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Vulcan: I don't meld minds, but i do melt faces(Arena updated 7.5)

38 5 233,088
8.1
by silentshell updated June 17, 2020

Smite God: Vulcan

Build Guide Discussion 70 More Guides
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Vulcan Build

Primary Build First 5 Items

Notes pick situational item for 6th spot

Notes

pick situational item for 6th spot

Build Item Shoes of Focus Shoes of Focus
Build Item Chronos' Pendant Chronos' Pendant
Build Item Soul Reaver Soul Reaver
Build Item Charon's Coin Charon's Coin
Build Item Rod of Tahuti Rod of Tahuti

Situational

Build Item Soul Gem Soul Gem
Build Item Ethereal Staff Ethereal Staff
Build Item Gem of Isolation Gem of Isolation
Build Item Pythagorem's Piece Pythagorem's Piece
Build Item Winged Blade Winged Blade
Build Item Celestial Legion Helm Celestial Legion Helm
Build Item Void Stone Void Stone
Build Item Stone of Fal Stone of Fal
Build Item Magi's Cloak Magi's Cloak
Build Item Mantle of Discord Mantle of Discord

Secondary Build

Build Item Shoes of Focus Shoes of Focus
Build Item Spear of Desolation Spear of Desolation
Build Item Chronos' Pendant Chronos' Pendant
Build Item Soul Reaver Soul Reaver
Build Item Charon's Coin Charon's Coin
Build Item Rod of Tahuti Rod of Tahuti

Healing/Regen

Build Item Shoes of Focus Shoes of Focus
Build Item Chronos' Pendant Chronos' Pendant
Build Item Divine Ruin Divine Ruin
Build Item Soul Reaver Soul Reaver
Build Item Charon's Coin Charon's Coin
Build Item Rod of Tahuti Rod of Tahuti

Tanky/Healing Counter

Build Item Shoes of Focus Shoes of Focus
Build Item Spear of Desolation Spear of Desolation
Build Item Divine Ruin Divine Ruin
Build Item Chronos' Pendant Chronos' Pendant
Build Item Soul Reaver Soul Reaver
Build Item Charon's Coin Charon's Coin

Vulcan's Skill Order

Backfire

1 X Y
Backfire
1 4 6 7 10

Inferno Cannon

2 A B
Inferno Cannon
3 15 16 18 19

Magma Bomb

3 B A
Magma Bomb
2 8 11 12 14

Earthshaker

4 Y X
Earthshaker
5 9 13 17 20
Backfire
1 4 6 7 10

Backfire

1 X
Vulcan blasts a fireball out of his Forge, pushing him back and dealing damage to all enemies in its path, marking the first god that is hit. The Inferno Cannon prioritizes the marked target and deals 15% more damage to that god.

Ability Type: Projectile, Dash
Damage: 90 / 130 / 170 / 210 / 250 (+70% of your Magical Power)
Mark Lifetime: 4s
Cost: 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60
Cooldown: 8 / 7.5 / 7 / 6.5 / 6s
Inferno Cannon
3 15 16 18 19

Inferno Cannon

2 A
Vulcan constructs an Inferno Cannon that shoots fireballs in a cone that deal damage to the target every second. The Inferno Cannon lasts until destroyed or another is placed. This inherits Vulcan's penetrations but does not apply on-hit effects. Inferno Cannon takes 50% additional damage from non-god sources.

Ability Type: Pet
Damage: 45 / 75 / 105 / 135 / 165 (+40% of your Magical Power)
Health: 220 / 300 / 380 / 460 / 540
Protections: 5 / 15 / 25 / 35 / 45
Cost: 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70
Cooldown: 10s
Magma Bomb
2 8 11 12 14

Magma Bomb

3 B
Vulcan tosses a bomb that explodes in a radius on impact with the ground, damaging and knocking back nearby enemies.

Ability Type: Ground Target
Damage: 80 / 130 / 180 / 230 / 280 (+80% of your Magical Power)
Radius: 15
Cost: 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70
Cooldown: 10s
Earthshaker
5 9 13 17 20

Earthshaker

4 Y
Vulcan launches a rocket that explodes on impact with the ground. The rocket starts at 80% strength, and increases in damage the further it travels from Vulcan.

Ability Type: Ground
Damage: 400 / 520 / 640 / 760 / 880 (+130% of your Magical Power)
Radius: 30
Cost: 80 / 90 / 100 / 110 / 120
Cooldown: 90 / 85 / 80 / 75 / 70s

Welcome to my guide

Hello everyone, and thank you for taking a look at this guide for Vulcan in Arena. I am a casual player who just plays Arena and occasionally joust for now. Vulcan can be a very fun mage to play, despite not being an traditional nuke type mage. As with any mage, when built well he can dish out a lot of damage and his passive is really helpful for escaping from or closing on enemies and gives a bit of sustain from the mp5 it gives.

Build/Item Placement


I wanted to start off with a bit of cooldown and extra mana early.



This item fulfills 2 of my major needs for my build while also giving a good chunk of magical power. 20% CDR plus the passive help keep your abilities online early plus you get some early sustain from the mp5. Add in Vulcan's passive and by the time i get Rod of Tahuti online he pretty much never has any Mana problems(at least for me anyways).


A good boost in power plus the passive to get even more damage in and now with the 10% pen that was added to it with season 7 i feel like this is a no brainer mid to late match in a lot of my builds.


This item gives a nice boost to power, and while not as big of a boost as some other items the utility it provides is why i like it here. This gives you +20 mp5 and mp5 is a critical component to a lot of my vulcan builds. I like being able to make as much use of my high cdr builds as possible by not wasting it because i don't have enough mp5 to use my abilities. The passive also is useful because it has good synergy with his passive with the extra movement which will further help with escaping from or closing on enemies or boosting sustain a bit in team/solo fights.


This is a really great item for me in a lot of my builds. The amount of power it gives is very nice but the passive really does add a lot to what you can do in team and solo fights with all of his abilities. The mp5 it adds to what you have already built with Chronos' Pendant and Charon's Coin helps your ability to continue the sustain you have built up in the late game as well. This is just an overall great item for him late.


any of the situationals listed below this build can help you late depending on what you are trying to do or defend against when you get to the end of your build. The Celestial Legion Helm or Void Stone specifically can actually be placed in at the 3rd or 4th spot in your build if you feel like you need some extra protections earlier in the match.


Passive and Skill Leveling




I have been using a skill sequence i picked up from another build when i first started playing Vulcan but it still makes sense to me.



Get this leveled up first because it is your easiest to aim ability and also works with your Inferno Cannon to increase your damage output vs the other team and their minions. This is also going to be your more reliable minion clear as you transition to mid and late game, usually. Just make sure that you hit the minions when they are still lined up or it will not be as effective.



I have this to level up second because even though it is a mini AOE, it can be hard to hit with and it is usually not as good for minion clear. It is a very versatile ability, for use with attacking, escaping, and disrupting the flow of the enemy team in fights. I can see this being a valid option for leveling up first but i just prefer getting the Backfire up and running first.



I level this third because it is a static tool for damage that can be destroyed pretty easily. the damage from it is helpful and the damage bonus from Backfire when applicable is noticeable, even early game. i was surprised by how often i can get a kill off of it, especially when the backfire buff is in effect.


This is leveled up last pretty because as your ult it can't be maxed out until 20 and also, unless you can get perfect to near perfect aim every time with it you will get more consistent damage from your other abilities as you level them up through the match.

Vulcan Arena Gameplay

Ok, so here are some key points to go over for Arena play. Some of these I am sure you can use in other modes as well.

Yes, Vulcan is a mage. Yes, Vulcan can do some great damage if a lot of things come together. If you want to be successful with him, as the saying goes, patience is a virtue.

The things:

1. Build, it's why you're here. duh!

2. You have to hit with your abilities as much as possible. Missed abilities are missed opportunity for damage/kills/teammate saves/overall disruption of opposing team battle flow.

3. Set your Inferno Cannon at every opportunity. Even if it CAN be destroyed easily, that doesn't mean it will be. The other team will not always destroy it and with proper placement you can keep minions from destroying it.

4. Make sure to use your Backfire as much as possible. There is a bit of restraint due to considering positioning of your Inferno Cannon and trying to lead an enemy or seeing an opportunity appear for you to tag them in view of it.

5. As with the Inferno Cannon and Backfire use your magma bombs at every opportunity. Just make sure you work on your timing and angles so that you can still hit moving targets effectively. .

6. Earthshaker can be a fun ability. it can also be a maddening one. Usually up close there are minimal problems getting it to go where you want it, but it can be more difficult the farther you are away from your target(s).

7. Important keys to success in general. Don't rush in. If you have opportunities, take them but don't go wading into the middle of the enemy team. Be aware of opposing team composition because even if you stay back there are gods that can get to you and do damage either physically or with their abilities. Balance keeping minions in check with helping your team stay out of tight spots and securing kills.

I hope that these tips help and that you have fun playing as Vulcan. I know i am having a blast playing him.

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0
Yes2Yeshua | October 3, 2020 10:33am
Vulcan is my main, and I go unconventional. My build used to be boots warlock staff book of dead chronos reaver tahuti. But I completely skip boots now and I forgot what I replaced them with... Something cdr. Then i focus on getting turret by level 9. Just sit back and relax.
1
Kriega1 (143) | June 8, 2020 8:04am
I'd get Reaver before Charon's, even against tanky comps.
1
Yes2Yeshua | October 3, 2020 10:36am
The guaranteed damage is great
1
silentshell (5) | June 8, 2020 9:15am
Kriega1 wrote:
I'd get Reaver before Charon's, even against tanky comps.


I can definitely see that as being useful. This was also not long after Charon's came out and before i have seen you can still pretty easily get your full stacks with it in the 5th slot. I was also considering the cost vs other items but that was also I think before they reduced the price of Chronos' Pendant as well so my early build isn't really held up as much anymore. I will go ahead and make that switch.
1
TheShiningRod1 | August 4, 2019 3:00pm
So Why soul gem over Bancroft? Is it just because it's for arena? I noticed on a janus build it was soul gem instead of Bancroft, is SG the new meta?
1
silentshell (5) | August 4, 2019 6:15pm
So Why soul gem over Bancroft? Is it just because it's for arena? I noticed on a janus build it was soul gem instead of Bancroft, is SG the new meta?


What Kriega said, he suggested it and it works pretty well. I replace with Obsidian Shard if i feel i need to.
1
Kriega1 (143) | August 4, 2019 3:57pm
Soul gem is for the burst proc/heal and 10% cdr. You don’t have to get lifesteal though, it’s just an option.
1
TheShiningRod1 | August 6, 2019 10:45am
Ah right, cheers both :)
1
silentshell (5) | May 21, 2019 8:18am
Well, i have cleaned the build up and made a few other changes. The last section still may be a bit wordy but I cleaned it up a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooot. I will really have to go back and look at it later if that is still a problem, but i feel a lot better about it now.
1
Kriega1 (143) | May 24, 2019 5:25pm
Still don't think you need Rod 4th item in those 2 certain builds.
1
silentshell (5) | May 20, 2019 2:16pm
alright, i have messed with editing a bit, but it is probably still a bit of an eyesore, but i did what i could for now. thank you again for all of the input everyone.
1
Gulfwulf (81) | May 20, 2019 7:03pm
Terrible guide with even worse editing. -1.

Just kidding, Shell, though this could do with some BBCoding.
1
silentshell (5) | May 20, 2019 9:27pm
Gulfwulf wrote:
Terrible guide with even worse editing. -1.

Just kidding, Shell, though this could do with some BBCoding.


thanks Gulf. I did a bit of lighter stuff, but I was trying to figure out how to chop that big arena strategy section but the tools i was sent to did not seem to give a good explanation of how to line up lists, bullet points, etc....
Load more comments (8 more replies) →
1
silentshell (5) | May 20, 2019 12:57pm
real quick because of info i had gotten on lifesteal i did not even consider any lifesteal items, so based on what Kriega told me on that I put a mod on the first build with Kriega's listed second for no tank/protections build. I modified my original build to add in Soul Stone in place of Ethereal but changed build order. So my final build would look like I still have the core 4 items because i want the mp5 early to keep out on the field as much as possible but put Soul Stone at the 5 and Soul Reaver at the 6? Does that seem valid or are all of you going to push Tahuti to the 6? and soul to the 4th? :P
1
Kriega1 (143) | May 20, 2019 1:17pm
in your first build swap tahuti and soul reaver around.
1
silentshell (5) | May 20, 2019 1:24pm
Kriega1 wrote:
in your first build swap tahuti and soul reaver around.
i would but on that build i want the mp5 online asap. As mentioned in the build i'm compromising on certain traditional trends to get the pen/cdr/mp5 all up as soon as possible because i am focusing more on general support and sustainability and i feel like so far the build is working how it is intended. I will probably still keep it first but i have your other build in as a build vs no protections and then after more feedback on the build i was just asking about put it in as another option.
Load more comments (8 more replies) →
1
Branmuffin17 (394) | May 20, 2019 12:33pm
Hey silent,

In Arena, and with Vulc, as long as you have at least some flat pen early (as you do with Magi and Deso), I think a semi-rush on Rod of Tahuti isn't necessarily bad, but I'd probably only consider when you're basically fed and continuing to be aggressive. When you do need Divine Ruin, though, I would prioritize it over Tahuti.

Obsidian Shard doesn't have to be before Tahuti either, but it really just depends on how much of a pain those tanky gods are. If there's more than 1, they're doing their job, building lots of magical protections (always check enemy builds), and being in your face (preventing you from easily poking/killing the squishy enemies), then you'd definitely prioritize Obsidian Shard as early as 4th or 5th, with a later Tahuti.

I would just completely drop Book of the Dead from your options...it's only really good if you get a lot of items with mana, namely Book of Thoth. Your survivability options should probably just be Ethereal Staff, Magi's Cloak, and maybe Mantle of Discord (if you get enemies that try to gank you up close).

Soul Reaver would probably be a last item pickup for me, if/when I do build it.

I also probably wouldn't suggest the chalices, but if you like them, keep them. As for relics, probably don't suggest anything but Beads/Aegis, but I could see making a case for Phantom Veil against an Odin. Actually, I can see the use of Wings also...but wouldn't suggest Horrific.

As for your writeup:
  • I like your explanations for the skill leveling priority.

  • So you don't just have a gray wall of text, you might think about using the tools at the top...at least consider a color highlight on topics...example:
Hitting With Your Abilities

Here's the code example for that, but just keep in mind, these are all things you can do with the tools at the top of the text box):

code
  • One good use for the ult is the minotaur. If you're close to pushing it in, you can use a long distance ult as a huge zoning tool...they have to choose to stay close, take a lot of damage, and try to prevent the minotaur from going through the portal, or back out and let it go in.
Overall, good general itemization (purchase order perhaps can use a bit of adjustment) and a good writeup.
1
silentshell (5) | May 20, 2019 12:42pm
Branmuffin17 wrote:
Hey silent,

In Arena, and with Vulc, as long as you have at least some flat pen early (as you do with Magi and Deso), I think a semi-rush on Rod of Tahuti isn't necessarily bad, but I'd probably only consider when you're basically fed and continuing to be aggressive. When you do need Divine Ruin, though, I would prioritize it over Tahuti.

Obsidian Shard doesn't have to be before Tahuti either, but it really just depends on how much of a pain those tanky gods are. If there's more than 1, they're doing their job, building lots of magical protections (always check enemy builds), and being in your face (preventing you from easily poking/killing the squishy enemies), then you'd definitely prioritize Obsidian Shard as early as 4th or 5th, with a later Tahuti.

I would just completely drop Book of the Dead from your options...it's only really good if you get a lot of items with mana, namely Book of Thoth. Your survivability options should probably just be Ethereal Staff, Magi's Cloak, and maybe Mantle of Discord (if you get enemies that try to gank you up close).

Soul Reaver would probably be a last item pickup for me, if/when I do build it.

I also probably wouldn't suggest the chalices, but if you like them, keep them. As for relics, probably don't suggest anything but Beads/Aegis, but I could see making a case for Phantom Veil against an Odin. Actually, I can see the use of Wings also...but wouldn't suggest Horrific.

As for your writeup:
  • I like your explanations for the skill leveling priority.

  • So you don't just have a gray wall of text, you might think about using the tools at the top...at least consider a color highlight on topics...example:
Hitting With Your Abilities

Here's the code example for that, but just keep in mind, these are all things you can do with the tools at the top of the text box):

code
  • One good use for the ult is the minotaur. If you're close to pushing it in, you can use a long distance ult as a huge zoning tool...they have to choose to stay close, take a lot of damage, and try to prevent the minotaur from going through the portal, or back out and let it go in.
Overall, good general itemization (purchase order perhaps can use a bit of adjustment) and a good writeup.


Thanks for the feedback Bran. I am getting some feedback but light and day from when i jumped right in with my off meta Bellona build. I feel like I half way know what i'm doing now at least. lol. I will definitely look at the code. mysterion suggested that as well. One of those things i'm still new too, being only my second guide and all. lol. On the minotaur and the ult I didn't really think of that because my aim from far is not all that great and i have in my head not to really use it unless i am pretty sure i can hit more than the broad side of a barn with it. lol. With the Chalices i suggested they weren't necessary and they could be sold later if you do get them. I just like the extra bit they allow me to stay out and support and kill minions. it doesn't seem like much but I normally have enough to harass while my team does their thing and it saves multiple trips back to base early while i am still contributing.
1
xmysterionz (71) | May 20, 2019 12:31pm
Now it seems pretty nice, you have my +1.

I would just recommend you apply some BBCode on your guide to make it look better for readers than just a lot of words together. You may find help here and here.
1
silentshell (5) | May 20, 2019 12:32pm
xmysterionz wrote:
Now it seems pretty nice, you have my +1.

I would just recommend you apply some BBCode on your guide to make it look better for readers than just a lot of words together. You may find help here and here.


Thanks :)
1
Kriega1 (143) | May 20, 2019 12:21pm
Ok im just gonna list re-done builds here so it's easier:

"my build": Magi shoes, deso, reaver, soul gem, divine, tahuti. This is if no tanks and no one building prots in the match.

"vs tanky": fine the way it is.

"vs healing/regen": pen boots, chronos', divine, reaver, deso, tahuti. This is if no tanks and no one building prots in the match.

"vs Tanky and Healing/Regen": pen boots, chronos', divine, obs shard, reaver, deso.
1
Kriega1 (143) | May 20, 2019 12:16pm
I think the "My build" needs changes. This build seems suited for squishies so im not sure E-staff is really that necessary.

I would remove chronos' pendant, and go something like: Shoes of the Magi, Spear of Desolation, Soul Reaver, Soul Gem, Divine Ruin (just for the flat pen), Rod of Tahuti.
1
silentshell (5) | May 20, 2019 12:28pm
Kriega1 wrote:
I think the "My build" needs changes. This build seems suited for squishies so im not sure E-staff is really that necessary.

I would remove chronos' pendant, and go something like: Shoes of the Magi, Spear of Desolation, Soul Reaver, Soul Gem, Divine Ruin (just for the flat pen), Rod of Tahuti.


I really like my build, but with that group heal from the soul gem i could list that as a group support build?
1
Kriega1 (143) | May 20, 2019 12:34pm
You're mainly buying Soul Gem for the burst proc, the group heal is a bonus.
Load more comments (1 more replies) →
1
silentshell (5) | May 20, 2019 12:14pm
also, i didn't put a build up with book of the dead in it because i was going to get input first, i was figuring it was same base build but ethereal at the 5 and book of the dead at the 6? or am i way off.
1
Kriega1 (143) | May 20, 2019 12:18pm
If you're going to get E-staff you would get it in the "Vs Tanky" instead of tahuti.
1
Kriega1 (143) | May 20, 2019 12:11pm
Also Chalice is worthless in arena and you need more situationals: dynasty, celestial helm, void stone, stone of fal, winged blade, magi's cloak, mantle of discord, gem of iso, soul gem.
1
silentshell (5) | May 20, 2019 12:15pm
Kriega1 wrote:
Also Chalice is worthless in arena and you need more situationals: dynasty, celestial helm, void stone, stone of fal, winged blade, magi's cloak, mantle of discord, gem of iso, soul gem.


Yeah, I was looking at armor stuff and i saw a bit of stuff that he could be built bruiser but i got the sense that most just would rather build him as pen/damage so i didn't add anymore other than what i was pretty locked in to being good choices.
1
silentshell (5) | May 20, 2019 12:18pm
i was thinking about winged blade situationally but didn't know if it was worth giving up another item. I do like the helms, voidstone and fal and had heavily considered a build with fal when i was testing but veered clear due to what i mentioned in my quote of your post. Also, on the lifesteal what i looked up online said lifesteal wasn't worth it on him so i didn't even test it.
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League of Legends Build Guide Author silentshell
Vulcan: I don't meld minds, but i do melt faces(Arena updated 7.5)
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