Alistar

Mid Pure meme

AP Alistar Mid

How to play this build

Farm with Q and punish every approach with the Headbutt→Pulverize combo (W into them, instant Q). With AP + DFG that combo blows up a squishy; being naturally tanky, you can engage first and survive.

Strengths

The Headbutt → Pulverize combo chains two guaranteed knock-ups: total lockdown on a target.
With AP + DFG that combo stops being just CC and starts deleting squishy mages.
Your R (Unbreakable Will) gives huge damage reduction: you dive in, kill, and survive the focus.
Tanky base stats: even going AP, you're hard to kill.

Weaknesses

Melee: you need to stick to the target, and kiting hurts you.
Mana-hungry early: if you spam the combo, you run dry.
Without the combo up, your damage drops a lot.
It's predictable: everyone knows the Headbutt → Pulverize is coming.

Key combos

Standard combo: Headbutt (W) to knock the target toward you → Pulverize (Q) to knock them up → DFG + Ignite to finish.
Flash engage: Flash → Pulverize (Q) for the surprise knock-up → Headbutt (W) to reposition them into your team.

Matchups

You beat

Immobile mages (Veigar, Karthus) who can't escape your combo + burst.
Dashless targets you lock down with the double knock-up.

Trouble vs

Ranged poke that kites you before you land the combo.
Comps with heavy peel/CC that stop you before you finish the chain.

Game plan

Roam and hunt picks: a Headbutt → Pulverize on someone out of position is usually a kill. In teamfights, pop R before diving, find the enemy carry and chain the knock-ups while your team cleans up. Watch your mana early and don't waste the combo unless you're going to kill.

Quick tips

Buffer Pulverize (Q) the instant Headbutt (W) connects so the combo is unstoppable.
Pop R before you jump: the damage reduction lets you survive the whole team's focus.

Skill order

Max priority:

Q Pulverizar → W Cabezazo → E Rugido Triunfal

The ultimate (R) is always leveled at 6, 11 and 16.

Level	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
Q	Q			Q	Q		Q	Q
W		W							W	W		W	W
E			E											E	E		E	E
R						R					R					R

Why this order: On AP you max Pulverize (Q) and Headbutt (W), which scale with AP — the opposite of support Alistar who maxes E (heal).

Items and what they do

Deathfire Grasp The classic burst item: AP + active that deals % target-health damage and amplifies your next hit. One-shots.
Rabadon's Deathcap The biggest AP item in the game: multiplies your total AP.
Rylai's Crystal Scepter AP and health; your spells slow enemies (helps land everything).
Zhonya's Hourglass AP and armor; stasis active makes you invulnerable and untargetable for a couple seconds.
Sorcerer's Shoes Boots with magic penetration.

Runes

In classic LoL, runes were a system SEPARATE from masteries: bought with IP (Influence Points) and slotted into 4 tiers — Marks (red), Seals (yellow), Glyphs (blue) and Quintessences (purple, the strongest). They gave flat stats: damage, armor, penetration, etc.

Marks (red) Magic penetration ×9

Seals (yellow) Armor ×9

Glyphs (blue) Ability power per level ×9

Quintessences (purple) Ability power ×3

Magic pen, armor seals, AP quints

Masteries: how they work

In classic LoL you have up to 30 points (at level 30) to split across three trees: Offense (damage), Defense (durability) and Utility (mana, cooldown reduction and mobility). The notation 21/0/9 means 21 points in Offense, 0 in Defense and 9 in Utility.

Masteries: 21/0/9 — Offense (Havoc + Archmage)
Why this page: 21/0/9 goes full damage so the WQ combo hits as real burst, not just CC.

Summoner spells

Flash

Ignite

Lane: Mid
Original role: Support Tank

← Back to home