Orianna is a unique and flexible pick in the mid-lane, known for her control and game-changing teamfight potential. With expert insights from Dignitas’s mid-laner Nicolaj ‘Jensen’ Jensen, this guide highlights key strategies to help you master her in solo queue.

Lane Matchups: Identifying Challenges and Skill-Based Matchups

Orianna’s laning phase is exceptionally strong, and she doesn’t face many inherently difficult matchups.

Jensen: “Orianna has gotten a lot of buffs lately and her laning is quite strong. I wouldn’t say she really has any bad matchups, but playing against a good LeBlanc player who punishes you in the early game can be challenging.”

While Orianna does well in most lanes, Champions like LeBlanc can exploit her if they engage early. Jensen adds that matchups against other mages, such as Syndra and Hwei, are skill-based:

Jensen: “If you dodge their skill shots and they don’t dodge yours, you will win those lanes.”

So, to succeed, focus on dodging and landing your own abilities, especially in mage matchups, to come out ahead.

Example Lane Counter, LeBlanc

Runes: Adjusting for the Right Matchup

Rune choices are key to optimizing Orianna’s early poke and mid-game impact. Jensen advises tailoring your rune choice based on the type of opponent in the lane:

Jensen: “Aery is definitely best in melee matchups or in matchups with a lot of trading. I also like to go Comet into ranged matchups because it will output more damage in the long run.”

Using Summon Aery in melee matchups provides steady poke and sustain, while Arcane Comet synergizes well with Orianna’s W slow, ensuring high poke against ranged Champions who won’t dodge as effectively.

Itemization: Core and Situational Buys

Orianna’s itemization is flexible and should adapt to game flow and team needs. Jensen starts with two viable Mythics:

Jensen: “The first item you can choose between Luden’s and Seraph’s. Seraph’s is a bit better because it offers a defensive piece as well, and Orianna is one of the few mages that struggles with Mana.”

Choose Seraph’s Embrace if you’re looking for mana and survivability, or opt for Luden’s Tempest for extra burst damage in the early game. Beyond the first item, Jensen suggests picking Sorcerer’s Shoes and Shadowflame to maximize magic damage output, especially if Orianna is the only AP threat.

Jensen: “Third item, something like Void Staff is good, but if you are struggling defensively, Zhonya’s or Banshee’s is good, too.”

For games where you need more defense, Zhonya’s Hourglass or Banshee’s Veil provides survivability against high burst teams. Rabadon’s Deathcap rounds out Orianna’s kit as a late-game item for peak damage.

Wave Management: Pushing and Controlling Lane

Orianna’s wave management is one of her core strengths. According to Jensen, early lane control hinges on pushing with confidence:

Jensen: “Usually the best thing to do in the mid lane to win lane is to push. If you’re confident, you can try to hit level two first.”

Her Q-W combo is excellent for both waveclear and poke, especially if you reach level two first, creating pressure that can snowball into an early advantage.

Jensen: “If you want to win the lane, you pretty much always have to push.”

Keep an eye on your opponent’s positioning, and push strategically to maintain control without overextending.

Vision Control: Effective Warding Tactics

Orianna’s Q ability can be used to scout for vision, but Jensen suggests relying more on traditional warding placements, especially early in the game:

Jensen: “The best thing you can do is generally to default ward level one. It’s definitely easier on yourself to ward near the Raptors at level 1.”

Jensen warns against overusing Orianna’s Q for vision, as the mana cost can set you back before your first recall. Instead, a standard ward near Raptors at level one provides consistent safety.

Jensen: “If you’re really unsure, you can just Q the bush to see there’s no jungler, then walk in and place a ward.”

Synergy with Junglers: Best Champion Pairings

When it comes to Jungler synergy, Jensen recommends prioritizing Orianna’s own game rather than tailoring to a specific Jungle pick. However, he points out that some engage-focused Junglers mesh particularly well with her ultimate:

Jensen: “In terms of preference, something like Nocturne or Vi that’s for sure the best. She also works well with frontline Champions like Maokai or Sejuani.”

While Orianna can work well with any composition, pairing her with a Jungle Champion who can initiate, such as Vi or Nocturne, helps create the ideal setup for a devastating Command: Shockwave.

Teamfight Positioning: Mastering the Shockwave

Orianna’s Command: Shockwave is one of the most impactful abilities in League, but timing is key. Jensen advises against using it the moment you see a chance:

Jensen: “The beauty of Orianna is that you can be flexible with how you use it. You can use it to engage, but if you use it and they just Flash it, it’s pretty bad.”

Maintaining the threat of Shockwave forces enemies to play cautiously. Jensen explains that it’s often more valuable to hold the ability until it’s guaranteed to hit:

Jensen: “A lot of players try to use it as soon as they see people grouped together, but if you’re not tracking Flashes, it’s not as impactful.”

With careful timing, Orianna can change the course of a teamfight by herself.

Control Over Objectives: Zoning Effectively

Orianna’s Command: Attack allows her to control space around objectives like Dragon and Baron. Jensen explains the importance of positioning the ball at choke points to keep enemies at bay:

Jensen: “You want to use the ball to hold choke points. The ramps in the river are generally the best ones.”

Using her ball in these tight spaces forces enemies to think twice before engaging, as they’ll be pressured by both her poke and the looming threat of Shockwave.

Why Jensen Loves Playing Orianna

For Jensen, Orianna’s ability to influence a game is unmatched. Her zoning capability, paired with high-impact abilities, allows her to control the pace of a fight:

Jensen: “You can change a teamfight by yourself so much more than on other Champions. You have so much control with the ball and taking up space to make it really difficult for the enemy team.”

Orianna’s flexibility and potential to single-handedly win fights make her a favorite pick for those who love precision and control.

Final Takeaways

Orianna is a Champion who rewards skilled play, from dodging skill shots in lane to landing the perfect Shockwave in teamfights. Jensen’s insights provide a roadmap for mastering Orianna’s core strengths and maximizing her game-changing potential. Practice her combos, refine your timing, and Orianna will soon become a powerful asset in your mid-lane arsenal.

We’d like to thank Jensen for taking the time to sit down with us to share his insights on Orianna, the Lady of Clockwork!

If you’d like to hear and see more of Jensen, check out his socials:

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