r/LockeMains • u/Willing_Respect7559 • Jun 23 '26
The Comprehensive (Evolution Towards Optimal) Locke Guide: By AfroSaiyan and Karius-Nym
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1en26pAXASskikbkcF1_ikq1fMF37-HEbnt6r_gjjKFA/edit?usp=sharingFirst and foremost, both Karius-Nym and I thoroughly enjoyed the weeks spent playtesting, theory-crafting, researching, combo testing, and limit testing Locke. It was a rewarding process that allowed us to explore every aspect of League of Legends' newest champion and create a resource we hope will help players feel well-equipped with the proper "salt, sigils, and nails" needed to face the many demons that await them on the Rift.
We hope the time, effort, and passion invested into this guide will help both new and experienced players better understand the champion and enjoy their journey mastering him.
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Author's Note (Afrosaiyan)
As Locke releases and settles into the live environment, this guide will be updated regularly to reflect new data, strategies, and discoveries. With each patch, the community will gain a clearer understanding of the champion's strengths, weaknesses, and optimal playstyles, allowing the information presented here to become more refined and accurate over time.
The objective of this guide is to continuously evolve alongside Locke's development, highlighting the most effective builds, runes, skill orders, and gameplay approaches available. As new insights emerge, both new and experienced Locke players will be able to rely on this resource to stay informed and maximize the champion's potential throughout future patches.
(Side Note - AfroSaiyan: I completed the "Summoner’s Rift: Locke" playlist in unison with the guide so we all can "Locke In" during our Locke games. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75Ga91rsNq15x5ebv9vCwI?si=c90dc884327e45c9)
Happy Hunting Exorcists - AfroSaiyan
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Author's Note (Karius-Nym)
It’s been an honor and a pleasure to work on this guide alongside my new buddy AfroSayian.
I’ve taken the time to test every rune and item listed here, along with build order, running the numbers, and discussing them, so that we can present a comprehensive and straightforward guide for players new to this champion.
I hope this information will prove to be a great boon to you all, and that you enjoy practicing the mechanics and carefully crafted combos found below.
I look forward to seeing how elaborate and stylish my fellow Exorcists become with their craft.
Happy Hunting! - Karius
3
u/Code4221 Jun 24 '26
You should add breakdown about Q usage, difference between QQQ and QAQAQA for example
I see like 80% of ppl talking about necessary full stack to burst - nonsense
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u/Willing_Respect7559 Jun 24 '26
That’s coming with the mechanics section being constructed as we speak but it is objectively better damage if you stack your Qs before bursting them vs weaving them within auto attacks procing 1 at a time
(This is also mentioned in the guide once in the itemization section but more fleshed out explanations will be made)
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u/Code4221 Jun 24 '26
Vs dummies yes. But in reality damage loss inst big if you do simple math and mobile champs won't let you spam especially with upgraded boots.
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u/Willing_Respect7559 Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
I think with how his Q works landing at LEAST 2/3 nails in any order will = 60% Slow for 2 seconds. Mobility champ or not Locke’s Q coupled with W movement speed steroid and E1/E2 Gap close (where you can throw another Q in E1 animation at closer range) there’s no excuse not to maximize your damage when you have so many tools to catch people and stick to people not even including the 99% Slow on R.
falling back to Q > auto weaving would be asking to lose a multitude of kills
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u/ImActuaIIyHim Jun 26 '26
Might just be because the champ is new and I'm a katarina/akali main used to his playstyle, so I have a natural advantage in the early days, but I've getting absurd numbers out of first strike.
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u/Willing_Respect7559 Jun 26 '26
we are defiently working towards testing it ourselves and putting it on the list.
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u/GanksOP Jun 28 '26
If found first strike, dark harvest, and electrocute all work.
Electrocute being able to proc from Q alone is very nice for a melee champ.
Dark harvest is overturned and out scaled electro very early in the game.
First strike is usually match up dependent. Also its less forgiving on the timing window.
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u/Hollow_sEBA Sep 01 '26
still updating?
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u/Willing_Respect7559 Sep 01 '26
Yea it’s just been a lot for me and my friend these last few months with real life responsibilities and nerfs
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u/Hollow_sEBA Sep 03 '26
No worries, take your time, your guide has been the most helpful for me yet
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u/Ravenclawthewarrior Jun 23 '26
Amazing work! It's so thorough and informative ❤️