Terry "Big" Chuong's second most played champion, Rakan, isn't doing so hot right now in the NA LCS. However, Big manages to have an astonishing win rate of 66.7% over 6 games. How does he do it? Let's take a look.

Understanding the Meta

The support meta has shifted over the length of the split thus far.

In the beginning of the split, the meta favored mage supports because of their ability to make picks and deal enough lane damage to turn fights and ganks while still retaining the ability to shield up the backline while behind.

Now, as teams are starting to find their footing and playing towards their strengths, a bigger role for the support has emerged in setting up fights, disrupting the enemy team, and peeling hard against diving bruisers.

The hit towards the assassin meta meant that fighters became more prominent and the damage output from supports wilted after laning phase. It provides good pressure in the lane, but when tankier champions appear in the late game, they can simply shrug off the damage.

In lane, their presence has been diminished by the power-ups to Doran's Shield. Champions that have disruption abilities, as well as utility to aid engage and set up plays, are now the support meta.

Coming to a Bot Lane Near You

Most notable among these champions are Thresh, Braum, Tahm Kench, Blitzcrank, and Rakan.

Champions like Tahm Kench (15W/13L), Braum (19W/17L), and Thresh (23W/19L) sit pretty with slightly above 50% win rates. They’re all solid picks that are used in many games. They can swing teamfights and objective control greatly while maintaining lane pressure and be effective both while ahead and behind.

Why Rakan?

At a record of 10W/17L, Rakan stands at a 37% win rate.

But let's take a look at what this champion can offer a team before we discount him. Rakan is more of an engaging machine that can weave in and out of the fight. With his breakneck speed, Rakan can traverse crazy distances and, with the help of Flash, can create almost instant teamfight knock-ups.

Big shows us how good Rakan's mobility can be. Two chasing knock-ups to prevent base defense and seal a game.

Itemization

Starting Item - Spellthief's Edge vs Ancient Coin

It comes down to two factors

1) Does my lane allow me to weave around and pick up the coin and mana drops if I get Ancient Coin?

2) Will I be able to be fully effective without Talisman of Ascension's mobility?

The first point is the more difficult one. Does your lane composition vs their lane composition give you any breathing space? It's scary to walk up against Braum or Blitzcrank, and also might not be wise if your ADC is a weaker early game champion, like Twitch.

The second point is a bit easier to see. If the enemy team has great escape capability like Tahm Kench or Thresh or good overall mobility, it's probably a good idea to invest in the Talisman.

Spellthief's Edge could be upgraded into a Frostfang for the midgame, but it usually gets sold in favor of a tanky or utility item. It is not worth finishing or converting into a Sightstone item.

Before upgrading the support item, pick up a Sightstone and Sweeping Lens/Oracle Alteration, Boots of Lucidity, and then finish off the Ruby Sightstone. This is needed because, as the game progresses and Rakan starts to be vital to engage, it's important that health trades are done cleanly and smartly. Having more health means living longer and being able to absorb more damage.

Mid to Late game item choices.

Locket of the Iron Solari – Tanky stats to survive engage, it's a versatile item that also gives damage absorption to the entire team. If Big goes in, the team goes with him. Because Rakan also jumps to allies, the shield can be used in the clutch to escape death or allow a better trade.

Redemption - Gives a ton of regeneration and cooldown reduction. Strengthens shields and heals. Can be controlled very well because Rakan's lockdown spells are all area based and will be great in getting health advantages in a teamfight. Rakan literally benefits from every stat and number increase on this item.

Mikael's Crucible - Also strengthens shields and heals. Enables carries against hard CC and also grants a movement speed bonus to help reposition. Vital against divers and long range engage that can end a teamfight before it begins.

Laning

In lane, Rakan is a short range support but has built in sustain and passive shield. The shield allows him to survive the lane phase and to take advantage of any potential engages he sees.

Because Team Dignitas focuses on high jungle pressure, catching the opponents out with superior map control and making plays happen around the map, this is a good support to suit the playstyle. It can be used to disengage and also force pressure when in good situations.

As discussed before, the support meta highly values the things that Rakan is capable off, but also emphasizes his weaknesses. In lane, his mobility must be conserved to either escape a bad situation or ensure a guaranteed kill. Both sides know this, so the lane will turn into a tense farmfest where no one wants to make the first move.

As a result, your bot lanes will often look something like this:

But that's ok!

Playing safer in lane and not giving up ground is already a win, as Rakan will shine more in the late game. He can't quite turn tables and blow open teamfights during the early game laning phase.

Setting Up a Win

High mobility allows him to stay out of a fight, clearing pressure and also looking for a perfect engage when the enemy is wary about a different direction.

The enemy Ahri uses Spirit Rush and Charm to try and engage a fight. Big immediately turns around when she gets within range. A great Redemption active heals Team Dignitas and keeps the team healthy enough to keep the enemies from collapsing.

In the late game, Rakan has massive engage potential out of vision range. His mobility combined with sharp engagement speed makes it virtually impossible to see Rakan before he’s already on top of the team or react in time to the unexpected appearance.

Big manages to catch the enemy team as they move to check Baron.

This is why it is so important to control vision as Rakan. When you have the ability to just appear and knock up the entire enemy team, you will be a prime target. If they know you are going to be coming and can watch you try to engage, you will get absolutely deleted before your team can come to your aid. Big shows us that solo flanking can work extremely well on Rakan, but you must use your speed to catch them off-guard. Most of Rakan's effectiveness comes from being in the middle of everything.

Rakan can synergize with nearly any team comp. AOE damage is easier to land on a clump of non-moving targets. With single target bursters, Rakan can isolate enemy champions or split a fight so that the rest of the team can come and dismantle the fight.

Conclusion

Rakan is a complete game changer when properly played. This opportunistic champ requires focus at all times to make proper decisions without blinking. His mobility must be used both offensively and defensively in order to create positive trades. Hopefully, this look at Big's Rakan has helped you gain a better grasp of the champion's potential.