The question that often sparks debate and intrigue in the realm of competitive gaming is Can Vex Be A Follower? This seemingly simple inquiry delves into the very core of strategic positioning, team synergy, and the dynamic evolution of gameplay. Understanding whether Vex, the champion known for her disruptive abilities and potent offense, can effectively operate in a follower role is crucial for any aspiring tactician.
The Follower’s Path What It Means for Vex
For Vex to truly function as a follower, her kit and typical playstyle need a significant reinterpretation. Normally, Vex excels at being the primary threat, weaving through enemy lines with her Nether Grasp and Shadow Surge, seeking out vulnerable targets. Her passive, also named “The Bad Witch’s Familiar,” grants her cooldown reduction on her abilities when she damages champions, incentivizing aggressive engagement. However, a follower’s role is typically about supporting the primary damage dealers or tanks, providing utility, or peeling for carries. This means Vex would need to prioritize positioning herself behind her team, using her abilities defensively or to set up opportunities for others rather than directly initiating or assassinating.
Implementing a follower Vex requires a shift in itemization and rune choices. Instead of building full damage, a follower Vex might opt for items that offer utility and survivability. Consider these potential adjustments:
- Defensive Items: Items like Banshee’s Veil or Zhonya’s Hourglass could provide crucial survivability, allowing her to endure enemy assaults while still contributing with her crowd control.
- Utility Focus: Items that offer mana regeneration or cooldown reduction would still be valuable, enabling her to cast her crowd control more frequently to protect allies or disrupt enemy engages.
The fundamental challenge lies in leveraging her kit’s offensive power in a supportive context. Her ultimate, “The Upside-Down,” can be used to follow up on a teammate’s engage, locking down a target they’ve already initiated on, or to quickly reposition to safety after a skirmish. Her fear from her empowered Q (if it hits a marked target) can also be a potent tool for peeling an assassin off a vulnerable carry. The success hinges on the player’s ability to discern when to unleash her full destructive potential and when to play it safe and act as a shield or enabler for her allies.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of how Vex’s abilities might be utilized in a follower role:
| Ability | Follower Role Application |
|---|---|
| Nether Grasp (Q) | Used to deter enemies from engaging on allies, or to apply pressure from a safer position. |
| Shadow Surge (W) | Empowered with a fear, it becomes an excellent tool for peeling aggressive enemies off backline carries. |
| Gloom (E) | Can be used to zone enemies away from objectives or to slow pursuing threats. |
| The Upside-Down (R) | Used to follow up on a teammate’s engage, or to quickly escape a dangerous situation after supporting an ally. |
Ultimately, the answer to Can Vex Be A Follower is not a simple yes or no, but rather a nuanced exploration of tactical adaptation. It requires a deep understanding of her abilities and a willingness to prioritize team needs over individual aggression. It’s about mastering the art of indirect influence, using her powerful toolkit to empower her allies and control the flow of battle from a less conspicuous, yet equally vital, position.
To further understand how to adapt Vex’s playstyle and discover the optimal item builds and rune setups for a follower role, explore the detailed guides and discussions available in the comprehensive resources provided below this section.