Claude Late Game Dominance: Mastering Mobile Legends

by Jhon Lennon 53 views

Hey Mobile Legends players! Ever felt that late-game pain when facing a Claude? This article dives deep into why Claude becomes such a menace in the late game. We'll explore his abilities, item builds, strategies, and how to counter him. So, buckle up, because we're about to dissect the late-game terror that is Claude.

Understanding the Late-Game Powerhouse: Claude's Abilities

To truly appreciate Claude's late-game strength, you've got to understand his kit. He's not just some random marksman; his abilities are meticulously designed to scale incredibly well as the game progresses. Let's break it down, shall we?

  • Passive - Battle Sidekick: Claude's passive is the foundation of his damage output. Every time Claude deals damage, his sidekick, Dexter, deals damage as well. This effectively doubles his basic attack damage, making him a menace in team fights. The key is that Dexter also applies on-hit effects, which is crucial for maximizing the effectiveness of items like Demon Hunter Sword and Golden Staff. This passive essentially means Claude can out-trade almost any other marksman in the early to mid-game, setting him up for a strong late-game performance. Without Dexter, Claude would be just another marksman. With him, he becomes a force to be reckoned with. The constant, consistent damage from Battle Sidekick makes it challenging for enemies to effectively trade hits with Claude, forcing them to either back off or risk taking significant damage.

  • First Skill - Blazing Duet: Claude throws out a smoke bomb that deals damage and reduces the enemy's movement and attack speed. While not the primary source of damage, Blazing Duet is essential for team fight control and kiting. It slows enemies down, making them easier targets for Claude and Dexter. Its primary function isn't just raw damage; it's about controlling the battlefield. The slow effect is crucial for positioning and survival, allowing Claude to keep enemies at bay while maintaining a safe distance. This skill gives Claude the edge in chasing down enemies or escaping from sticky situations. It's a great skill to use before a team fight to set the stage for your team, or to save yourself from a gank.

  • Second Skill - Battle Mirror Image: This is Claude's bread and butter for mobility. He dashes in a designated direction, leaving behind a mirror image of himself. He can reactivate this skill to swap places with the mirror image. This skill is incredibly important for both offensive and defensive purposes. It is a vital part of his escape mechanism, allowing him to quickly reposition and evade enemy attacks or ganks. Claude can use Battle Mirror Image to jump over walls, traverse treacherous terrain, and escape from dangerous situations. In team fights, this skill provides exceptional versatility. Claude can use Battle Mirror Image to engage in combat, positioning himself for optimal damage output, or to disengage and retreat to a safer location when the fight turns sour. This skill also adds a layer of mind games to Claude's gameplay, as enemies have to predict where the real Claude will be when he swaps places with his mirror image.

  • Ultimate - Blazing Duet: Claude's ultimate creates a large area of damage, dealing continuous damage to enemies within its radius. It's a game-changer in team fights, melting down enemy health bars in seconds. Dexter attacks enemies within the area, dealing massive damage to multiple targets. This is where Claude truly shines in the late game. This skill is what turns Claude into a late-game monster. This skill allows Claude to deal massive amounts of damage to multiple enemies at once. The AOE (Area of Effect) damage from Blazing Duet combined with Dexter's attacks makes it difficult for enemies to survive, especially if they are grouped together. Furthermore, the ability to move while casting his ultimate allows Claude to reposition himself and maintain a safe distance while dishing out the pain. Properly timed, this can wipe out the enemy team. When you combine this with the right items, it's pretty much a guaranteed team-wipe scenario.

Item Builds: Maximizing Claude's Late-Game Potential

Choosing the right item build is crucial to maximize Claude's late-game dominance. There are several effective builds, but here's a popular and highly effective option:

  • Tough Boots / Swift Boots: Start with boots for movement speed. Tough Boots are a good choice if the enemy team has a lot of crowd control, while Swift Boots are a better choice for sustained attack speed.

  • Demon Hunter Sword: This item is a core item for Claude. It provides attack damage and attack speed and deals bonus damage based on the enemy's current HP. This is very effective against tanks and high-health targets.

  • Golden Staff: This item significantly boosts Claude's attack speed and converts attack speed to attack damage. Dexter's attack also benefits from this. The passive of this item helps Claude to scale rapidly, making him even more dangerous in the late game.

  • Windtalker: Windtalker offers a combination of attack speed, movement speed, and critical chance. Its passive also deals additional magic damage to multiple enemies, which synergizes well with Dexter's AOE attacks.

  • Scarlet Phantom: This item further enhances critical chance and attack speed, amplifying Claude's damage output during team fights.

  • Immortality / Athena's Shield: Choose Immortality for a second chance if you get bursted down or Athena's Shield to reduce magic damage.

Remember, item builds are flexible. You can adjust your build based on the enemy team composition. If the enemy team has a lot of armor, consider adding Malefic Roar to shred their armor. If you need more sustain, consider adding Bloodlust Axe for spell vamp.

Late-Game Strategies: How to Play Claude Effectively

Playing Claude effectively in the late game isn't just about clicking buttons; it's about strategic positioning, awareness, and decision-making. Here are some key strategies:

  • Prioritize Farming and Objectives: In the early and mid-game, focus on farming efficiently to get your core items. Secure buffs, take down turrets, and help your team secure objectives like the Lord and Turtle. The more gold you accumulate, the quicker you'll reach your power spikes.

  • Team Fight Positioning: Claude is squishy. His primary function is to deal damage from a safe distance, not to be a front-line fighter. Utilize Battle Mirror Image to reposition during team fights. Stay behind your tank or fighter, and constantly attack the closest enemy. Always be aware of enemy assassins or heroes who can dive you.

  • Utilize Dexter: Dexter is your best friend. Position yourself so Dexter can hit as many enemies as possible, maximizing your damage output during team fights. Use Blazing Duet to deal massive AOE damage and force the enemy team to retreat or risk getting wiped out.

  • Kiting and Poke: Use Blazing Duet to poke and soften up enemies before a team fight. Use Blazing Duet and Battle Mirror Image in tandem to kite enemies, keeping them at a distance while dealing damage. Claude’s skills provide the perfect synergy for hit and run tactics. You deal damage, and then get out safely.

  • Map Awareness: Constantly check the map. Know where the enemy heroes are, and be prepared to react to ganks or ambushes. Don't overextend; always be aware of your surroundings to prevent getting caught out of position.

Counters: How to Stop Claude's Reign of Terror

Even a powerful late-game hero like Claude has weaknesses. Here’s how to counter him:

  • Burst Damage: Heroes with high burst damage can quickly eliminate Claude before he can dish out his damage. Assassins like Fanny, Ling, and Lancelot, as well as mages like Eudora and Aurora, can be very effective in this regard. The key is to catch him off-guard and eliminate him quickly.

  • Crowd Control: Crowd control abilities can disrupt Claude's mobility and prevent him from using Battle Mirror Image effectively. Heroes with strong crowd control, like Franco, Atlas, and Tigreal, can be invaluable in team fights by locking him down.

  • Anti-Attack Speed Items: Items like Dominance Ice and Antique Cuirass reduce attack speed, which can significantly hinder Claude's damage output. Build these items against Claude to reduce his damage output.

  • Out-Farming Claude: Try to prevent Claude from getting ahead in gold by ganking him early, counter-jungling, and focusing on securing objectives. A behind-schedule Claude is less effective.

  • Prioritize Claude in Team Fights: Focus fire on Claude during team fights. If you can eliminate him early, his damage output will be severely reduced.

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Claude

Claude is a formidable marksman in Mobile Legends, especially in the late game. Understanding his abilities, building the right items, adopting effective strategies, and knowing his counters are essential to maximizing his potential. With practice, you can dominate the battlefield and become a force to be reckoned with. So, get out there, practice, and dominate your opponents with the late-game powerhouse that is Claude. Good luck, and have fun climbing those ranks!