Overview
This guide to mastering Azir in League of Legends covers five essential techniques: the Shurima Shuffle combo, optimal sand soldier positioning, flexible build paths, advanced lane management, and strategic team fight execution. Despite being one of the game’s most mechanically demanding champions with a steep learning curve, dedicated practice of these techniques can transform players from beginners to formidable carries capable of game-changing outplays.
Table of Contents
- Tip 1: Master the Shurima Shuffle
- Tip 2: Optimal Sand Soldier Positioning
- Tip 3: Build Paths and Item Optimization
- Tip 4: Advanced Lane Management
- Tip 5: Team Fight Positioning and Execution
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Are you ready to command the sands and rise as an emperor on the Rift? Azir stands as one of League of Legends’ most mechanically demanding champions, with a kit that can simultaneously frustrate newcomers and reward dedicated players with game-changing outplays. While his learning curve is steeper than Mount Targon itself, mastering the Shuriman Emperor unlocks a level of gameplay few other champions can match.
As a former mid lane main who’s clocked hundreds of hours on Azir, I’ve witnessed countless players pick him up only to abandon him after a few rough games. That’s why I’ve compiled these five essential tips that transformed my own Azir gameplay from feeding frenzy to fearsome carry. Whether you’re just starting your journey with Azir or looking to refine your skills, these strategies will help you ascend to new heights.
Tip 1: Master the Shurima Shuffle
The Shurima Shuffle isn’t just Azir’s signature move—it’s one of the most respected mechanical outplays in League. This combination allows you to reposition both yourself and enemy champions, often catching opponents completely off-guard and changing the course of a teamfight.
The basic execution involves:
- Placing a Sand Soldier (W) within range of your target
- Dashing to the soldier with Shifting Sands (E)
- Mid-dash, using Conquering Sands (Q) to extend your dash trajectory behind your targets
- Casting Emperor’s Divide (R) to push enemies back toward your team
The most common mistake I see new Azir players make is rushing the combo. There’s a rhythm to it—you need to wait until you’re midway through your E dash before pressing Q, otherwise you’ll cut your dash short and find yourself in no-man’s land.
To practice effectively, head into the Practice Tool and set up dummy targets. Start by mastering the E-Q mobility combo without the ultimate, focusing on consistency before adding in the Emperor’s Divide finisher. Aim for 10 successful shuffles in a row before heading into a real game.
Tip 2: Optimal Sand Soldier Positioning
Your sand soldiers are extensions of your power—living (well, sand) manifestations of your control over the battlefield. Proper soldier positioning separates decent Azir players from dominant ones.
During laning phase, place soldiers to cover both the minion wave and your opponent’s position, forcing them to choose between CS and taking free damage. Against melee champions, keep a soldier between them and their minions to deny farm.
In teamfights, resist the urge to immediately place all soldiers at once. Stagger your soldier placements to maintain consistent DPS as fights shift positions. Remember that soldiers attack the closest target, so position them behind the frontline for maximum effectiveness against priority targets.
A trick many players overlook: use soldiers to check bushes and narrow jungle pathways without face-checking. This vision control is particularly valuable when setting up around objectives like Baron and Dragon.
Tip 3: Build Paths and Item Optimization
Azir’s build flexibility is one of his strengths, allowing you to adapt to different game scenarios.
Core items that synergize exceptionally well with Azir include:
- Nashor’s Tooth: Provides attack speed that directly improves soldier attack frequency
- Liandry’s Anguish: Excels against health-stacking teams and extended fights
- Shadowflame: Strong against shield-heavy compositions
Your major power spike occurs at two items, typically Nashor’s plus either Liandry’s or Luden’s. This is when your damage output becomes truly threatening, especially if you’ve maintained decent CS.
For runes, Lethal Tempo provides excellent sustained damage in extended fights, while Conqueror works well against tankier compositions. First Strike can be valuable in matchups where you can safely proc it. Always take Presence of Mind in your secondary tree—Azir’s mana hunger is real, especially during extended sieges.
Tip 4: Advanced Lane Management
Azir’s wave control capabilities are among the best in the game, but they require finesse.
Against assassins like Akali or other mobile assassins, maintain a frozen wave near your tower during levels 3-5 when they’re most dangerous. Use your soldiers to last hit without pushing, forcing them to overextend for CS.
Against control mages like Anivia with her zoning potential, leverage your range advantage to push and harass simultaneously. After hitting level 6, look to slow-push waves into their tower before recalling, creating a timing window where they must choose between following your roam or losing minions.
Ward the entrance to the enemy raptors around 3:15 to track the jungler’s early pathing. Since Azir is naturally pushed up in many matchups, this vision information is crucial for survival.
A lesser-known technique: when rotating to objectives, place a soldier in the mid lane and command it to attack as you leave, maintaining pressure even when you’re absent.
Tip 5: Team Fight Positioning and Execution
Azir’s team fighting prowess is legendary, but it requires constant positional awareness.
Start fights from maximum soldier range, using your W-Q combo to maintain distance while outputting damage. Save your E as an escape tool until you’re absolutely certain you can secure a kill with a shuffle.
Your ultimate, Emperor’s Divide, serves multiple purposes:
- Defensively to peel assassins and divers
- Offensively to isolate priority targets
- Disruptively to split enemy teams in choke points
In late-game scenarios (35+ minutes), position yourself to threaten both the enemy backline and objectives. One well-executed Shurima Shuffle can end the game, but one positioning mistake can cost your team everything.
An underrated late-game strategy: use your passive to raise a turret in a cleared enemy base while your team creates pressure elsewhere. This forces difficult decisions from the enemy team and can secure otherwise contested objectives.
Conclusion
Mastering how to play Azir isn’t a destination but a journey—one that will test your mechanical skills, game knowledge, and strategic thinking. These five tips provide the foundation, but true mastery comes from experience and adaptation.
Remember that even veteran Azir players make mistakes. What separates good Azir players from great ones isn’t flawless execution but the ability to recognize and learn from those mistakes. Be patient with yourself as you climb the learning curve.
At League Coach Merch, we’ve seen countless players transform from hesitant beginners to confident emperors through dedicated practice and the right guidance. If you’re serious about mastering Azir, consider checking out our personalized coaching sessions with high-elo Azir specialists who can provide tailored feedback on your gameplay.
For those interested in exploring other mid lane champions with unique playstyles, consider trying Ahri for mobility-focused plays or Aurelion Sol for roaming pressure.
What Azir techniques have worked best for you? Share your experiences in the comments below, and let’s build a community of Shuriman emperors ready to command the Rift!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Azir good for beginners in League of Legends?
Azir is generally not recommended for beginners due to his high mechanical skill ceiling and complex positioning requirements. New players should first master the fundamentals of League before tackling Azir. If you’re determined to learn him early, expect a steeper learning curve and be prepared to invest significant time in practice. According to Riot’s official champion difficulty ratings, Azir consistently ranks among the most challenging champions.
What is the best build for Azir in the current meta?
The current meta favors a build that starts with Nashor’s Tooth for attack speed, followed by either Liandry’s Anguish (against tanky teams) or Luden’s Tempest (against squishier compositions). Shadowflame, Void Staff, and Rabadon’s Deathcap round out the damage items, with Zhonya’s Hourglass providing crucial survivability. For runes, Lethal Tempo or Conqueror remain the most consistent choices, paired with Presence of Mind in your secondary tree to manage mana costs.
How do I counter Azir in lane?
To counter Azir, play champions with high mobility and burst damage that can bypass his soldiers, such as Zed, Fizz, or LeBlanc. Force all-ins during his cooldowns, particularly after he uses his Q. Engage when his ultimate is down, as this removes his primary defensive tool. Coordinate with your jungler for early ganks, as Azir is vulnerable to pressure before level 6 and lacks reliable escape options when his E is on cooldown.
How long does it take to master Azir?
Mastering Azir typically requires 100+ games to become proficient and 200+ games to truly excel. Unlike many champions, Azir’s learning curve extends beyond mechanical execution to include advanced concepts like soldier management, positioning, and matchup-specific strategies. Professional players like PowerOfEvil have noted that they continued discovering new Azir techniques even after hundreds of games on the champion.
When should I pick Azir in my ranked games?
Azir is best picked when your team needs reliable AP damage with zone control capabilities. He excels in compositions that can protect him while he scales and thrives in objective-focused games where his soldier DPS can shine. Consider picking Azir when facing immobile mages or when your team has strong frontline champions. Avoid blindly picking him when the enemy team has multiple dive champions or when your team lacks peel, as these scenarios make it difficult to maximize his effectiveness.
