again, self explanatory. You may need to run from times to times, either away or as to save someone, so don´t abstain from buying them.
Alternating Current
Truth be told, not even I use it oftenly. However, if going lane or jungle, it is very useful. Besides, the boost it gives is MUCH better than any other crystal item (besides Shatterglass) can give. Attack speed used with Agent of Wrath (B) can kill in rows before any enemy took notice of how powerful you are. Use it when matches are looking tough and you have to take a deeper role when it comes to killing.
Last item
The last item, I suggest, should not be only chosen last, but bought last, as the rest of the build is solid enough to endure as long as it has to. Here are the circumstances of when to pick which:
Frostburn: You feel you need a little bit more of CP, besides the fact heroes are going too fast and you need to slow them down ASAP. (If you just feel you need more CP; buy another Shatterglass)
Fountain of Renewal/Slumbering Husk: The enemy is going full crystal, or your allies are too weak. Make sure to buy Slumbering Husk if great damage is dealt at once, and Fountain of Renewal if your team is dying too much
Atlas Pauldron: The enemy team is going full weapon. Be sure to use it when chased or battling against very fast enemies.
Tornado Trigger: You want more speed, as enemies have ran away too many times. (Note: if you wish to be truly powerful, buy two Shatterglasses and one of these, instead of buying Alternating Current)
Sorrowblade: Least suggested. You want to boost your basic attack, as to deal more damage, making a perfect mixture with Shatterglassed improved Agent of Wrath (B)
But... which role do I pick? Top
The role you pick will differ the way you play. Mainly, the difference lies between carry/jungler and captain, where the hero to take consequence of your ability changes.
Carry
When taking care of the road, you have to make sure you don't run out of energy, something very frequent if you abstain using Gift of Fire (A) just to heroes. On the contrary, I highly suggest using it on minions, specially if you can get the enemy hero to get burnt. As said before, ALL damages done to enemies on fire have a 20% return in energy; and though it may seem not a lot, it actually is, and even more the proportions of the amount of energy you have compared to the one you earn by the minions battling for themselves AND your attack as well.
The great advantage of being carry as an Adagio is that you give the captain a much more free match. What do I mean? I mean that with the proper build, you can:
a- deal lots of damage
b- have a good defense
c- heal yourself whenever needed
So unless you are in a single combat against a larger group, captains have no need to be checking on you constantly. Throughout the match, you can turn things all around in mere seconds, for instance using Verse of Judgement (C) when there are large amounts of minions, or in combats of 3v3 with some risky moves and good coordination, killing or stunning all enemies altogether. May I remind you, Arcane Fire also works on turret cannons, so don´t forget to heal minions when going against them!
Jungler
When playing as a jungler, you may have something stuck in your head, which is the need to be
quick. And yes, I can hear you people saying "You have to be quick with EVERY jungler", and yes, I know, but the amount of damage Adagio deals as a jungler depends on being quick enough to make your enemies burn, as well as making you stronger to hit them before they run away. May I tell you, you may not go at first as a jungler, but when you least notice it, you are all by yourself in the jungle and defending yourself from the enemy jungler, so make sure to pay attention as a captain. When all by yourself in the jungle, trust yourself as well as making sure to use the miner and the stunning minion. Don't you ever run away unless there´s no other option, and if you do, make sure to heal yourself on the way, because if the hero is:
a- long distance damage: you may heal yourself just enough to bare one or two of their attacks. If it is saw, you know he gets slow, if it´s celeste, your crystal amount should heal you enough, etc etc
b- short distance damage: you slow them down and get a better chance to run away. The slowness don't last long, so be sure to run away as fast as possible.
As a jungler, always remember to use Gift of Fire (A) when attacking the creatures. You may either start the fight by healing yourself or while you fight. If going with a support, make sure they receive the health as they are the ones taking the damage for you. If comfortable, crossing to the enemy's jungle shouldn't be a problem.
Captain
When you go captain, there are a couple of things you need to understand. From what to do as to why he is called mainly as a captain here are some advices:
1- Sometimes you will have to heal yourself as the best option. When exactly? The best and most common scenario is when running away from more than a hero. For instance, let's say you went into the enemy jungle and you notice that you and your jungler can not beat them in a 2v2, and your ally is on the danger zone. If when running away, the enemies seem to go too fast and are about to kill your ally, the best you can do is retreat, get close to the enemies, and heal yourself, slowing them down and giving a chance to the jungler to die. All sort of reactions will come, from a fire of ? up to a million thanks, but I believe this is the best thing to do, specially if you manage to survive it.
2- Pay close attention: you may not be playing as captain anymore. Don't worry, it's not your fault nor your team, but it happens more than you can imagine. Make sure that your build is set well enough as to defend yourself as well as having some crystal to deal some damage.
3- Adapt yourself for the best of the team when needed. If you feel that you would like to deal some more damage, but you have to pick which one to heal first because both of them were too weak, get yourself a Fountain of Renewal and let them be the killers. Make sure to help them by giving the strength with Agent of Fire (B) and give them a hand stunning them all with that Verse of Judgement (C).
Final conclusions Top
Adagio is a very fun character to chose, and I highly suggest it if you want to try something unique. It is fun to play whatever your favourite role is, and I personally think he may sometimes be a little bit underrated. With magic twists, enemies on fire, and many risks to be taken, make sure to take some of these pieces of advice and make yourself a pro with this son of the dragons!
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