Diana Guide

To excel as Diana in League of Legends, you need to master her burst combo, optimize your build and runes, understand effective laning and roaming strategies, and execute precise team fight engagements, much like a tactician who leverages their strengths to dominate both early and late stages of battle.

The Big Picture

Diana is an AP assassin and fighter, excelling at bursting down squishy targets and initiating team fights. Her strength lies in her ability to quickly close the gap and deal massive area-of-effect (AoE) damage. Think of Diana as a powerful, moon-wielding warrior who can turn the tide of battle with her explosive combos and mobility.

Core Concepts

1. Combo Execution: Mastering Diana's abilities to maximize damage output.
2. Build and Runes: Optimizing your item and rune choices for different scenarios.
3. Laning Phase: Effective farming, trading, and securing kills.
4. Roaming: Using Diana's mobility to influence other lanes.
5. Team Fighting: Positioning and engaging in team fights to maximize impact.

Detailed Walkthrough

Combo Execution

Executing Diana's combos is like choreographing a dance: timing and precision are key to maximizing her burst damage.

1. Basic Combo: The core of Diana's burst is her combo: Q (Crescent Strike) → R (Lunar Rush) → E (Moonfall) → W (Pale Cascade). Use Q to mark targets, R to dash, W for shield and damage, and E to pull enemies.

2. Double R Combo: Post level 6, Diana’s R can be used twice: Q (Crescent Strike) → R (Lunar Rush) → auto-attack → R (Lunar Rush) again. The second R has no cooldown if the first R hits a Q-marked target.

Build and Runes

Optimizing Diana's build and runes is like selecting the right tools for a job, ensuring maximum efficiency and impact.

1. Core Items: Start with Nashor's Tooth for attack speed and on-hit damage. Follow with Hextech Rocketbelt for gap-closing and burst, Zhonya’s Hourglass for survivability, and Rabadon’s Deathcap for maximum AP.

2. Situational Items: Choose items like Banshee’s Veil for magic resistance, Void Staff for magic penetration, or Morellonomicon for healing reduction.

3. Runes:

   • Primary: Electrocute for burst damage, or Conqueror for sustained fights.
   • Secondary: Resolve for added survivability (Bone Plating, Shield Bash) or Inspiration for utility (Biscuit Delivery, Time Warp Tonic).

Laning Phase

The laning phase is about establishing dominance and setting up for later stages, like laying a strong foundation.

1. Farming: Use your passive (Moonsilver Blade) for empowered auto-attacks to last-hit minions efficiently. Your W (Pale Cascade) helps in both farming and trading.

2. Trading: Poke with Q (Crescent Strike) and follow up with an auto-attack. Use W (Pale Cascade) to mitigate damage while trading.

3. Kill Potential: At level 6, look for opportunities to all-in with your R (Lunar Rush). Ensure the enemy is marked by Q before engaging.

Roaming

Roaming effectively with Diana is like deploying a secret weapon to unexpected locations.

1. When to Roam: Roam when your lane is pushed, or when the enemy mid laner recalls. Look for opportunities to help your jungler or secure kills in top or bot lane.

2. Execution: Use Q to scout and mark targets from fog of war, then engage with R for a surprise burst. Coordinate with your team for maximum impact.

Team Fighting

In team fights, Diana acts as both an initiator and a burst damage dealer, akin to a shock trooper leading the charge.

1. Positioning: Flank from the side or backline to catch the enemy by surprise. Avoid engaging from the front where you can be easily targeted.

2. Engage: Look for clustered enemies to maximize your E (Moonfall) pull. Use R to dive onto high-value targets like ADCs or mages.

3. Survivability: Utilize Zhonya’s Hourglass after diving in to avoid getting burst down and to allow your team to follow up.

Understanding Through an Example

Let’s use an example to illustrate playing Diana:

1. Early Game: Start with Doran’s Ring and Health Potions. Farm with auto-attacks and Q, trading with W. At level 6, look for an all-in opportunity with Q → R → W → E → R.

2. Roaming: After pushing your wave, roam to bot lane where your team has set up vision. Engage with Q → R and follow with E → W to maximize your burst and secure kills.

3. Team Fight: In a team fight near Dragon, flank the enemy team. Engage with Q → R on the backline, then use E to pull in multiple enemies and finish with W. Use Zhonya’s if you’re focused.

Conclusion and Summary

To be a better Diana player, focus on mastering her combos, optimizing your build and runes, effectively managing the laning phase, making impactful roams, and executing precise team fight engagements. By honing these skills and adapting your playstyle to the game state, you can maximize Diana's potential and carry your team to victory.

Test Your Understanding

1. What is Diana's primary burst combo and how does it work?
2. Which items are core to Diana's build, and why?
3. Describe a scenario where roaming as Diana would be advantageous.
4. How should Diana position herself in team fights for maximum impact?

Reference

For further learning, check out guides on Mobalytics for in-depth champion insights and ProGuides for advanced strategies and gameplay tips.