10 Best Champions To Counter Vladimir In League of Legends

Vladimir is a slippery mage known for his high sustain, area-of-effect damage, and late-game scaling. With abilities like Transfusion (Q) and Hemoplague (R), he can heal through damage and turn the tide of fights, making him a persistent threat. However, Vladimir has clear weaknesses—he is immobile, reliant on staying in fights to heal, and vulnerable to early pressure. The best counters can shut him down before he reaches his peak, out-sustain his healing, or burst him down before he has a chance to outscale. In this article, we’ll go over the 10 best champions to counter Vladimir and how to neutralize his impact in the game.

#10: Viktor

Viktor is a strong counter to Vladimir because he outranges him, can poke him down, and prevents him from healing effectively. Vladimir relies on sustaining through trades with Transfusion (Q) and staying in fights to heal, but Viktor’s long-range poke with Death Ray (E) and Plasma Fission (Q) can constantly harass him, making it difficult for Vladimir to heal and regenerate health.

Another major advantage Viktor has is his ability to zone Vladimir with Gravity Field (W). If Vladimir tries to engage with Sanguine Pool (W) or Hemoplague (R), Viktor can use his crowd control to keep him at bay and prevent him from turning fights. Additionally, Viktor’s Chaos Storm (R) can shred Vladimir’s health quickly, especially when he tries to stand in it for too long.

To win this matchup, Viktor players should focus on poking Vladimir early with E and Q, using W to keep him away during trades, and utilizing R to burst him down in teamfights. If played aggressively, Viktor can easily neutralize Vladimir’s healing and prevent him from scaling into a late-game threat.

#9: Anivia

Anivia is a strong counter to Vladimir because she outranges him, can poke him down from a safe distance, and can prevent him from escaping with her crowd control. Vladimir relies on healing through his abilities, especially Transfusion (Q), to sustain in lane, but Anivia’s long-range poke with Flash Frost (Q) and Crystalize (W) forces him to play cautiously, preventing him from freely healing or trading back.

Anivia’s Glacial Storm (R) is also a huge advantage in this matchup because it continually damages Vladimir, making it difficult for him to heal effectively. Since Vladimir relies on staying in fights to regenerate health, Anivia’s area damage combined with her crowd control can force him out of fights before he can heal enough to become a threat.

To win this matchup, Anivia players should focus on using Q and W to poke Vladimir, keep him in check with R, and make sure he can’t get comfortable enough to heal through trades. With careful zoning and positioning, Anivia can completely deny Vladimir’s sustain and make it hard for him to scale.

#8: Talon

Talon is a strong counter to Vladimir because he can burst him down quickly, avoid his skill shots, and punish his immobility. Vladimir relies on staying in fights to heal and sustain with Transfusion (Q), but Talon’s high burst damage and mobility allow him to engage, burst, and escape before Vladimir has a chance to recover. With Noxian Diplomacy (Q) and Rake (W), Talon can quickly deal a lot of damage, taking Vladimir by surprise and forcing him to burn his Sanguine Pool (W) defensively.

Another advantage Talon has is his roaming potential. Since Vladimir is a champion that requires a lot of time to scale, Talon can force early skirmishes, push the lane, and roam to other lanes, preventing Vladimir from snowballing. Talon can also avoid Vladimir’s crowd control with his high mobility, which makes it difficult for Vladimir to lock him down and prevent his burst.

To win this matchup, Talon players should focus on early aggression, use their mobility to avoid Vladimir’s abilities, and look to burst him down before he has a chance to heal or outscale. With good early pressure, Talon can keep Vladimir from becoming a late-game monster.

#7: Leblanc

LeBlanc is a strong counter to Vladimir because she can dodge his abilities, burst him down before he can heal, and outmaneuver him in lane. Vladimir relies on his Transfusion (Q) for sustain, but LeBlanc’s high mobility and ability to dodge with Distortion (W) make it difficult for him to land his poke and heal through trades. LeBlanc can harass Vladimir from a distance with Sigil of Malice (Q) and Ethereal Chains (E), forcing him to play defensively and preventing him from freely healing.

Another major advantage LeBlanc has is her burst damage. Once she hits level 6, her Mimic (R) allows her to quickly burst down Vladimir with a full combo, while Vladimir’s lack of mobility makes it difficult for him to escape. Even if Vladimir tries to use Sanguine Pool (W) to avoid her, LeBlanc’s Ethereal Chains (E) can snare him, making it hard for him to dodge.

To win this matchup, LeBlanc players should focus on dodging Vladimir’s abilities with W, poke him with Q and E, and look for an all-in when he is low on health. If played aggressively, LeBlanc can burst Vladimir down before he has a chance to heal or scale.

#6: Xerath

Xerath is a strong counter to Vladimir because he outranges him, can poke him from a safe distance, and prevent him from healing effectively. Vladimir relies on getting close to his enemies to land his Transfusion (Q) and sustain through trades, but Xerath’s long-range abilities like Arcanopulse (Q) and Eye of Destruction (W) allow him to poke Vladimir from a distance, forcing him to play defensively and reducing his chances to heal.

Xerath’s Shocking Orb (E) also provides crowd control that can interrupt Vladimir’s attempts to engage, especially when he tries to use Sanguine Pool (W) to escape. Since Vladimir relies on staying in fights to regenerate health, Xerath’s constant poke damage and range advantage keep him from ever getting comfortable and healing up.

To win this matchup, Xerath players should focus on staying at a safe range, continuously poking Vladimir with Q and W, and using E to keep him from engaging. If played well, Xerath can completely neutralize Vladimir’s sustain and prevent him from scaling into a late-game threat.

#5: Ahri

Ahri is a strong counter to Vladimir because she can dodge his skill shots, poke him down from a distance, and burst him before he can heal. Vladimir relies on his Transfusion (Q) to sustain, but Ahri’s Spirit Rush (R) allows her to dash around, avoid his poke, and reposition to find opportunities to engage. Additionally, Ahri’s Charm (E) can lock Vladimir down and set him up for a quick burst combo, preventing him from using Sanguine Pool (W) to escape.

Ahri’s strong early game and ability to control trades give her a significant advantage in this matchup. With Orb of Deception (Q) and Fox-Fire (W), Ahri can poke Vladimir continuously while keeping him at a distance, making it difficult for him to heal through trades or get the upper hand in lane.

To win this matchup, Ahri players should focus on poking Vladimir with Q and W, using E to disrupt his engages, and taking advantage of her mobility to dodge his abilities. If played correctly, Ahri can burst Vladimir down before he scales into a late-game powerhouse.

#4: Zed

Zed is a strong counter to Vladimir because he can burst him down before he has a chance to heal, dodge his abilities, and outmaneuver him in fights. Vladimir relies heavily on staying in fights to regenerate health through Transfusion (Q) and Hemoplague (R), but Zed’s high burst damage and mobility make it difficult for Vladimir to sustain through trades.

One of Zed’s biggest advantages is his ability to dodge Vladimir’s abilities using Living Shadow (W), making it hard for Vladimir to land his key skill shots like Death Ray (E) and Gravity Field (W). Once Zed reaches level 6, he can burst down Vladimir with Death Mark (R) before he has time to heal or escape, and Zed’s high mobility allows him to reposition during fights, making it hard for Vladimir to react.

To win this matchup, Zed players should focus on dodging Vladimir’s abilities with W, poking with Q, and looking for all-ins once they hit level 6. If played aggressively and efficiently, Zed can completely shut down Vladimir’s sustain and take control of the lane.

#3: Fizz

Fizz is a strong counter to Vladimir because he can dodge his abilities, burst him down quickly, and outplay him in skirmishes. Vladimir relies on Transfusion (Q) to sustain through trades, but Fizz’s Playful/Trickster (E) allows him to dodge Vladimir’s skill shots, including his Death Ray (E) and Gravity Field (W), making it difficult for Vladimir to land his poke or control the fight.

Another advantage Fizz has is his high burst potential. Once Fizz reaches level 6, his Chum the Waters (R) gives him a massive all-in tool to quickly execute Vladimir before he can heal. Fizz’s mobility and ability to dodge Sanguine Pool (W) also make him difficult for Vladimir to catch or escape from once engaged.

To win this matchup, Fizz players should focus on dodging Vladimir’s abilities with E, bursting him with a full combo when he’s low on health, and using R to execute him when he’s vulnerable. With his high mobility and burst, Fizz can easily shut down Vladimir’s sustain and deny him the opportunity to scale into the late game.

#2: Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia is a strong counter to Vladimir because she outduels him, punishes his reliance on healing, and completely shuts down his sustain in extended fights. Vladimir depends on his Transfusion (Q) to heal and sustain through trades, but Cassiopeia’s Miasma (W) grounds him, preventing him from using Sanguine Pool (W) and his mobility, making it hard for him to escape or heal effectively.

Another major advantage Cassiopeia has is her consistent DPS through Twin Fang (E). Once she lands a few basic abilities, Cassiopeia can melt Vladimir’s health bar while he struggles to heal through her sustained damage. Additionally, Cassiopeia’s poison works incredibly well against Vladimir, further limiting his ability to regenerate during trades.

To win this matchup, Cassiopeia players should focus on landing W to ground Vladimir, use E to continuously apply poison, and punish his trades with Q. If played correctly, Cassiopeia can prevent Vladimir from ever getting his healing and sustain, shutting him down before he can scale into a late-game threat.

#1: Syndra

Syndra is the best counter to Vladimir because she outranges him, can poke him down consistently, and burst him before he can heal. Vladimir relies on Transfusion (Q) to sustain through trades and stay in fights, but Syndra’s Dark Sphere (Q) and Force of Will (W) allow her to poke him from a distance, making it difficult for Vladimir to ever get comfortable and heal.

One of Syndra’s biggest advantages is her burst potential. With Scatter the Weak (E), she can stun Vladimir, preventing him from using Sanguine Pool (W) or Hemoplague (R) to escape or heal. Once she hits level 6, Unleashed Power (R) allows Syndra to instantly burst Vladimir, taking advantage of his lack of mobility and shutting him down before he can scale.

To win this matchup, Syndra players should focus on poking Vladimir with Q and W, using E to interrupt his engages, and saving R to burst him down when he’s low. With her range and burst damage, Syndra can neutralize Vladimir’s sustain and control the lane.

Conclusion

Vladimir is a powerful mage with strong sustain, high damage, and great late-game scaling, but his weaknesses—immobility, reliance on healing, and vulnerability to burst damage—make him susceptible to the right counters. Champions like Syndra and Cassiopeia can poke him from a distance and shut down his sustain, while Fizz and Zed can dodge his abilities and burst him before he has a chance to heal. If you’re struggling against Vladimir, picking one of these champions and playing around his weak early game will prevent him from snowballing and ensure that he doesn’t become a late-game threat. By denying him healing, engaging when his abilities are on cooldown, and punishing his immobility, you can neutralize Vladimir’s impact and control the game.