Know Your Role and Shut Your Mouth: Tanky DPS

Welcome to the first in a series of articles called "Know Your Role and Shut Your Mouth" where I explain the basic principles behind particular roles, as well as how they differ from other roles, the strengths and weaknesses of these roles, how they tend to do throughout the game, and any other information that could explain the role as a whole. Please keep in mind I will be speaking generally. None of this is specific to one particular Champion. I will do my best to be objective and cover as many Champions in this role that I can. I started this back in June, so this and the next will be a bit old, but expect more in the coming weeks!

Tanky DPS Champions (List is as of 27 June 2011)

• Dr. Mundo
• Garen
• Irelia
• Jarvan IV
• Lee Sin
• Nasus
• Olaf
• Pantheon
• Renekton
• Trundle
• Udyr
• Xin Zhao
• Yorick

Tanky DPS is one hell of a role. Taking damage while dishing it out is the name of the game. These Champions are defined by their early game presence (so much so that I have heard them referred to as "First Blood" Champions) as well as their ability to not get damage items and still dole out major pain. They have one or two Crowd Control (CC) abilities ranging from silences to slows to stuns. They also come equip with high damage abilities that can (at times) take down a squishy Champion without much effort.

With an intro like that, you could be saying "Well, I'm never gonna play another type! These guys seem unstoppable." But, they have some major downsides as well. The lack of damage items tends to make them reliant on abilities rather than auto-attacking. They also have some long cooldowns on said abilities as well, making them somewhat bursty. So if your abilities are on cooldown, you just standing there hitting for almost nothing, and taking damage. Along with that, these types tend to have some poor damage scaling, so late game, they are more of an annoyance than a threat.

Before I continue, I'd like to cover the difference between Tanky DPS and "Bulky" DPS. Some would call these two different types of Champion, but I will be including them both in this article. Why, you ask? They play, build, act, and basically ARE the same, with one difference. Crowd Control. Bulky tends to have none or one weak CC. Champions I have listed that fall into this "sub" category are Dr. Mundo, Irelia, Lee Sin, Nasus, and Trundle.

Now, after everything I'd just laid out, you'd still like to play some Tanky DPS? Well, your in luck. Tanky DPS isn't so much a situational type of role. This is the type of role that could and should be included in just about every game. If DreamHack was any indication, Tanky DPS is far superior to Tank in the current meta-game. So no worries on when you should pick Tanky DPS. Just keep in mind good team composition and don't overpick.

So, you enter a game to see that your up against the dreaded Garen! So, that means it's GEEEEGEEEE! No. Tanky DPS isn't as hard to counter as most people think. As I stated before, they have weak points, so exploit them!

If you're in a Ranked/Draft game, there are some great Champions to pick up to counter Tanky DPS. (though some of them are Tanky DPS) Look for True damage (Ex. Olaf, Vayne, Cho' gath, ect. ) CC to stop them from dealing damage (Ex. Any Tank, Anivia, Heimerdinger, ect.) or damage based on health percentage. (Ex. Vayne, Xin Zhao, Mordekaiser, ect. ) These are not the only things to look for, but they are some great places to start.

"But I'm in a Normal Game and/or I don't like/am not good at those Champions. What in the world can I do?" Well, Little Billy, there are other options. If you play Attack Damage Champions like Teemo or Master Yi, get a Madred's Bloodrazor. That will counter them nicely. If your anyone else, do what your meant to do. All you can do is what your meant to do. and support your DPS in taking them down.

Tanky DPS is quite the foe to come across. Heading into a team fight with a good Olaf or Nasus can turn the tieds of this fight. But, as I will always point out, it takes a team to win a game. Knowledge on one role will not win you a game. You need a good team composition as well as competent team mates. So, know your roll, shut your mouth, and GO WIN SOME GAMES!