Johnson Guide

Johnson: The Robo-Tank - A Comprehensive Guide

Alright, here's a comprehensive MLBB guide for Johnson, focusing on maximizing his effectiveness in both his primary and secondary lane roles:

Hero Role: Tank

Secondary Role: Roam/Support

Johnson's Strengths:

• High Crowd Control: Stun and knock-up potential with his skills, especially his ultimate.
• Global Presence: Ultimate allows for rapid rotations and ganks across the map.
• Durable: Naturally tanky due to his role and skill set.
• Initiation: Excellent at starting team fights and catching enemies out of position.

Johnson's Weaknesses:

• Transform Skill Dependent: Johnson's effectiveness relies heavily on his ultimate cooldown.
• Predictable Ultimate: Experienced players can anticipate his ultimate path.
• Vulnerable in Base Form: Less effective in combat without his ultimate active.
• Mana Hungry: Requires mana management, especially in the early game.

Lane and Build Guides

1. Tank (EXP Lane/Gold Lane)

Johnson excels as a tank due to his durability and crowd control. Here's how to build him for maximum impact:

Emblem: Tank Emblem

• Talents:
  • Talent 1: Firmness (Increased Physical & Magical Defense) - This is a reliable choice for overall survivability.
  • Talent 2: Tenacity (Increase Physical & Magical Defense when near Turret/Allies) - Good choice in lane since you will be near the turret.
  • Talent 3: Brave Smite (Recover HP when dealing Damage) - Provides sustain during team fights.

Build 1: Standard Tank (EXP Lane)

• Core Items:
  1. Tough Boots: Reduce magic damage and provides resilience.
  2. Cursed Helmet: Magic damage based on the opponent's HP.
  3. Guardian Helmet: Increases HP, Mana, and HP regeneration.
  4. Immortality: Provides a second life in team fights.
  5. Antique Cuirass: Reduces enemy damage when hit by skills.
  6. Athena's Shield: Magic damage shield that scales with Johnson's HP.

Item Explanation: This build focuses on increasing Johnson's HP, defense, and sustain. Cursed Helmet provides consistent damage to nearby enemies, while Guardian Helmet keeps your HP topped off between fights. Immortality gives you a second chance, and Athena's Shield provides Magic Resistance.

Build 2: Aggressive Tank (Gold Lane)

• Core Items:
  1. Warrior Boots: Armor and movement speed.
  2. Cursed Helmet: Magic damage based on the opponent's HP.
  3. Thunder Belt: True Damage after using Skill
  4. Dominance Ice: Reduces enemy HP regen and Attack Speed
  5. Immortality: Provides a second life in team fights.
  6. Brute Force Breastplate: Movement speed and Physical/Magic Defense after using Skills.

Item Explanation: This build prioritizes mobility and sticking power. Thunder Belt enhances Johnson's damage after using skills, allowing him to deal significant damage. Dominance Ice reduces enemy regen, making them easier to kill. Brute Force Breastplate gives him the ability to kite while giving movement speed and defense.

Counter Items (Situational):

• Against High Magic Damage:
  • Replace Antique Cuirass or Brute Force Breastplate for Radiant Armor for sustained magic damage reduction.
  • Replace Antique Cuirass or Brute Force Breastplate for Oracle for increased HP regen, shield absorption, and magic resistance.
• Against High Physical Damage/Attack Speed:
  • Replace Athena's Shield or Cursed Helmet to reflect damage from high physical damage dealers with Blade Armor.
  • Replace Athena's Shield or Cursed Helmet to reduce damage taken from burst physical damage with Twilight Armor.
• Against High HP Regen:
  • This item is good to use if your team lacks anti heal. Replace Cursed Helmet or Brute Force Breastplate with Sea Halberd.

2. Roam/Support

As a Roamer, Johnson focuses on enabling his team and disrupting the enemy. He provides vision, initiates fights, and protects his carries.

Emblem: Tank Emblem

• Talents:
  • Talent 1: Firmness (Increased Physical & Magical Defense) - This is a reliable choice for overall survivability.
  • Talent 2: Tenacity (Increase Physical & Magical Defense when near Turret/Allies) - Good choice if you are going to babysit the gold laner.
  • Talent 3: Focusing Mark (Deal more damage to enemies that are recently crowd controlled by you) - This is good to use if you want to deal damage and Johnson can easily deal CC's

Roam Item: Courage Mask (Recommended - Provides movement speed, physical/magic defense, and buffs nearby allies' attack)

Build 1: Standard Roam/Support

• Core Items:
  1. Tough Boots: Magic resistance and reduced crowd control duration.
  2. Dominance Ice: Reduces enemy HP regen and Attack Speed.
  3. Athena's Shield: Provides a magic damage shield.
  4. Immortality: Provides a second life.
  5. Antique Cuirass: Reduces enemy physical damage.
  6. Guardian Helmet: Increases HP and HP regen.

Item Explanation: This build emphasizes survivability and utility. Dominance Ice helps counter sustain-heavy enemies, while Athena's Shield protects against burst magic damage.

Build 2: Aggressive Roam/Support

• Core Items:
  1. Tough Boots: Magic resistance and reduced crowd control duration.
  2. Cursed Helmet: Magic damage based on the opponent's HP.
  3. Thunder Belt: True Damage after using Skill.
  4. Immortality: Provides a second life.
  5. Brute Force Breastplate: Movement speed and Physical/Magic Defense after using Skills.
  6. Guardian Helmet: Increases HP and HP regen.

Item Explanation: This build sacrifices some defense for more aggressive play. Cursed Helmet and Thunder Belt provide sustained damage, while Brute Force Breastplate allows him to kite.

Counter Items (Situational):

• Against High Magic Damage:
  • Replace Antique Cuirass or Brute Force Breastplate for Radiant Armor for sustained magic damage reduction.
  • Replace Antique Cuirass or Brute Force Breastplate for Oracle for increased HP regen, shield absorption, and magic resistance.
• Against High Physical Damage/Attack Speed:
  • Replace Athena's Shield or Cursed Helmet to reflect damage from high physical damage dealers with Blade Armor.
  • Replace Athena's Shield or Cursed Helmet to reduce damage taken from burst physical damage with Twilight Armor.
• Against High HP Regen:
  • This item is good to use if your team lacks anti heal. Replace Cursed Helmet or Brute Force Breastplate with Sea Halberd.

General Johnson Gameplay Tips:

• Early Game: Focus on farming and soaking up damage in lane. Use your first skill to clear waves and poke enemies. Try to get to level 4 as quickly as possible.
• Mid Game: Look for opportunities to gank other lanes with your ultimate. Coordinate with your teammates to set up successful ganks. Use your ultimate to initiate team fights.
• Late Game: Stick with your team and protect your carries. Use your ultimate to initiate fights or peel for your carries. Control objectives like the Lord and Turtle.
• Driving the Ultimate: Practice aiming your ultimate and predicting enemy movements. Communicate with your passenger about your destination. Aim for squishy targets or clumped-up enemies.
• Strategic Use of Skills: Use your first skill to stun enemies during chases or to interrupt their skills. Use your second skill to deal damage and slow enemies in a wide area.
• Map Awareness: Constantly check the map to identify ganking opportunities and potential threats. Roam and provide vision for your team.
• Team Communication: Communicate with your team about your ultimate cooldown, ganking plans, and target priorities.
• Adjusting to the Enemy Team: Build counter items based on the enemy team's composition. Adjust your playstyle based on the enemy's strengths and weaknesses.