Guan Yu - Mage Slayer / Brawler

This is my first build submission on this site. As should be evident, given the title, this is a build that performs well in extended brawls and at killing mages.

I came up with it with random speculation when I found out that the Shield of Regrowth was a thing that existed. I wondered if I could do a build that was defensive purely on the grounds that the user had crazy regeneration, and not with high health or protections. Unfortunately, other than the Mail of Renewal, which doesn't really help in said setting, there are only really two items that are good for that, so I topped it off with life steal. Quite a few games in and it's performed very well for me.

I really like the setup I have, and most of the time, it works fine, but there are times when it helps to switch up the order of the buys. I like to start with Stone of Gaia to be tanky to start with, but it could easily be switched with the boots. And I like to make up for that with Jotunn's Wrath as my third, but again, it could easily be switched with Shield of Regrowth. Doesn't matter whether you get Bloodforge or Soul Eater first.

And yes, the concept of this build is regeneration and life steal, but then I take two items that have neither. Ninja Tabi and Jotunn's Wrath, but the reason should be pretty obvious: For max CDR. That treats you really well in a brawl, but it also makes you pretty mana hungry. Which is why I don't suggest this build in Assault, Salvation or not.

I didn't enter the skill progression because I don't think it's very important. It really depends on how you like to level Guan. Personally, I like to go pretty even and weigh on his 3 and his 1, but if, say, you don't heal much, y'might wanna leave your 1 at first level until later game.

With this build, you are not a tank. And you are not an assassin. Your job is to initiate and harass the mage or chase down anyone trying to escape in team fights. In Conquest, I would suggest going either Solo or Jungle with this build. In Mid, you'll just be out ranged. And while it's possible to support, you won't excel at it.

I've said a number of times that this build is good at killing mages. As Guan Yu, you're already naturally mobile, allowing you to stay in combat with them. On top of that, you have high regeneration and life steal, which, when coupled with the magical protection from your regeneration items, makes you almost unkillable by them. I've had quite a few times where I was worried I'd die at the hands of an Ao Kuang/Kukulkan ult, then been surprised that it hardly hurt. Your basic attacks will be in the hundreds by late game. 212 damage according to the in game Item Builder when the build is finished.

Pros:

• Decent mid game
• Strong late game
• Very strong against mages
• Strong against other warriors
• Can fight tanks
• Good at brawling
• Max CDR

• Mediocre early game
• Difficulty against assassins and hunters
• Vulnerable to CC (buy beads)