Hextech Gunblade was once a centerpiece of hybrid itemization in League of Legends, delivering unmatched value to champions scaling with both ability power and attack damage. With its unique stat profile, active utility, and lore-infused identity, Gunblade represented an iconic convergence of gameplay mechanics and thematic depth. Though it was removed from Summoner’s Rift with the Preseason 11 item overhaul, the legacy of this legendary item continues to influence champion builds, community theorycrafting, and the ongoing debate surrounding hybrid damage scaling in League of Legends.

Hextech Origins: Magic Meets Engineering

At its core, Hextech Gunblade embodied the duality of Piltover’s innovation—where arcane energy and mechanical advancement collided. The term “Hextech” refers to this intricate synthesis, and the Gunblade stood as a symbol of that convergence. Though its lore hinted at connections with champions such as Jayce, Viktor, and Jinx, the item’s reach extended to champions far beyond those narratives, finding purpose in assassins, duelists, and hybrid casters across Runeterra.

Stat Profile: What Made Gunblade So Unique?

In its final version before removal from Summoner’s Rift, Hextech Gunblade offered an exceptional blend of offensive value and utility:

  • 80 Ability Power
  • 40 Attack Damage
  • 15% Omnivamp – healing from all sources of damage (applies to both abilities and attacks)
  • Active – Lightning Bolt: Deals instant magic damage to a target and slows them by 40% for 2 seconds (30-second cooldown)

The rare fusion of AP, AD, sustain, and active crowd control gave champions with hybrid scaling something no other item could: efficient stat allocation without compromise. For further reading on the item’s evolution, refer to the official League Wiki.

Strategic Integration into Champion Builds

Gunblade’s value extended beyond pure stats. It fit builds that revolved around fluid combat involving both auto-attacks and ability rotations. Champions that required both damage types or scaled with dual ratios could fully exploit Gunblade’s potential. Additionally, its omnivamp empowered them to survive extended trades, while its active was essential in closing gaps, turning duels, or chasing down opponents.

Why Dual Scaling Was Valuable

At a time when hybrid stat items were almost nonexistent, Hextech Gunblade offered the perfect complement to kits blending physical and magical damage. Without needing to sacrifice one stat to gain another, champions could fully realize their scaling and spike earlier in the game.

Champions Who Excelled with Gunblade

  • Katarina: Gunblade’s active allowed for seamless dagger resets while omnivamp granted staying power through high-risk assassinations.
  • Akali: The Lightning Bolt ensured her shuriken flip connected, making her burst more consistent and harder to escape.
  • Jax (Situational): Though not a meta staple, hybrid Jax builds utilizing Gunblade offered surprising burst while sustaining through trades.
  • Others (Evelynn, Kayle, Teemo, Kennen): Niche or experimental builds often incorporated Gunblade for its unusual flexibility across damage formats.

All these champions relied on alternating between auto-attacks and high-damage spells, making full use of Gunblade’s stat allocation and sustain in skirmishes and teamfights.

Power Spikes: Optimal Timing for Purchase

Gunblade was most effective as a first or second item. On champions that required early pressure and lane dominance, rushing it enabled aggressive trades and early skirmishing. Its omnivamp kept them healthy during poke-heavy matchups, and the active promoted kill pressure through slows and burst.

Recommended Item Pairings

  • Spell cycle enhancers: Hextech Rocketbelt, Nashor’s Tooth, Lich Bane
  • Penetration options: Sorcerer’s Shoes, Void Staff, Black Cleaver
  • Defensive supports: Spirit Visage, Zhonya’s Hourglass
  • Mobility and catch tools: Dead Man’s Plate, Hextech Protobelt

For deeper build combinations and experimental theorycrafting, consult Mobafire and RankedBoost.

Optimal Rune Choices for Gunblade Users

  • Conqueror: Promoted healing and extended trades – ideal for Akali, Jax
  • Electrocute: Focused on short bursts and assassinations – perfect for Katarina
  • Sustain Amplifiers: Taste of Blood, Ravenous Hunter, Triumph
  • Cooldown Optimization: Transcendence for increased ability and active usage

In-Game Execution: Maximizing Gunblade Impact

  • Active Strategy: Time the Lightning Bolt to initiate or finish a kill sequence
  • Rotation Rhythm: Alternate abilities with auto-attacks to fully leverage omnivamp
  • Chase or Escape: Use the active as a tool for gap closing or disengagement
  • Target Priority: Aim for vulnerable carries or high-value targets with limited mobility
  • Sustain Dominance: Force prolonged exchanges where your healing becomes decisive

Identifying Weaknesses and Counterplay

  • Grievous Wounds: Items like Morellonomicon, Executioner’s Calling significantly diminished Gunblade’s sustain
  • Burst Damage: Champions with overwhelming frontload damage could kill before omnivamp activated
  • Hard Crowd-Control: Stuns or roots locked out Gunblade’s active usage and healing window
  • High Cost: Falling behind delayed power spikes, weakening early influence

Skilled opponents often built anti-heal or relied on fast-engage compositions to neutralize Gunblade users before they became unmanageable.

Post-Gunblade: Current Itemization Options

With the Preseason 11 overhaul, Gunblade was officially removed to simplify itemization and reduce balance complexity. While certain modern items offer fragments of its design, no single item replicates its entire package:

  • Riftmaker: Provides sustain and scaling AP – preferred for AP bruisers
  • Hextech Rocketbelt: Active damage and mobility, but lacks healing and AD
  • Blade of the Ruined King: Offers physical sustain and on-hit utility, no AP

This divergence forces champions to specialize rather than embrace hybrid flexibility. Read more historical comparison via u.gg’s Gunblade entry.

Gunblade’s Role in TFT and Expanded Legacy

Though extinct within Summoner’s Rift, the Gunblade thrives in Teamfight Tactics. There, it maintains its hybrid appeal by granting healing from spell damage, AP, and AD – reasserting its identity as the auto-battler’s item of choice for resilient caster-based carries.

The Enduring Legacy of Hextech Gunblade

To this day, Hextech Gunblade is remembered for enabling creative builds, rewarding high skill expression, and filling a crucial niche within League’s deep item ecosystem. Its removal sparked ongoing debate about the role of hybrid itemization, and whether the game is richer or poorer without it. Until Riot reintroduces a true AP/AD hybrid item, players will continue to honor Gunblade through community discussions, retrospective montages, and memory-fueled theorycrafting.

For a deeper dive into the Gunblade’s history and nostalgia, explore this classic montage below or visit dedicated resources like ChampionCounter’s Gunblade matchup data.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hextech Gunblade

What made Gunblade truly unique?

It was the only item to offer high values of both AP and AD, alongside omnivamp and an active slow – ideal for dual-scaling champions.

Why was it removed from the game?

Riot removed Hextech Gunblade as part of the Preseason 11 overhaul to streamline gameplay and remove overlapping hybrid itemization that complicated champion balance. Read more on the official League Wiki.

Which champions used Gunblade most effectively?

Katarina and Akali were its most iconic users, though champions like Jax, Kayle, and Evelynn occasionally utilized the item in hybrid-focused strategies.

Was the item ever viable on ranged champions?

Rarely. Some Teemo and Kennen builds made use of it, but most of Gunblade’s strength catered to melee combo champions.

What exactly did the active do?

It delivered targeted magic damage and a 40% slow for two seconds, creating opportunities for gap closing, disengage, or setup combos.

Did any single item replace Gunblade?

No. The item was unique in how it addressed both AP and AD scaling simultaneously. Modern alternatives serve specialized roles.

Is it usable in any current League game modes?

No, it does not exist in any official game mode besides Teamfight Tactics (TFT), where it upholds its hybrid identity.

What runes synergized with Gunblade?

Conqueror for sustain-oriented trades, Electrocute for burst damage, and secondary runes enhancing healing or cooldown reduction.

How should Gunblade be used in combos?

Ideally, activate the item just before using key abilities to ensure targets remain in range for heavy damage follow-up.

In which stage of the game was it strongest?

Gunblade shined in the mid-game, particularly for snowballing champions. Its high gold cost made it risky to delay or build late.

What countered Gunblade effectively?

Grievous Wounds, CC-heavy compositions, burst champions, and gold-starved games rendered Gunblade builds more vulnerable.

Will hybrid items like Gunblade return?

There’s no official confirmation, but the League community continues to voice interest in reviving hybrid item paths in future updates.