League of Legends best Kog’Maw build guide On-hit/AP: Itemization, Counters, Strategy, and more

Kog’Maw’s best build paths and item options let him be versatile enough to have both an on-hit and AP playstyle in League of Legends 14.11. While he is traditionally piloted in the Bot Lane, you can look to flex him in Top and Mid, and sometimes even as a Support.

He is one of the harder ADCs to pick up at the moment. This is likely because of the lack of mobility tools, and how he takes a fair bit of time to become relevant in the game.

You will have to master his positioning during a teamfight to maximize his DPS output. Fortunately, Kog’Maw is very rewarding, and as he is a hyper-carry (irrespective of his build) he keeps growing more powerful the longer a game goes. 

Once mastered, Kog’Maw will help you have an easier time climbing the competitive ladder in League of Legends season 14.

Contents:

• Best Kog’Maw on-hit build
• Best Kog’Maw AP build
• Pro and Cons of playing Kog’Maw
• Kog’Maw tips and tricks for Early Game, Mid Game, and Late Game
• Kog’Maw counters, matchups, and Support synergy

League of Legends 14.11 Best Kog’Maw on-hit build

Runes 

Itemization

Spells

• Flash
• Cleanse/Barrier/Heal

Skill Unlock Priority

Q: Caustic Spittle	1							8		10		12	13
W: Bio-Arcane Barrage			3	4	5		7		9
E: Void Ooze		2												14	15		17	18
R: Living Artillery						6					11					16

League of Legends 14.11 Best Kog’Maw AP build

Runes 

Itemization

Spells

• Flash
• Cleanse/Barrier/Heal

Skill Unlock Priority

Q: Caustic Spittle	1							8		10		12	13
W: Bio-Arcane Barrage			3											14	15		17	18
E: Void Ooze		2		4	5		7		9
R: Living Artillery						6					11					16

Kog’Maw Pros and Cons in League of Legends Season 14

Pros:

• Kog’Maw is a hyper-carry who will keep getting stronger the longer a game goes in Riot’s MOBA. Once Kog’Maw has his best build done he will be able to shred through the enemy frontline with his Bio-Arcane Barrage while zoning away the enemy backline with his Living Artillery.
• Kog’Maw has a fair bit of versatility when it comes to itemization. He will be able to go down an on-hit or an AP build path based on his team composition. You can also put some tanky items on him in the Late Game, which will let him survive longer in a fight. 
• Kog’Maw has great wave clear once he has some of his core items done. He is very difficult to siege against and the enemy will generally have a tougher time taking objectives like Towers. Kog’Maw can also melt neutral objectives, hence, he is great at taking Drake and the Baron.

Cons:

• Kog’Maw has an incredibly weak Early Game. He needs extra attention from his Support to stay relevant in farm and XP. He is usually countered by most match-ups, so often times he is relegated to farming under the tower.
• Kog’Maw is one of the most mana-hungry champions in the game. You will often run out of mana with him in the laning phase as well as in teamfights, which will often force you to take a Recall. While some items and runes can make mana management easier, you will still have a tough time in the game especially if you are relying on Living Artillery.
• Kog’Maw’s squishy nature and lack of mobility tools make him very easy to engage on. He can be bursted down if caught out, and you will need to position him well if the enemy team has multiple backline threats. This is why Kog’Maw will often force his lane duo to pick an Enchanter Support, who can help him survive most engages.

How to play Kog’Maw: Tips and Tricks for League of Legends Season 14

Early Game:

• As mentioned, Kog’Maw’s Early Game is relatively weaker when compared to some of the other ADCs. He takes time to ramp up, so if you are not winning your lane then stick to last-hitting minions and securing tower plates when able. This will let you stay relevant in both farm and XP, making it easier to scale into the Mid Game.
• Kog’Maw is very mana-hungry, so if you are looking to poke and harass the enemy Bot Lane then use his Q and W to do it. Only use Kog’Maw’s E when your Jungler or Support is looking to engage onto the enemy team. It’s not a good idea to keep running out of mana and constantly having to base.
• Make sure that your lane is well-warded. It’s very easy to catch Kog’Maw out when he is pushing in the lane. His lack of mobility tools leaves him susceptible to ganks so make sure you and your Support are strategically putting up wards to catch out the enemy Jungler.

Mid Game:

• Kog’Maw starts being a bit more relevant in teamfights once he gets a few items under his belt. However, you will need to continue farming up a storm and help Kog’Maw get his best build done as soon as possible. So if you are playing Bot, rotate to Mid and look for priority there. If you are playing as a Mid Laner, rotate to the side lanes, and start pushing the waves in.
• Positioning is key with Kog’Maw during Mid Game teamfights and skirmishes. AP Kog’Maw will, however, have an easier time navigating a fight as he just looks to poke the enemy out. On-hit Kog’Maw needs to keep kiting in a fight so that he doesn’t get caught out by the enemy CC.
• Help your team take objectives. Kog’Maw is great at melting through the Baron and Drakes, so make sure to position around the pit when your team is calling for an objective take. Try not to be too aggressive with his R if the enemy looks to contest.

Late Game:

• Kog’Maw starts hitting like a truck in the Late Game. As he is a hyper-carry that keeps scaling th longer a game goes, you will be able to shred through the enemy team if Kog’Maw is given enough room to DPS. Use his W every chance you get to get as much damage down as possible during the start of a fights.
• If you are going AP, Kog’Maw’s living artillery will poke out the enemy carries from a screen away. However, it still consumes a lot of mana, so don’t be too trigger-happy with it. Pick your moments to maximize the amount of damage he can do with his abilities.
• Keep positioning behind your frontline and don’t get engaged on by the enemy. You will die instantly if the enemy CC finds you, so walk up only when their abilities are on a cooldown. You will need some practice to familiarize yourself with Kog’Maw’s positioning during a skirmish.

Kog’Maw counters, matchups, and Support synergy

Countered by:

• Caitlyn
• Varus (Lethality)
• Nautilus
• Blitzcrank
• Leona
• Pyke
• Draven
• Thresh
• Ezreal

Kog’Maw struggles in lane against engage and hook Supports, with ADCs who can poke him out of the lane.

Favorable Matchups:

• Sivir
• Zeri
• Yuumi
• Sona
• Jinx
• Janna
• Xayah

Kog’Maw will have a much easier time in the lane if he is up against the above picks.

Support Synergy:

• Lulu
• Thresh
• Zilean
• Nami
• Milio
• Karma
• Braum
• Tahm Kench

Kog’Maw’s kit pairs extremely well with most Enchanter and Tank Supports.