Sion in League of Legends is a popular tank champion known for absorbing massive amounts of damage and initiating fights. Learn how to effectively play Sion in League of Legends – understand his abilities, strengths, counters, and strategies to dominate your games.

Understanding Sion’s Abilities

Glory in Death (Passive)

When Sion takes fatal damage, he reanimates briefly, gaining full health and increased attack speed, lifesteal, and bonus damage based on the enemy’s maximum health. During this state, he can only attack, move, and use items. He gains 100% lifesteal, increased attack speed, and deals bonus damage equal to 10% of enemy health (capped at 75 damage on minions). However, he deals reduced damage to structures at only 40%. He can briefly increase movement speed using Death Surge.

Decimating Smash (Q)

Sion charges up a heavy strike, dealing more damage the longer he charges. The damage and crowd control increase with charging time, and it can knock up and stun enemies for up to 2.25 seconds. However, it deals reduced damage to minions.

Soul Furnace (W)

Sion gains a shield for up to 6 seconds. After 3 seconds, he can detonate the shield for area damage. The shield strength scales with his maximum health, and passively, he gains bonus health for kills. When detonated, it deals additional damage based on enemy health.

Roar of the Slayer (E)

Sion fires a shockwave, damaging, slowing, and reducing enemy armor. The slow effect lasts 2.5 seconds, and it reduces enemy armor by 20% for 4 seconds. Minions hit are knocked back, stunning enemies hit during their knockback.

Unstoppable Onslaught (R – Ultimate)

Sion charges forward, increasing his speed over time, becoming immune to crowd control. He slams down upon impact, dealing damage and stunning enemies. Maximum damage increases with charge distance, making it a great tool for initiating fights or roaming for ganks.

Gameplay Strategy

Early Game (0-15 Minutes)

Early on, Sion’s goal is to farm safely and avoid unnecessary risks. You need gold and levels before engaging. Stay close to your turret and farm safely. Engage briefly after enemies use their key abilities, and keep minions near your turret to stay safe. Sion is weak early, so patience is key.

Mid Game (15-25 Minutes)

During the mid-game, Sion becomes an effective split pusher and duelist. Split push to pressure side lanes, duel enemy champions who attempt to stop you, and join team fights when necessary, especially around major objectives. Sion is tough to take down at this stage, so use this to your advantage.

Late Game (25+ Minutes)

Sion’s role shifts to protecting teammates and initiating team fights in the late game. Stick close to your team to avoid being picked off, focus on protecting your carries, and target the nearest enemy champion to help your carries stay alive.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths of Sion

• Excellent at soaking damage, protecting teammates.
• Ultimate ability is powerful for initiating fights.
• Roar of the Slayer helps set up easy kills for allies.

Weaknesses of Sion

• Ultimate can be difficult to land against enemies with dashes or blinks.
• Easily poked by ranged champions.
• Vulnerable to being kited by agile enemies.

Counter Tips: Facing Sion

During Laning

Avoid standing in his Decimating Smash range by moving sideways rather than backward. Be cautious when Sion reaches level 6, as his ultimate can set up easy kills. Engage only after baiting out his abilities.

Team Fighting

Kite Sion to prevent him from landing crowd control abilities, and avoid grouping tightly to prevent multi-target knockups. Be careful in tight jungle paths where Sion excels.

Key Power Spikes for Sion

Early Power Spike

Level 6 unlocks his ultimate, significantly increasing his threat. His first item component enhances his durability and fighting potential.

Mid-Game Power Spike

Level 9 maxes Decimating Smash, boosting his team fight presence. Tank items make him nearly unstoppable.

Late Game Power Spike

A fully maxed ultimate allows frequent team fight initiations. A completed tank build combined with Soul Furnace provides massive survivability.

Final Tips for Playing Sion

Stay patient in the early game. Use your ultimate proactively to start advantageous fights, and always keep your carries safe, as their survival often decides fights. Playing Sion effectively in League of Legends requires careful timing, positioning, and understanding of his strengths and weaknesses. Practice consistently, and you’ll improve your impact in games. With these tips, you can confidently contribute to your team’s success using Sion.

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