Table of Contents
Introduction
Claude is a reap and burst marksman who is mobile and dangerous in team fights. His pet/partner Dexter also helps him in his attacks. Claude might not be that easy to use, but he’s one of the strongest and most mobile marksmen in the game, so he’s worth giving a shot. Here’s a guide to help you use him in battles.
Claude Skills & Passive
Let’s start with his skills and passive.
Skill 1: Act of Thievery – in his skill 1, Claude steals 20% of movement speed and 10% of attack speed from enemies within a fan-shaped area, increasing his movement speed and attack speed for 6 seconds. It also deals with a small amount of damage to the target. This skill is ideal to use for farming, clearing minions, and to slow down enemies.
Skill 2: Battle Mirror Image – In his skill 2, Claude uses Dr. Rooney’s Device to leave Dexter’s mirror image at the desired location. This mirror image automatically attacks enemy units; it lasts for about 5.5 seconds and deals physical damage equal to that of Dexter under its range. Claude can activate the skill again to switch places with the image. This skill is ideal for clearing minion waves, pushing, and also for farming.
Skill 3: Blazin’ Duet – In his skill 3, Claude and Dexter unleash a basic attack barrage that deals with damage to everything and anyone within their area for 3 seconds. He also gets a shield during the barrage. When Claude’s attack is in a full burst, enemy minions will experience 400% of damage. This skill is ideal for team fights and also for one vs. one fights.
Passive: Battle side-by-side – in his passive, Dexter launches an attack to help Claude. He deals with 35% of Claude damage. He also deals bonus damage to those enemy units that Claude had already damaged with his basic attack.
Builds & Emblems For Claude
When it comes to Claude, it’s hard to stick to one build, and it’s not recommended. Instead, we should try to improvise and build according to the situation. However, here are some useful Claude builds to try out:
Anti lifesteal:
Demon Hunter Sword Swift Boots Golden StaffCorrosion Scythe Deadly BladeBlade of Despair
Crit:
Demon Hunter Sword Swift BootsWindtalker Berserker’s FuryScarlet Phantom Blade of Despair
Speed:
Swift Boots Demon Hunter Sword Golden Staff Windtalker Athena’s Shield Blade of Despair
DPS, Burst:
Demon Hunter Sword Swift Boots Endless Battle Berserker’s Fury Scarlet Phantom Blade of Despair
Pick Swift boots for attack speed, which is quite useful for him. Or you can take Demon Shoes as an alternate for mana regen. Golden staff is also ideal for attack speed. Demon Hunter Sword gives both attack speed and lifesteal. Or take Berserker’s Fury if you want a critical build. Take Windtalker to get a significant amount of attack speed; it also deals with magic damage. Take Scarlet Phantom for attack speed and crit chance. Or take Athenas Shield as an alternate if there are reliable cc or burst heroes. Or you can also take Deadly Blade if there are strong lifesteal heroes. Finally, take Blade of Despair to deal with crazy damage.
Recommended Emblem Sets For Claude:
Fatal level 3/3 Doom level 3/3 Weakness finder 1/1
Recommended Battlespells:
Aegis Inspire Retribution – it’s recommended to farm faster as Claude is very weak during the early game, which is why he needs retribution to jungle first.
Jungle Item:
Hunter’s knife Nimble blade
Counters & Best Teammates
Claude Counters:
Martis, Gusion, Fanny
Claude is Strong Against:
Lesley, Hylos, Minotaur
Best teammates:
Angela, Aurora, Johnson
Combos & Tricks
First, we’re going to focus on and talk about three combos:
Teamfight Combo:
First, go in with your Ulti and deal with some crazy damage. Then put the mirror image of Dexter near you for extra cost to the target. Finally, use your skill 1 to slow the enemy down to finish them. This combo is ideal to use during team fights.
Farming Combo:
First, use skill 1 for stealing the attack speed from the monster. Then put the mirror image of Dexter near the target so that you can kill it faster. Finally, use your skill one again to kill the monster.
Surprise Teamfight Combo:
First, use your skill 2 to place the image in the middle of the fight and switch places with it. Then open fire using your ultimate. Don’t forget to use Aegis (if it’s your battle spell) to counter burst and cc heroes. It is ideal for ganking as well as to escape from the fight if you were about to die.
Attack Combo:
skill 2 > skill 1 > skill 2 > ulti
When you’re going to attack, place your monkey behind so that if short-range enemies come to attack, you can escape by using skill two again, and come back to kill them with your ultimate. This way, even if you’re about to die, you’ll still be able to escape.
Teleport Combo:
skill 1 > skill 2 > skill 2 > ulti
Slow down low hp players with your first skill, then use your second skill in their direction, teleport there and finally use your ulti to kill them.
How to avoid Ganks
If you see the enemy is missing from the top, place the monkey in the top bush. By doing this, you will be able to see the enemy before they reach you. If you know the enemy is missing from the bot, place the monkey in bot bush. This again will allow you to see the enemy before they can reach you and attack. If you put the monkey in the top and the enemy is trying to gank you from mid, then you can escape them easily by pressing skill one again.
Try to check the enemies’ position by placing your monkey in the place most players gank from in bot lane or top. By doing this, you’ll be able to see them standing in the bush or coming into the bush and go back.
Skill Priority:
Skill 1 > Skill 3 > Skill 2
Pros of using Claude:
excellent mobility superb burst damage good extra damage from passive
Cons of using Claude:
weak against high cc heroes also weak against burst heroes with lifesteal