Julian Guide

Julian: The Rogue Swordsman - A Comprehensive Guide

Okay, here's a comprehensive MLBB guide for Julian, focusing on his commonly played lanes, builds, emblems, talents, counter items, and general tips.

Overview:

Julian is a versatile fighter/mage hero known for his unique passive that allows him to enhance his skills. He excels in burst damage and mobility.

Primary Lane: Mid Lane

Secondary Lane: Jungle/EXP Lane

I. Mid Lane Julian

Julian thrives in the mid lane due to his ability to quickly clear minion waves and poke enemies. He can also rotate easily to help other lanes.

Playstyle:

• Prioritize wave clear with enhanced Skill 1 (Scythe).
• Poke enemy heroes with regular Skill 1 and 2.
• Look for opportunities to burst down squishy targets.
• Roam to help sidelanes and secure objectives.

A. Build #1: Burst Mage (High Damage)

• Item Build:
  1. Magic Shoes: Movement Speed + Mana Regen
  2. Enchanted Talisman: +50 Magic Power, +15% Cooldown Reduction, +250 HP, +12 Mana Regen; Unique Passive - Mana Spring: Recovers 15% of total Mana every 10s.
  3. Genius Wand: +75 Magic Power, +5% Movement Speed; Unique Passive - Magic Pierce: Dealing damage to an enemy hero reduces their Magic Defense by 3-10. Stacks up to 3 times.
  4. Holy Crystal: +100 Magic Power; Unique Passive - Mystery: Increases Magic Power by 21%-35% (scales with hero level).
  5. Divine Glaive: +65 Magic Power; Unique Passive - Spellbreaker: When HP is higher than 70%, the Unique Passive increases Magic Power by 30%.
  6. Blood Wings: +175 Magic Power, +500 HP; Unique Passive - Nirvana: Gains a Shield equal to 200% of Magic Power that absorbs damage. Lasts for 5s. CD: 80s.
• Emblem: Mage
  • Tier 1: Mastery (Cooldown Reduction)
  • Tier 2: Observation (Magic Penetration)
  • Tier 3: Impure Rage (Deals damage with skills will restore Mana by 4% of Max HP. CD: 5s)

Explanation: This build focuses on maximizing burst damage with high Magic Power and Magic Penetration. The Enchanted Talisman provides essential mana sustain and cooldown reduction, allowing you to cast spells more frequently.

B. Build #2: Sustain & Burst (More survivability)

• Item Build:
  1. Magic Shoes: Movement Speed + Mana Regen
  2. Enchanted Talisman: +50 Magic Power, +15% Cooldown Reduction, +250 HP, +12 Mana Regen; Unique Passive - Mana Spring: Recovers 15% of total Mana every 10s.
  3. Genius Wand: +75 Magic Power, +5% Movement Speed; Unique Passive - Magic Pierce: Dealing damage to an enemy hero reduces their Magic Defense by 3-10. Stacks up to 3 times.
  4. Holy Crystal: +100 Magic Power; Unique Passive - Mystery: Increases Magic Power by 21%-35% (scales with hero level).
  5. Concentrated Energy: +70 Magic Power, +700 HP; Unique Passive - Recharge: Gains 10% Magic Lifesteal. If eliminating an enemy hero, restores 10% of Max HP.
  6. Blood Wings: +175 Magic Power, +500 HP; Unique Passive - Nirvana: Gains a Shield equal to 200% of Magic Power that absorbs damage. Lasts for 5s. CD: 80s.
• Emblem: Mage
  • Tier 1: Mastery (Cooldown Reduction)
  • Tier 2: Observation (Magic Penetration)
  • Tier 3: Magic Worship (Deals damage with skills 3 times to enemy hero in 5s, the target will be burned and takes Magic Damage equal to 82-250 Magic Damage, CD: 12s)

Explanation: This build provides more survivability due to the Magic Lifesteal and HP. Magic Worship is great for adding extra damage.

C. Counter Items (Mid Lane):

• Against High Burst Mages (e.g., Eudora, Aurora):
  • Athena's Shield: Swap with Divine Glaive or Blood Wings (depending on your preference for damage vs. survival). This provides a shield against magic burst damage.
• Against High Crowd Control (CC) (e.g., Aurora, Vale):
  • Tough Boots: Replace Magic Shoes. Reduces CC duration.
  • Winter Truncheon: (Use as needed - active item. Replace Blood Wings if you're constantly getting caught out. Use actively when targeted by a burst combo.)

II. Jungle Julian

Julian can also be played in the jungle due to his mobility and damage output.

Playstyle:

• Prioritize farming early game.
• Look for ganking opportunities on sidelanes.
• Secure objectives like Turtle and Lord.
• Focus on bursting down priority targets in team fights.

A. Build #1: Assassin Jungler

• Item Build:
  1. Demon Shoes: Movement Speed + Mana Regen (Start with Hunter's Knife, then upgrade to Demon Shoes)
  2. Enchanted Talisman: +50 Magic Power, +15% Cooldown Reduction, +250 HP, +12 Mana Regen; Unique Passive - Mana Spring: Recovers 15% of total Mana every 10s.
  3. Genius Wand: +75 Magic Power, +5% Movement Speed; Unique Passive - Magic Pierce: Dealing damage to an enemy hero reduces their Magic Defense by 3-10. Stacks up to 3 times.
  4. Holy Crystal: +100 Magic Power; Unique Passive - Mystery: Increases Magic Power by 21%-35% (scales with hero level).
  5. Divine Glaive: +65 Magic Power; Unique Passive - Spellbreaker: When HP is higher than 70%, the Unique Passive increases Magic Power by 30%.
  6. Blood Wings: +175 Magic Power, +500 HP; Unique Passive - Nirvana: Gains a Shield equal to 200% of Magic Power that absorbs damage. Lasts for 5s. CD: 80s.
• Emblem: Assassin
  • Tier 1: Agility (Movement Speed)
  • Tier 2: Invasion (Physical & Magic Penetration)
  • Tier 3: Killing Spree (Participating in a kill restores 12% of Max HP and increases Movement Speed by 15%. Lasts for 5s.)

Explanation: This build is designed for burst damage and quick rotations. Assassin emblem enhances damage and mobility. Hunter's Knife and its upgrade (Raptor Machete) are essential for jungle farming.

B. Build #2: Sustain Jungler

• Item Build:
  1. Demon Shoes: Movement Speed + Mana Regen (Start with Hunter's Knife, then upgrade to Demon Shoes)
  2. Enchanted Talisman: +50 Magic Power, +15% Cooldown Reduction, +250 HP, +12 Mana Regen; Unique Passive - Mana Spring: Recovers 15% of total Mana every 10s.
  3. Genius Wand: +75 Magic Power, +5% Movement Speed; Unique Passive - Magic Pierce: Dealing damage to an enemy hero reduces their Magic Defense by 3-10. Stacks up to 3 times.
  4. Holy Crystal: +100 Magic Power; Unique Passive - Mystery: Increases Magic Power by 21%-35% (scales with hero level).
  5. Concentrated Energy: +70 Magic Power, +700 HP; Unique Passive - Recharge: Gains 10% Magic Lifesteal. If eliminating an enemy hero, restores 10% of Max HP.
  6. Blood Wings: +175 Magic Power, +500 HP; Unique Passive - Nirvana: Gains a Shield equal to 200% of Magic Power that absorbs damage. Lasts for 5s. CD: 80s.
• Emblem: Assassin
  • Tier 1: Agility (Movement Speed)
  • Tier 2: Invasion (Physical & Magic Penetration)
  • Tier 3: High and Dry (Deals 6% more damage to enemy heroes when there are no allied heroes nearby)

Explanation: This build prioritizes sustainability in the jungle. Concentrated Energy allows Julian to sustain damage while farming and ganking. High and Dry provides more damage when Julian is ganking.

C. Counter Items (Jungle):

• Against High Damage Dealers (e.g., Lance, Hayabusa):
  • Immortality: Swap with Blood Wings (provides a second life in team fights).
• Against Tanks with CC (e.g., Atlas, Khufra):
  • Tough Boots: (As needed. Replace Demon Shoes).
  • Winter Truncheon: (Use as needed - active item. Replace Blood Wings if you're constantly getting caught out. Use actively when targeted by a burst combo.)

III. EXP Lane Julian

Julian can be a decent EXP laner, offering good wave clear and poke.

Playstyle:

• Focus on safe farming and lane control.
• Poke the enemy EXP laner.
• Look for opportunities to rotate to help mid.

A. Build #1: Hybrid Damage (EXP Lane)

• Item Build:
  1. / Warrior Boots/Tough Boots: (Warrior if against mostly physical damage, Tough if against heavy CC and magic).
  2. Enchanted Talisman: +50 Magic Power, +15% Cooldown Reduction, +250 HP, +12 Mana Regen; Unique Passive - Mana Spring: Recovers 15% of total Mana every 10s.
  3. Genius Wand: +75 Magic Power, +5% Movement Speed; Unique Passive - Magic Pierce: Dealing damage to an enemy hero reduces their Magic Defense by 3-10. Stacks up to 3 times.
  4. Holy Crystal: +100 Magic Power; Unique Passive - Mystery: Increases Magic Power by 21%-35% (scales with hero level).
  5. Hunter Strike: +80 Physical Attack, +10% Cooldown Reduction; Unique Passive - Hunter: Hitting an enemy hero or creep 5 times grants 30% Movement Speed within 3s.
  6. Blood Wings: +175 Magic Power, +500 HP; Unique Passive - Nirvana: Gains a Shield equal to 200% of Magic Power that absorbs damage. Lasts for 5s. CD: 80s.
• Emblem: Fighter
  • Tier 1: Bravery (Physical Attack)
  • Tier 2: Invasion (Physical & Magic Penetration)
  • Tier 3: Festival of Blood (Gains 8% Spell Vamp. Each kill/assist increases Spell Vamp by 1%, up to 12%)

Explanation: This build gives a mix of physical and magic damage and is good for harassing the enemy EXP laner.

B. Build #2: Tanky DPS (EXP Lane)

• Item Build:
  1. / Warrior Boots/Tough Boots: (Warrior if against mostly physical damage, Tough if against heavy CC and magic).
  2. Enchanted Talisman: +50 Magic Power, +15% Cooldown Reduction, +250 HP, +12 Mana Regen; Unique Passive - Mana Spring: Recovers 15% of total Mana every 10s.
  3. Genius Wand: +75 Magic Power, +5% Movement Speed; Unique Passive - Magic Pierce: Dealing damage to an enemy hero reduces their Magic Defense by 3-10. Stacks up to 3 times.
  4. Immortality: +40 Physical Defense, +800 HP; Unique Passive - Immortal: Resurrects 2.5s after dying and gains 16% HP and a shield that absorbs 220-1200 damage. (Scales with level) Shield lasts for 3s. Cooldown is 210s.
  5. Oracle: +850 HP, +42 Magic Defense, +10% Cooldown Reduction; Unique Passive - Bless: Increases Shield Absorption and HP Regen by 30%.
  6. Blood Wings: +175 Magic Power, +500 HP; Unique Passive - Nirvana: Gains a Shield equal to 200% of Magic Power that absorbs damage. Lasts for 5s. CD: 80s.
• Emblem: Fighter
  • Tier 1: Bravery (Physical Attack)
  • Tier 2: Vitality (HP)
  • Tier 3: Tenacity (When receiving damage, if HP is below 50% increases Physical & Magic Defense by 35)

Explanation: Tanky Build provides more sustained damage and survivability in the EXP lane.

C. Counter Items (EXP Lane):

• Against High Physical Damage (e.g., Yu Zhong, Paquito):
  • Blade Armor: (Swap out Blood Wings or Holy Crystal for this). Reflects a portion of incoming physical damage.
• Against High Magic Damage (e.g., Alice, Esmeralda):
  • Athena's Shield: (Swap out Blood Wings or Holy Crystal).
• Dominance Ice: (Against high regen heroes like Uranus) Swap Holy Crystal.

IV. Julian: General Tips

• Passive Mastery: Learn the order of skills to maximize the effectiveness of your enhanced skills. Practice the skill combinations in practice mode. Prioritize enhancing skills based on the situation (e.g., enhanced Scythe for wave clear, enhanced Sword for burst).
• Mobility: Use your Sword skill for mobility, dashing over walls or to escape ganks.
• Combo Starter: Use Skill 2 (Sword) to close the gap and deal damage, then follow up with Skill 1 (Scythe) for burst.
• Team Fight Positioning: Position yourself safely in team fights, focusing on bursting down high-priority targets.
• Objective Control: Julian can contribute to taking objectives quickly due to his damage output.
• Mana Management: Julian can be mana-hungry, especially in the early game. Be mindful of your mana usage.
• Adaptability: Julian is a flexible hero. Don't be afraid to adjust your build based on the enemy team composition.

V. Hero Counters

• Strong Against: Squishy heroes (Marksmen, Mages, Assassins).
• Weak Against: High sustain heroes (e.g., Uranus, Esmeralda), heroes with strong crowd control (e.g., Khufra, Atlas), heroes with high magic defense.

VI. Skill Priority

• Max Skill 1 (Scythe) first for wave clear and poke.
• Then max Skill 2 (Sword).
• Ultimate is automatically enhanced and activated when the first 2 skill are used.

VII. Spell Recommendations

• Flicker: For extra mobility and escape potential. Great for repositioning in team fights.
• Retribution: (Jungle only) Essential for securing jungle camps and objectives.
• Execute: To secure kills when enemies try to escape (Mid/EXP Lane).