Assemble! Behind my shield

Hello and welcome to my Lance guide!
I am DaAlZa, the SEA Lance main. I have been playing almost exclusively Lance since he came out in early summer 2016. Over around 200 matches, I've gathered his counters, synergies and more. In this guide I will explain not only how to play Lance, but why and when play Lance.

Yes, this is a lance, why are you laughing?

Lance is a ranged tank/disruptor, he aims to bodyblock damage and provide CC for teamfights. As you can see by his main role, he is primarily meant to be played as a support. However because of his abilities consisting of so much CC and high scalings, he can be played as a second support in the jungle/lane to aid the primary carry.

"Lance depends on both his courage and his wits to protect his allies. With his unique polearm-and-shield combat style, he breaks enemy lines and creates opportunities for his friends. Lance can build crystal or utility items to excel in his role as a captain, or he can build weapon items to deal more damage during battle." - in game description

	Level 1	Level 12	Per Level
Hit Points	810	2185	+125
Hit Points regen	3.69	10.84	+0.65
Weapon Damage	96	178	+7.45
Attack Speed	1	1	+0
Armour	30	86	+5.09
Shield	30	86	+5.09
Range	4.5	4.5	4.5
Move speed	3.3	3.3	3.3

Why hit one of you when I can hit all of you!

Heroic Perk
Partisan's Technique

Lance's basic attacks damage every target along their path. However, his attacks are slow to land and attack speed is less effective on him.

Instead of energy, Lance uses stamina to activate his abilities. Purchasing items with energy and energy regeneration increases his stamina and stamina regeneration.

Max Stamina: 100 + 20% Max Energy
Stamina Regen: 15+50% Energy Regen


Although this may seem like a weird passive at first glance, looking further at his kit, it actually makes a lot of sense. Whenever you cast your abilities on anyone and hit at least 2 people, they will always end up in a straight line, you just have to find the right angle at which to attack them. That makes you deal almost twice the damage of your current WP! (Depending on how much armour your enemies have) This also helps out for lane Lance, since his lance can extend further than the target you're aiming for, his range is essentially increased for farming and poking. His stamina is also really good as it allows him to continuously fight without worrying about his energy.


Slot A
Impale

Lance strikes through his opponents, dealing weapon damage and rooting them in place (max 1.6 seconds). If this attack hits at least one enemy, Lance will immediately recover from the ability.

Overdrive: If this hits an enemy, it also resets the cooldown of Combat Roll.

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4	Level 5	Crystal ratio %	Weapon ratio %
Cooldown	12	11	10	9	7
Stamina Cost	30	30	30	30	30
Damage	120	230	340	450	560	80%	140%
Damage to Minions	80	120	160	200	240	60%	60%
Root Duration	1	1	1	1	1.3	0.2%

This is the ability that suits Lance's aggressive playstyle the most. Lance starts channeling a skillshot, its hitbox is shown on the ground, Lance then immediately lunges forward and strikes with his lance rooting anyone in his way. If you miss this, you'll get locked in place, unable to perform any action for a while. I really like the design of this ability, you're rewarded for being able to predict the enemy movements, but you're also punished for missing it. You can also walljump with this.

Slot B
Gythian Wall

Passive: Lance strafes around the enemy he has most recently attacked. While strafing, he reduces damage from the target's direction by up to 50%.

Active: Lance sweeps opponents away with his polearm, dealing weapon damage and also stunning them if they collide with a wall or structure (max 1.6 seconds). Afterward, he holds his shield steadfast, greatly reducing incoming damage from the target direction by up to 90%.

Both the passive and the active damage reduction are 50% effective against turrets.

Overdrive: While active, Lance ignores all debuffs (from any direction).

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4	Level 5	Crystal ratio %	Weapon ratio %
Cooldown	9	8	7	6	5
Stamina Cost	40	40	40	40	40
Damage	70	105	140	175	210	80%	100%
Stun Duration	0.6	0.7	0.8	0.9	1	0.2%
Passive Damage Reduction	10%	12%	14%	16%	20%	15%
Active Damage Reduction	25%	30%	35%	40%	45%	15%

This is the ability that makes Lance excel at both his role as a captain and a tank. It's cooldown is fairly short to be used multiple times in a single fight and it allows you to soak up damage for your team. One misconception people often have is that your armour/shield acts first and then your passive, but it works like this, if you're taking 100 damage and have maxed B so 50% damage reduction, you take 100 x 50% and then your defensive stats come in to play, meaning that you'll often take less then 50% of the incoming damage with your shield up! Use this to body block for your teammates as you'll take way less damage than they will.


Slot C (Ultimate)
Combat Roll


Lance rolls in the target direction. His next basic attack within 2 seconds will strike quickly, dealing bonus crystal damage.

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Crystal Ratio %	Weapon Ratio %
Cooldown	8	6	4
Stamina Cost	30	25	20
Damage	80	140	200	60%

This isn't just an ability, it is a tool used for re-positioning in the midst of a heated battle! Use it to get better angles for your A and B. To maximize you unpredictability roll often so that the enemy has no idea where to dodge. Use it to get to position faster such as rolling out of base. You can jump medium walls with this.


Skill order
Your A and B accomplish the same thing, so how to pick between these two? Your A has a way higher damage output and a longer cooldown than your B, I suggest maxing your A to lower your cooldown while maximizing your damage output. Hence I highly recommend maxing it first for an aggressive playstyle. I usually max my B second and put in points into my C at Lvl 6 and 12, however for a defensive Lance playstyle, you're better off upgrading your B first so that you can absorb more damage and use it to push enemies off your carries more frequently.

No one said the right thing would be easy

Lance excels at locking down low mobility heroes in place. Picking him against any hero without movement abilities such as Reim will benefit you the most. He can be picked into high mobility heroes such as Skye but it will be a lot harder to land your skills. Remember you don't always have to go Lance, Catherine accomplishes the same job just more consistently, pick her into high mobility heroes.

Itemization

Core
Fountain of Renewal - Staple item for roaming, allows you to regen health when you haven't taken damage and allows you to heal your team from near death experiences. Rush this item for a huge powerspike in teamfights. The lower your teammates are the more health it will restore, however don't completely ignore dying teammates hoping to get a higher heal off, it's not meant to heal back to full health but as a reserve health supply in teamfights.

War Treads - Not a priority item but do get T2 boots fast. Use this as an engage/disengage tool depending on the situation. You can use boots and then go for a root so it becomes harder for enemies to dodge.

Aftershock - This gives you CD and an on-hit effect. It is usually my 2nd/3rd item as the stats it gives are too good to pass up in the early game and are crucial in the late game.

Atlas Pauldron - Build this as your usual armour unless they have slow heavy hitters. Then get a Metal Jacket instead.

Situational
Crucible - Get this if enemy team has AOE CC or if you want to be tankier ( Threats show which enemies it is effective against)

Metal Jacket - Build this against slow heavy hitters (WP Joule, WP Lance, WP Ozo, WP Taka)

Tension Bow - Build this if you're ahead as the extra armour pierce and damage will allow you to play more aggressively. Sell it in the mid-game as it becomes ineffective.

Nullwave Gauntlet - Build this if you need to disable someone's activatables. ( Threats show which enemies it is effective against)

Shatterglass - Root and stun duration scales off CP, if you want to root/stun someone longer buy this item, but it should be one of your last items if you do decide to buy it.

Starting
Weapon Blade - Your WP scalings are really high, if you want to dominate the early game get an early Weapon Blade to get more damage. Can be built into Tension Bow if you're ahead.

Oakheart - Standard health item, makes you tankier in the beginning.

Why play Lance Captain?

As we've discussed earlier, Lance specializes in body blocking and his high CC. This and his passive damage reduction make it perfect to play as the captain! With you aggressive kit you can decide when and where to start a battle and with your passive you'll live long enough to see another fight. Buying utility and defense items make him one hell of a nut to crack and buying CDR will make him even more of a menace to the enemy team.

How to play

Lance is generally one of the strongest Lvl 1 heroes in the game. If you want to snowball early, it is good to pick a Lvl 1 fight in which you simply outscale the opponents. If you decide to start one, make sure to initiate with your root, so that your root will be available if you need to chase someone after the fight. It also makes for a great escape over the wall if things don't go smoothly. Try to stick to your laner more than your jungler as Lance can really pressure the turret and force the enemy to gank lane often, leaving your jungler free to take their jungle farm. If you are snowballing from the beginning, you might want to invest in a Tension Bow to be able to dish out swift justice to anyone who dares come near your laner. If you are behind, I recommend building lots of resistance and health items, it goes really well with your passive defensive stats. By 12 min, it is generally the best time to sell your Tension Bow if you brought one and start preparing for the late game with an Aftershock and other items you seem fit.

Note: you can go same skill order as lane/jungle Lance if you want to play more aggressively

Itemization

Core CP
Aftershock - This gives you CD and an on-hit effect. Rush this item first as it allows you to have stronger basic attacks while still buffing your abilities.

Shatterglass - This gives you lots of CP and makes it so that less CP is needed for your full root and stun duration. Get this as your 2nd offensive item but build defense before you get this.

Broken Myth - Finishes your CP for full root and stun duration and amplifies your CP for prolonged fights.

Aegis - Can block any debuff if timed correctly and gives you a shield (The lower you are the higher the shield). Provides shield and health.

Atlas Pauldron - Slows down the attack speed of nearby enemies. Provides armour.

Journey Boots - Build this as your boots as if you hit an enemy while they're on CD, it will set the cooldown to 12 sec, allowing you to chase easier.

Core WP
Sorrowblade - Buffs your basic attacks and abilities. Get this first for a damage powerspike.

Sorrowblade - Since Lance doesn't benefit much from attack speed, get a 2nd Sorrowblade for the extra on-hit and ability damage.

Tyrant's Monocle - After you get 2 Sorrowblade your enemies will get armour, build this to crit and deal more damage.

Aegis - Can block any debuff if timed correctly and gives you a shield (The lower you are the higher the shield). Provides shield and health.

Atlas Pauldron - Slows down the attack speed of nearby enemies. Provides armour.

Journey Boots - Build this as your boots as if you hit an enemy while they're on CD, it will set the cooldown to 12 sec, allowing you to chase easier.

Situational
Tension Bow - Build this if you're ahead as the extra armour pierce and damage will allow you to play more aggressively. Sell it in the mid-game as it becomes ineffective.

Slumbering Husk - Build this against burst damage heroes who lack consistent damage after the initial burst (CP Glaive, CP Joule, CP Saw)

Metal Jacket - Build this against slow heavy hitters (WP Joule, WP Lance, WP Ozo, WP Taka)

War Treads - Build this if you want to be tankier and have no problems chasing down enemies.

Starting Items
Weapon Blade - Even if you're CP, your WP scalings are higher so get this for extra damage and easier farming in lane. Can be built into Tension Bow if you're ahead.

Book of Eulogies - You have a small range so you'll get easily outpoked. Get this for sustain in lane.

Why play Lance Lane?

Lance isn't such a good laner with the ranged meta, however he can perform well against melee laners such as Blackfeather and Idris and in rare cases Glaive His kit allows him to constantly harass the enemy laner without fear of stunning himself and in ganks, he can help the roamer to lock down the laner. Although I do not recommend playing him in the lane, it can be done and can be done efficiently if played correctly.

How to play

Lane Lance is very hard to learn and I recommend practicing using his Partisan's Technique to cs in bot matches. You should generally look for a Lvl 1 fight to try and snowball from there, if you do, aim the laner to get first blood and some time to farm in peace. Always look for opportunities to use your A to hit both the minions for a faster wave clear and to damage your laner at the same time. Don't play too aggressively though, as most laners will have the range advantage and if you come too close to them, you might get ganked. If you are ahead in lane and you pushed out, look for opportunities to roam into the jungle, as if you get kills you're able to pressure your laner even harder.

Itemization

Core CP
Aftershock - This gives you CD and an on-hit effect. Rush this item first as it allows you to have stronger basic attacks while still buffing your abilities.

Shatterglass - This gives you lots of CP and makes it so that less CP is needed for your full root and stun duration. Get this as your 2nd offensive item but build defense before you get this.

Broken Myth - Finishes your CP for full root and stun duration and amplifies your CP for prolonged fights.

Aegis - Can block any debuff if timed correctly and gives you a shield (The lower you are the higher the shield). Provides shield and health.

Atlas Pauldron - Slows down the attack speed of nearby enemies. Provides armour.

Journey Boots - Build this as your boots as if you hit an enemy while they're on CD, it will set the cooldown to 12 sec, allowing you to chase easier.

Core WP
Sorrowblade - Buffs your basic attacks and abilities. Get this first for a damage powerspike.

Sorrowblade - Since Lance doesn't benefit much from attack speed, get a 2nd Sorrowblade for the extra on-hit and ability damage.

Tyrant's Monocle - After you get 2 Sorrowblade your enemies will get armour, build this to crit and deal more damage.

Aegis - Can block any debuff if timed correctly and gives you a shield (The lower you are the higher the shield). Provides shield and health.

Atlas Pauldron - Slows down the attack speed of nearby enemies. Provides armour.

Journey Boots - Build this as your boots as if you hit an enemy while they're on CD, it will set the cooldown to 12 sec, allowing you to chase easier.

Situational
Tension Bow - Build this if you're ahead as the extra armour pierce and damage will allow you to play more aggressively. Sell it in the mid-game as it becomes ineffective.

Slumbering Husk - Build this against burst damage heroes who lack consistent damage after the initial burst (CP Glaive, CP Joule, CP Saw)

Metal Jacket - Build this against slow heavy hitters (WP Joule, WP Lance, WP Ozo, WP Taka)

War Treads - Build this if you want to be tankier and have no problems chasing down enemies.


Starting Items
WP
Weapon Blade - You have high weapon scalings and since Lance doesn't benefit much from attack, speed go for straight damaging items. Can be built into Tension Bow if you're ahead.

Weapon Blade - Lance doesn't benefit much from attack speed, go for straight damaging items.
CP
Weapon Blade - Even if you're CP, your WP scalings are higher so get this for extra damage and faster clear time Can be built into Tension Bow if you're ahead.

Crystal Bit - You're CP and all your core items have this as a component.

Why play Lance Jungle?

Both his CC abilities are easier to land in tight areas, and that's exactly what the jungle offers. There are so many walls in the jungle which help Lance execute his combos and his wall jumping makes him a beast at chasing down fleeing enemies. With his high early game scalings, he's a nightmare to encounter and if he starts to snowball, you better prepare to lose.

How to play

Since the jungle has been changed a bunch, jungle invasion is only possible until 4 min. Try to go for a Lvl 1 fight to force your opponents to back and steal their jungle. Just that already gives Lance such a huge advantage and if you just keep doing that, you'll gain lots of extra gold and your opponents wont dare to challenge you. Whenever you take the enemy's jungle, roam to lane to help out your laner and pressure tower. Go for the goldmine as often as you can to secure even more gold for your team.

Let us be brave for our friends

Alpha - she needs to stay on top of enemies, and your CC makes it easier for her. Her C is also a great combo with your A+B as she wont be able to miss it on stunned enemies.

Ardan - he can A you so you get a speed boost and run right into the enemy and you can push people into his C for a stun and damage.

Baron - his skillshots are slow and hard to land. With your CC he can easily land them to maximize his damage output.

Blackfeather - he's an amazing early game champion which also scales well into late game. Even with his high mobility, your A and B still allows him to stick to enemies and his B is great when you root enemies. If both of you snowball, it's very hard to stop you.

Catherine - her A makes it a lot easier for you to A or B them. You can easily execute ganks as she can A them and you use the rest of your CC to lock down the enemy.

Celeste - her AOE damage is insane, not only can she stun enemies herself, but you can do it for her so it'll become so much easier to deal the full damage of her A and C.

Flicker - like Lance, he focuses mainly on CC, both your kits allow you to land your abilities easily and lock enemies in place completely.

Gwen -her A offers a heavy slow so you can land your A easier and her C is a complete stun which you can combo into both your A and B.

Idris - his B can hit multiple enemies and it comes back. If he B into your A or B and there's 2 or more enemies, he'll most likely take down half their health .

Joule - her A can set up combos for your A and B and if you lock down the enemies with your CC, her ult will deal the full damage.

Kestrel - not only is she able to hyper carry, but you can push enemies into her B and C. Her A does a lot of AOE damage as well so she can easily take down rooted targets.

Koshka - her B does AOE damage so if you can land A or B on 2 enemies, she can take them down quickly. Her C also locks enemies in place allowing you to combo.

Krul - his biggest weakness is lack of mobility and Lance can keep enemies still, allowing Krul to build BP and B stacks.

Lyra - her B is an AOE slow making your A much easier to land. Her B also stops dashes so enemies can't use mobility abilities and you can B people into her B.

Ozo - his B can jump onto multiple people allowing him to deal lots of AOE damage, if you land your A or B he can easily jump between them with B.

Phinn - like Lance, Phinn specializes in CC so both of you can easily land your A and B when someone attacks.

Reim - he needs to stay on top of his targets to do any damage, use your A and B to keep enemies in place while he damages them.

Rona - like Krul and Reim she needs to stay on top of enemies and Lance helps a lot with it.

Samuel - his A and B can deal a lot of AOE when combined together, use your A and B to make his abilities easier to land.

SAW - SAW has limited mobility when's he's spun up. Use your A and B to keep enemies away from him while he dishes out constant damage.

Skaarf - he can keep decent range so use your A and B to lock enemies down to make it easier for him to land his A and B combo. His B also slows down enemies so he can B first for you to A and then he A for a burst of damage.

Skye - her A, B and C are extremely easy to land when someone is under CC. Constantly use your A and B to CC enemies and make it easy for her to give sustained damage rather than her burst.

Vox - his passive, B and C all have extreme synergy with your CC. If you CC 3 enemies at once with a CP Vox, there's a good chance they're not leaving alive.

TL:DR He's good with bursty heroes and high CC

Two steps forward one to the side, two steps forward one to the side

General tips

• Positioning is key as Lance, always look for flanking opportunities
• Learn how to cancel the auto-attack animation, that way you can deal damage and then move straightaway without waiting for the animation to finish
• Learn to use your consumables in the midst of battle
• Provide vision for the team, even as a laner/jungler, it will make it easier for you to plan your roots and stuns
• You're tanky, not unkillable, learn to pick the right fight
• You can 1v1 anyone in low levels, this comes with experience but if you see their carry alone you can sometimes kill him

Partisan's Technique

• Use this to CS in lane as it can pierce infinite number of enemies
• Try to position yourself so you're always hitting at least 2 enemies at once
• Applies on-hit effects only to the target
• Your auto-attack reaches slightly longer than your target, you can get hits in outside of your range

Impale

• You can jump small walls with this
• Basic attack after rooting as you'll hit multiple people
• Aim for where they will be rather than where they are now
• Use this out of the lane brush to gank the enemy laner
• Use this in lane a lot as there are minions to prevent you from stunning yourself

Gythian Wall

• Use it in the direction you want them to move (Use upward if you want to move them upwards)
• Use this straightaway after an auto-attack
• Blocks all negative effects if overdriven, use it to block stuns and other things eg. Solar Storm, Hellfire Brew

Combat Roll

• Never roll out of a lane brush and then A, it gives them enough time to hover their reflex block and use it if needed
• Use this to move around the fight and get better angles in a fight
• You can jump walls with this
• Use this to catch up with fleeing enemies
• Use this to roll out of base to get to your position faster

Crystal, power, and gold distract from true purpose

How to CS as Lance
Play Video


A and C wall jumping
Play Video

Note: any wall that is jumpable with your A is jumpable with your C

Conserve your energy, the fight approaches
Thanks for taking your time to read this. I hope to make this a permanent Lance guide, and I'll try updating it every single update if needed. For now enjoy the guide and be sure to rate it and leave feedback on how you think I could improve the guide.