An Allround Drake Guide For LoL

If you are anything like me, you are sick of hearing the LCS casters talk about the different drakes and argue over which one is better. Certain elemental drakes give easier to see benefits, but they all have unique buffs and their importance is hard to generalize in a game like League of Legends. This guide serves to teach you about each of the four Elemental Drakes (as well as the Elder Dragon) and the different scenarios in which they are best.

 

Cloud Drake:

The Cloud Drake is widely seen as the worst Drake to get. The reason for that is the buff it gives is one that is the least easy to identify while playing, however it is most certainly one that is useful in winning a game. Cloud Drake grants 25/50/75 bonus movement speed while out of combat (the current patched actually buffed this Drake's stats). 

When to take it?

Cloud Drake gets a bad rep... and it is not completely undeserved. This Drake is not always the best, however even though it shouldn't take priority, if you can take any Drake when possible. This Drake is best when you have a comp that is looking to catch people off-guard or if your team's focus will be on split pushing. The movement buff allows you to out rotate the enemy team - giving them no chance to react to your moves and/or forcing them to fight from behind. For split pushing teams, Cloud Drakes are best mixed with Mountain Drakes.

 

Mountain Drake:

The Mountain Drake grants 10/20/30% additional damage as true damage to epic monsters as well as turrets. I would personally put a decent amount of priority into this Drake as stacking these allow you to shred Baron.

When to take it?

This Drake is most effective in siege/split pushing comps. On top of that, it allows you to shred through Baron making it a high priority Drake. You should never let a Mountain Drake go without attempting to pressure it.

 

Ocean Drake:

Ocean Drake restores 4/8/12% of your missing health and missing mana over 5 seconds if not damaged by a champion or tower in the last 8 seconds.

When to take it?

This is an early game Drake. Since your buff is not affected by minion damage it is super beneficial during the early farming stage. It also allows jungle to clear more easily while maintaining a reasonable health for ganks/potential jungle fights. In the early stage of the game it is important to take this Drake. However, the later the game goes the less priority you should have on this one.

 

Infernal Drake:

This is everyone's favorite Drake as the buffs it gives you are easily noticed - granting 8/16/24% increased AP and AD.

When to take it?

You should always be contesting/taking this Drake. In the early stages of the game it allows you to possibly snowball. If you are ahead in the late game it allows you to push even further. If you are behind this closes the gap. It is always going to be a Drake that you want to take - even if it is just to deny it from the enemy team. 

 

Elder Dragon:

The Elder Dragon grants 45+ for every Elemental dragon stack in true damage on all spells and basic attacks against non-turrets over 3 seconds. The Elder Dragon spawns after 30 minutes and you should always contest it. Even if you failed to get a single Elemental dragon it is important to take this Dragon away from the opposing team. However, do so with caution. The Elder Dragon is often harder to take then Baron.

 

So... What is the best?

Have you even read this article?! In all seriousness each Drake has their own perks. However, some Drakes are only useful in specific scenarios/comps, in general here is my ranking for the Elemental Drakes:

- Mountain Drake
- Infernal Drake
- Ocean Drake
- Cloud Drake

Conclusion:

Every Drake has their pros. Focus on vision control around Drakes and fight accordingly, as all Drakes become strong especially if you manage to stack multiple ones. Also, stop fighting over which Drake is better.

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