The Sorcery Rune Tree is the next set of runes we will examine. It is popular with mages and enchanter supports as it offers aids in offensive plays and even defensive maneuvers and abilities. Since mages populate the mid lane and enchanter supports are found in the bottom lane, this rune tree appears on champions in these regions.
Unlike the Domination Rune Tree, Sorcery has only three keystones in its first tier, all the way to the last tier. The Sorcery rune is predominantly blue; the color of mana, and it synergizes well with champions that have mana-hungry abilities.
Let’s check out the Rune Tree.
Sorcery Rune Tree [Tier 1]
Summon Aery
Effect
Damaging enemy champions with basic attacks or abilities send Aery to them, dealing 10 – 40 based on level(+0.1AP)(+0.15 bonus AD).
Empowering or protecting allies with abilities sends Aery to them, shielding them for 35 – 80 based on level (+0.25 AP) (+0.4 AD).
Aery cannot be sent out again until she returns to you.
Explanation
Summon Aery is a very good rune for poke champions and champions that shield or heal allies. Aery empowers every shield and heals cast whenever the rune is off cooldown. This is why you find it on every enchanter/mage support; it favors their playstyle.
Viable Champions
Mainly Enchanter/Mage supports.
- Nami
- Karma
- Lulu
- Soraka
- Sona
- Zilean
- Seraphine, etc
Arcane Comet
Effect
Damaging a champion with an ability hurls a comet at their location, or, if Arcane comet is on cooldown, reduces its remaining cooldown.
Adaptive Damage: 30 – 100 based on level (+0.2 AP and +0.35 bonus AD)
Cooldown: 20 – 8 seconds
Cooldown Reduction:
Single Target: 20%
Area of Effect (A.O.E): 10%
Damage over Time: 5%
Explanation
While Summon Aery favors enchanter supports, Arcane comet synergizes well with Mages. Since almost all Mages have one manner of poke or another, this rune helps empower their lane presence and kill pressure.
Viable Champions
- Veigar
- Ziggs
- Vel’koz
- Xerath
- Annie, etc
Phase Rush
Effect
Hitting an enemy champion with 3 attacks or separate abilities within 4 seconds grants 15 – 40% Move Speed based on level and 75% Slow Resistance.
This is increased to 30 – 60% Move Speed for Melee champions.
Duration: 3 seconds
Cooldown: 10 seconds – 30 seconds
Explanation
Phase rush synergizes well with Mages who need the movement speed boost to dodge enemy abilities during a trade or duel. It also helps in catching up to an enemy trying to escape. While it requires a condition to proc it, you can proc Phase Rush with a mixture of auto-attacks and abilities.
Viable Champions
- Ryze
- Syndra
- Viktor
- Nunu and Willump
- Orianna, etc
Sorcery Rune Tree [Tier 2]
Nullifying Orb
Effect
When you take magic damage that would reduce your Health below 30%, gain a shield that absorbs 40 – 120 magic damage based on level (+0.1 AP and +0.15 bonus AD) for 4 seconds.
Cooldown: 60 seconds
Explanation
This rune comes in handy when you are up against an AP-heavy team composition. The shield it grants can make the difference between dying and making it out of a duel or team fight alive.
Viable Champions
- Vladimir
- Amumu
- Rammus
- Nunu and Willump, etc
Manaflow Band
Effect
Hitting an enemy champion with an ability permanently increases your maximum mana by 25, up to 250 mana.
After reaching 250 mana, restore 1% of your missing mana every 5 seconds.
Cooldown: 15 seconds
Explanation
Manaflow Band is clearly the best rune for Mages in this tier. It solves the mana issues that several Mages struggle to manage. If you are playing a Mage who uses mana for abilities, pick this rune.
Viable Champions
- Ryze
- Ziggs
- Veigar
- Syndra
- Orianna
- Viktor
- Annie, etc
Nimbus Cloak
Effect
After casting a Summoner Spell, gain a Move Speed increase that lasts for 2 seconds and allows you to pass through units.
Increase: 5% – 25% Move Speed based on the Summoner Spell’s cooldown.
(Higher cooldown Summoner Spells grant more Move Speed).
Explanation
Nimbus cloak was reworked to what it is now but is still a good rune on champions who lack a dash, leap, or any form of a gap-closer. It grants a significant boost of movement speed the moment you cast a summoner spell – pretty cool right?
Viable Champions
- Trundle
- Hecarim
- Jinx
- Jhin
- Rammus
- Nunu and Willump, etc.
Sorcery Rune Tree [Tier 3]
Transcendence
Gain bonuses upon reaching the following levels:
Level 5: +5 Ability Haste
Level 8: +5 Ability Haste
And Level 11: On champion takedown, reduce the remaining cooldown of basic abilities by 20%.
Explanation
Ability haste can never go wrong on almost every champion in the game. As a result of this, Transcendence is a rune popular with any champion that picks the Sorcery Rune Tree.
Viable Champions
- Viktor
- Vladimir
- Veigar
- Orianna
- Syndra, etc.
Celerity
Effect
All movement bonuses are 7% more effective on you and gain 1% Move Speed.
Explanation
If your champion needs every bit of movement speed he/she can get, this rune is for you.
Viable Champions
- Trundle
- Jhin
- Rammus
- Nunu and Willump
- Hecarim, etc.
Absolute Focus
Effect
While above 70% health, gain an adaptive bonus of up to 18 Attack Damage or 30 Ability Power (based on level).
Grant 1.8 Attack Damage or 3 Ability Power at level 1.
Explanation
Absolute Focus grants you extra damage anytime you are above 70% health. Do not underestimate the difference this rune can make in a game.
Viable Champions
- Evelynn
- Jhin
- Cassiopeia
- Zac
- Warwick, etc.
Sorcery Rune Tree [Tier 4]
Scorch
Effect
Your next damaging ability hit sets champions on fire dealing 15 – 35 bonus magic damage based on level after 1 second.
Cooldown: 10s
Explanation
Scorch helps in poking and when coupled with Corrupting Potion, it helps in trading.
Waterwalking
Effect
Gain 25 Move Speed and an adaptive bonus of up to 18 Attack Damage or 30 Ability Power (based on level) when in the river.
Explanation
Waterwalking favors junglers who need to get ganks off across the map. The movement speed works well with relentless hunter.
Gathering Storm
Effect
Every 10 minutes gain AP or AD, adaptive.
10 min: +8 AP or 5 AD
20 min: +24 AP or 14 AD
30 min: +48 AP or 29 AD
40 min: +80 AP or 48 AD
50 min: +120 AP or 72 AD
60 mins: +168 AP or 101 AD, etc…
Explanation
The longer the game wears on, the stronger you become. Don’t underestimate the stats gained from this rune in the late game.
Conclusion
Now, you fully understand the Sorcery Rune Tree and can see how it synergizes with champion abilities. However, a better way to ensure you get the right runes every time is to make use of the SenpAI.GG Desktop LoL App.
The AI gaming assistant is well capable of setting the right runes for you all the time and even recommends the right items for you. Thanks for reading and good luck on the Rift!
