Vladimir wins through repeated sustain, untargetability from Sanguine Pool, and large area burst when enemies group around Hemoplague. Counter him with anti-heal when appropriate, spread formations, and delayed crowd control that lands after Pool ends.
Quick Counter
Best counter type: Anti-heal, pool tracking, anti-clump spacing, and delayed control
Biggest danger: Several teammates grouped for Hemoplague while Vladimir uses Sanguine Pool to ignore the first control layer
Best defensive response: Spread before his engage and save follow-up control for the moment Pool ends
Best punish window: Immediately after Sanguine Pool is spent
Fight plan: Limit grouped burst, force Pool with the first threat, then lock Vladimir down when he becomes targetable again.
What Vladimir wants
Several enemies grouped for Hemoplague.
A fight long enough for repeated Transfusion healing.
Opponents who spend every control spell into Sanguine Pool.
Low-pressure lanes where he can scale freely.
How to beat Vladimir
Spread before major fights so Hemoplague cannot tag the whole team.
Apply Grievous Wounds when his healing is materially deciding fights.
Use the first control or burst layer to force Sanguine Pool, then hold follow-up for his reappearance.
Do not let him freely repeat short sustain trades if your composition can force a decisive engage.
Best counter tools
Grievous Wounds when healing is significant.
Layered crowd control.
Spread formations.
Burst timed after Sanguine Pool.
Power spikes
Early: He is more punishable before sustain and ability haste accumulate.
Mid: Repeated healing plus Pool makes short fights increasingly difficult to finish.
Late: Large area burst and sustain become severe, making spacing and layered control essential.
Key abilities to track
Sanguine Pool: Untargetability lets Vladimir dodge the first major threat. The best punish usually comes immediately after he exits.
Hemoplague: The ultimate rewards tightly grouped enemies and amplifies the follow-up burst. Spacing sharply lowers its teamfight value.
Best items into Vladimir
Morellonomicon: A practical anti-heal option for magic damage champions who can apply it consistently.
Mortal Reminder: Useful for physical damage champions needing reliable Grievous Wounds.
Stasis Enchant: Can deny the peak Hemoplague burst if you are one of the primary targets.
Common mistakes
Grouping tightly for Hemoplague.
Using every control spell before Sanguine Pool.
Ignoring anti-heal when healing is deciding the fight.
Backing off after Pool instead of using the cooldown window.
Fight them in this order
1. Spread before Vladimir reaches the team.
2. Force Sanguine Pool with the first threat.
3. Apply anti-heal if sustain is meaningful.
4. Control and burst him immediately after Pool ends.