A hybrid build can be described as any combination of offensive stats and/or effects. It's a strategy used in certain games, particularly MOBAs like League of Legends, where a character invests in multiple different damage types or effects rather than focusing on just one.
Understanding the Core Concept
The fundamental idea behind a hybrid build is diversification of your character's offensive capabilities. Instead of maximizing a single stat like Attack Damage (AD) or Ability Power (AP), a hybrid build allows a champion to benefit from multiple sources of power. This can make a champion more versatile or better equipped to handle different situations and opponents.
Common Forms of Hybrid Builds
Based on typical gameplay strategies, there are two particularly common forms of hybrid builds:
- Attack Damage (AD) + Ability Power (AP): This combination involves building items that provide both physical damage (AD) and magical damage (AP). Champions who utilize this might have abilities that scale with both stats, or they might want to deal mixed damage to make it harder for enemies to build effective defensive items against them.
- On-Hit Damage + Attack Speed: This build focuses on enhancing basic attacks. "On-hit" effects are bonus effects or damage triggered every time a basic attack lands. Combining these items with Attack Speed allows a champion to apply these effects more frequently, leading to significant damage over time from their basic attacks, often in conjunction with other stats like AD or AP that also contribute to the on-hit effect or the base attack damage.
Why Go Hybrid? Synergy is Key
A champion typically builds these types of hybrid depending on how well they synergize with their gameplay. This synergy can come from several factors:
- Champion Abilities: Many champions have abilities that scale with both AD and AP, or passive effects that benefit significantly from on-hit effects or attack speed.
- Damage Profile: Dealing mixed damage (physical and magical) can be advantageous because enemies usually build defenses against one type of damage. A hybrid build forces enemies to build a mix of defenses, potentially making them less tanky against both types of damage.
- Utility: Some hybrid items provide unique effects or utility that are valuable regardless of the champion's primary damage type.
Choosing a hybrid build is often about maximizing a champion's unique kit and finding the most effective way to apply pressure throughout a game. It requires understanding how different stats interact with a champion's skills and basic attacks.
