Control mage build with delayed value: Mel does not need to win the frontal duel, but first establish a zone where enemy missteps become expensive. The premium build therefore stresses holding space, punishing readable paths, then keeping enough safety to replay a second cycle instead of betting everything on a single burst.
Standard build maximizing damage output. Use on neutral matchups or when ahead.
15,400 total cost
Nothing dominates on the other side: the standard build maximizes your damage.
Open this draft in the tool →Anti-resist build for tanky enemies. Choose when multiple enemies build armor/magic resist.
14,800 total cost -600gDefensive build adding survivability. Pick this against high enemy damage or when behind.
15,500 total cost +100g
Share of the roster this champion outclasses, at each stage of the game.
50% = average for the roster at that point of the game, 90% = among the strongest. The three phases come from the site's editorial tempo grid (early/mid/late, rated across 142 champions); the level-by-level curve adds this build's computed spikes — ultimate, completed items — never by more than ±8 points.
Your hardest matchups in this role, and the item from your situational list that answers each one.
Same advisor in the Draft (the MVP sheet applies it to your real draft) and in Ask Nexus, which explains the choice. On counters pages: the variant to take against each counter-pick.
Skill leveling order and rune choices explained, from our in-depth kit analysis (patch 7.0e). Ability numbers are from patch 7.3; up-to-date items are in the section above.
Mel doesn’t aim for duels but global fight impact. Her build must maximize pressure, poke and opportunistic burst.
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Tap an ability for its per-rank numbers. Source: official Tencent data (Chinese server), patch 7.3 — may lead or lag the global server by a sub-patch.
Your Q volley pins targets under the barrage — the comet lands on every poke rotation.
Free gold on rotations — your AP core comes sooner and every W reflect benefits.
Haste multiplies Q volleys and Es — more roots, more passive procs.
The burn rides every poke volley — your pressure drains opponents toward your passive's execute range.
Blunts the burst of anyone who gets past your W reflect — three weakened hits to reposition.
Coup De Grace
Giant Slayer
