Dominate the Rift with Urgot: A League of Legends Guide
Urgot, the Dreadnought, is a formidable champion in League of Legends who brings devastation to the battlefield with his unique blend of ranged damage, crowd control, and fearsome execution ability. Once a Noxian executioner, his transformation into a mechanical monstrosity has given him immense power.
Urgot, the Dreadnought. (Credit: Riot Games)This guide dives into Urgot’s lore, abilities, itemization, and gameplay strategies to help players unleash his full potential.
The Lore of Urgot
Urgot began as a high-ranking executioner in Noxus, serving the empire with ruthless efficiency. However, his loyalty was betrayed by Jericho Swain, who saw Urgot as a threat to his rise to power. Sent under false pretenses to Zaun, Urgot was captured by Chem-Barons and imprisoned in the Dredge, a chemtech mine where he endured years of torment.
Instead of succumbing to despair, Urgot embraced the pain, seeing it as a source of strength. Over time, he replaced his frail human parts with machinery, becoming a hybrid of man and machine. With his newfound power, he led an uprising in the Dredge, plunging the prison into chaos. Emerging as a symbol of Zaun's fury, Urgot now seeks to purge the unworthy and reshape Zaun through fear and pain.
Urgot was kept under chains, but his drive never wavered. (Credit: Riot Games)Urgot’s Abilities
Passive: Echoing Flames
Urgot’s six mechanical legs each house a shotgun that fires in an arc. His next attack against an enemy within a leg’s arc triggers the shotgun, dealing area-of-effect physical damage. Each leg has its own cooldown, creating opportunities for Urgot to continuously reposition for maximum damage output.
For example, when fighting melee champions like Darius, use Echoing Flames by strafing around the enemy, ensuring consistent damage from different legs while minimizing incoming attacks.
Q: Corrosive Charge
Urgot launches a canister to a target location that explodes after a brief delay, dealing physical damage and slowing all enemies hit. This ability excels at poking during the laning phase and controlling enemy movement during teamfights.
Against champions with high mobility like Yasuo, Corrosive Charge can be used to slow their escape, setting up follow-up attacks or crowd control.
W: Purge
Urgot equips his machine gun and automatically fires at the nearest target for 4 seconds. While firing, he gains slow resistance but moves more slowly himself. Purge prioritizes champions marked by Urgot’s other abilities and refreshes the mark with every shot. At max rank, Purge becomes a toggleable ability, providing infinite uptime.
This ability is devastating in prolonged fights. For example, against tanks like Ornn, Purge can shred through their health over time while allowing Urgot to maintain pressure with consistent damage.
E: Disdain
Urgot dashes forward, shielding himself and knocking enemies aside. If he collides with a champion, he flings them behind him, stunning them briefly. Disdain is an excellent tool for engaging enemies or peeling for allies.
For instance, when facing assassins like Zed, use Disdain to disrupt their dive attempts and protect vulnerable teammates like your ADC.
R: Fear Beyond Death
Urgot’s ultimate fires a chem-drill that impales the first enemy champion hit, dealing damage and slowing them. If the target’s health falls below 25%, Urgot can recast the ability, executing them and causing nearby enemies to flee in fear.
This ability is iconic for its sheer brutality. Against squishy champions like Jhin, Fear Beyond Death serves as a reliable finisher that also disrupts the enemy team’s positioning during fights.
Itemization for Urgot
Early Game
Urgot’s early game revolves around sustain and wave control. Start with Doran’s Blade for health and damage or Doran’s Shield against poke-heavy opponents like Teemo. Building into Phage and Plated Steelcaps ensures he can endure trades and survive ganks.
For example, against aggressive top laners like Renekton, the additional health and armor from early defensive items help Urgot maintain lane dominance.
Mid Game
As teamfights become frequent, Urgot benefits from Titanic Hydra for waveclear and damage, and Black Cleaver for armor shredding. These items amplify Purge’s effectiveness while allowing Urgot to deal with tanks and squishies alike.
In games where the enemy team has heavy crowd control, consider Mercury’s Treads and Sterak’s Gage to improve survivability.
Late Game
Urgot shines in the late game with his mix of tankiness and consistent damage. Items like Thornmail or Randuin’s Omen counter AD-heavy compositions, while Maw of Malmortius provides protection against burst magic damage.
When dealing with hypercarries like Kai’Sa, combine Frozen Heart and Guardian Angel to withstand their damage and continue pressuring key targets during extended fights.
Strategies for Playing Urgot
Laning Phase
Urgot excels in short trades during the laning phase. Use Echoing Flames and Corrosive Charge to poke and zone opponents while avoiding prolonged engagements early on. Against champions with predictable dashes, like Aatrox, Disdain can serve as a reliable countermeasure to stop their aggression.
To maintain lane control, focus on last-hitting minions with Purge and use your shotguns to harass enemies who overextend. Be cautious about mana usage, as Corrosive Charge and Disdain can leave you vulnerable if spammed carelessly.
Mid Game
In the mid game, Urgot becomes a potent initiator. Look for opportunities to engage with Disdain, especially when paired with allies who have follow-up crowd control, like Leona. Use Fear Beyond Death to secure kills on low-health targets and break apart the enemy formation during fights.
For example, in teamfights, target squishy champions like the enemy ADC with Fear Beyond Death. Even if they escape the execution, the slow and disruption create openings for your team to capitalize on.
Urgot's ultimate, Fear Beyond Death, can be a devastating tool when timed right. (Credit: Riot Games)Late Game
Urgot’s late-game impact comes from his ability to soak damage and pressure the backline. Position yourself in the frontline during teamfights, using Purge and Titanic Hydra to dish out consistent damage while maintaining durability.
When split-pushing, Urgot can 1v1 many champions thanks to his high sustained damage and survivability. Use his shotguns to clear waves quickly and join fights with Teleport when necessary.
Tips for Mastering Urgot
- Always reposition during fights to maximize the use of Echoing Flames. Strafe around enemies to ensure each shotgun fires efficiently.
- Use Corrosive Charge to slow fleeing enemies and set up follow-up attacks with Purge or Disdain.
- Pair Urgot with crowd-control-heavy allies like Sejuani or Nautilus to enhance his effectiveness in teamfights.
- Manage your mana wisely during the laning phase. Avoid spamming abilities unnecessarily to ensure you have resources for critical moments.
- In teamfights, prioritize low-health targets for Fear Beyond Death, creating chaos among enemies with its fear effect.
Urgot is a champion who thrives in chaos, embodying both the power of pain and the inevitability of death. With the right strategy and positioning, players can dominate the Rift and strike fear into the hearts of their enemies.
Image source: Riot Games