Yes, Vex is a very strong champion in ARAM, excelling due to her powerful kit that synergizes well with the confined nature of the map. She is currently considered an S-tier champion in ARAM.
Why Vex Excels on the Howling Abyss
Vex's abilities are particularly effective in ARAM's constant teamfights and narrow lanes. Her kit provides significant burst damage, area-of-effect (AoE) crowd control, and strong counter-engage potential, making her a formidable presence.
Here’s a breakdown of why she shines:
- Fear (Doom 'n Gloom Passive & Personal Space (W)): Vex's passive, Doom 'n Gloom, allows her next basic ability to fear enemies upon consuming a mark. Her 'Personal Space' (W) ability can apply this fear in an AoE around her, which is incredibly potent in close-quarters teamfights, disrupting entire enemy teams.
- Anti-Dash Mechanics: Her passive also generates a 'Gloom' mark on enemies who dash or blink, and her next basic attack or ability consumes this mark to deal bonus magic damage and apply fear. This directly counters many popular ARAM champions known for their mobility, such as assassins and skirmishers.
- Ultimate Reset Potential (Shadow Surge (R)): Vex's ultimate, 'Shadow Surge,' allows her to dash to a marked target, dealing damage. If the target dies shortly after being hit by her ultimate, Vex gains the ability to recast it, often leading to multi-kill opportunities and snowballs in ARAM's continuous fights.
- High Burst Damage: Vex possesses high base damages and scaling on her abilities, allowing her to quickly burst down squishy targets or significantly damage tankier ones, especially when chaining her abilities effectively.
- Wave Clear: Her 'Mistral Bolt' (Q) and 'Personal Space' (W) offer decent wave clear, helping to manage minion waves and siege objectives.
Vex's ARAM Performance Metrics
Vex's strong performance in ARAM is supported by her impressive statistics:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Win Rate | 50.9% |
| Pick Rate | 1.0% |
| Tier Ranking | S-tier |
These statistics indicate that despite a moderate pick rate, Vex consistently performs well when chosen, contributing significantly to team victories.
Strategic Tips for Playing Vex in ARAM
To maximize Vex's potential in ARAM, consider these strategies:
- Prioritize Fear Application: Look for opportunities to hit multiple enemies with your 'Personal Space' (W) while your passive is ready to apply AoE fear. This can set up devastating combos for your team.
- Execute Ultimate Resets: Be vigilant for low-health enemies to chain 'Shadow Surge' (R) casts. Each successful kill reset allows you to dive onto another target, often turning the tide of a teamfight.
- Position Safely: While you have great engage potential with your ultimate, Vex is still relatively squishy. Position behind your front line to poke and apply fear, then look for opportune moments to follow up with your ultimate or 'Personal Space' (W) as enemies commit.
- Build Appropriately: Focus on Ability Power (AP) items that enhance your burst damage and provide utility, such as Luden's Companion, Shadowflame, or Zhonya's Hourglass for survivability.
- Capitalize on Enemy Dashes: Constantly be aware of enemies who dash. Your passive will mark them, giving you an easy opportunity for bonus damage and fear.
By leveraging her unique anti-dash mechanics, powerful AoE fear, and ultimate reset potential, Vex stands out as a top-tier choice for dominating the Howling Abyss.
