Overview
How to play Yorick effectively centers on mastering his unique ability to raise ghouls and the Maiden of the Mist to become an unstoppable split-pushing force in League of Legends. Success with this methodical champion comes from understanding his early game limitations, optimal build paths focusing on items like Divine Sunderer and Hullbreaker, and applying strategic map pressure through split pushing while adapting to difficult matchups and occasional teamfighting scenarios.
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Yorick
- Understanding Yorick’s Kit and Playstyle
- Mastering the Early Game with Yorick
- Optimal Item Builds for Yorick
- Perfecting Split Push Strategies
- Yorick’s Role in Teamfights
- Handling Difficult Matchups
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction to Yorick
Learning how to play Yorick effectively can transform your top lane experience in League of Legends. The Shepherd of Souls is a formidable split-pusher with unique mechanics that, when mastered, can lead to consistent victories. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into seven essential tips that will help you dominate the top lane with this grave-digging juggernaut.
Yorick stands out among top laners due to his ability to create an army of ghouls and his maiden that push lanes and pressure objectives relentlessly. While he might not be the flashiest champion, his methodical playstyle can be incredibly rewarding for patient players who enjoy strategic macro gameplay.
Whether you’re new to the top lane or looking to expand your champion pool, understanding how to play Yorick properly can give you a significant advantage. His unique kit allows him to excel in 1v1 situations while applying constant map pressure that forces enemies to respond or lose towers rapidly.
Understanding Yorick’s Kit and Playstyle
Before diving into advanced strategies, it’s crucial to understand Yorick’s abilities and how they synergize. Yorick’s power comes from his passive, which allows him to raise Mist Walkers (ghouls) from graves that spawn when enemies die near him. These little minions become your primary damage source and lane pushing tool.
His Q (Last Rites) is your main farming tool and serves as an auto-attack reset. Each kill with this ability creates a grave, which is essential for summoning your ghouls. Meanwhile, his W (Dark Procession) creates a circular wall that can trap enemies, while his E (Mourning Mist) marks targets and directs your ghouls to attack them.
The crown jewel of Yorick’s kit is his ultimate, Eulogy of the Isles, which summons the Maiden of the Mist. This powerful ally pushes lanes automatically and significantly boosts your damage output in duels. Understanding how to use and preserve the Maiden is key to maximizing your impact throughout the game.
Mastering the Early Game with Yorick
The early game is where many Yorick players struggle, but with the right approach, you can set yourself up for mid-game dominance. Your primary focus should be on safely farming until level 3, as Yorick’s pre-grave laning phase is relatively weak compared to many top laners.
Use your Q to last hit minions and generate graves whenever possible. Try to maintain at least 3 graves at all times, as this allows you to quickly summon ghouls when needed for trades or all-ins. Remember that your power spike occurs when you can consistently raise ghouls and land your E to direct them onto your opponent.
Here are key early game strategies:
- Focus on last hitting with Q to generate graves
- Avoid unnecessary trades until you have 3-4 graves ready
- Use W defensively against ganks or offensively to trap opponents during all-ins
- Practice effective wave management to freeze near your tower when possible
- Consider taking Teleport to return to lane after tough trades or to join important early skirmishes
Once you reach level 6 and unlock your Maiden, your lane presence increases dramatically. However, be cautious about how you use her in the early game. If she dies, your power decreases significantly until she respawns, which takes considerably longer in the early levels.
Optimal Item Builds for Yorick
Building correctly on Yorick is crucial for maximizing his split-pushing potential and dueling capabilities. Your core items should focus on providing a mix of damage, durability, and ability haste to keep you threatening throughout all game phases.
The most common mythic item for Yorick is Divine Sunderer, which provides a perfect balance of health, damage, and sustain through its Spellblade passive. Against tanky compositions, this item helps you shred through their frontline while keeping you healthy in extended fights.
For a more aggressive build, Trinity Force offers increased attack speed and movement, making your split pushing and tower taking even faster. This is particularly effective when you’re ahead and want to snowball your advantage.
Standard item progression:
- Starting items: Doran’s Blade or Corrupting Potion
- Core items: Divine Sunderer/Trinity Force, Hullbreaker, Serylda’s Grudge
- Defensive options: Dead Man’s Plate, Spirit Visage, Force of Nature
- Situational items: Black Cleaver (against tanks), Death’s Dance (against AD threats), Sterak’s Gage (for teamfights)
Remember that Hullbreaker is particularly effective on Yorick since you’ll spend most of your time split pushing away from your team. The item’s passive provides significant combat stats when you’re alone, making you even more dangerous in 1v1 and 1v2 situations. As noted by professional players, adapting your build to match the specific game conditions is essential for success.
Perfecting Split Push Strategies
Split pushing is Yorick’s greatest strength and understanding how to do it effectively will dramatically increase your win rate. The key to successful split pushing isn’t just mindlessly hitting towers – it’s about applying pressure at the right time to force advantageous situations for your team.
When you have your ultimate available, consider sending the Maiden down a side lane by herself. She’ll continue pushing indefinitely, drawing enemy attention away from objectives. This creates a “1-3-1” situation where you, the Maiden, and your team are all applying pressure in different areas of the map.
Here’s how to maximize your split pushing effectiveness:
- Always maintain deep vision around the lane you’re pushing
- Track enemy positions on the map before committing to a deep push
- Communicate with your team to coordinate pressure (push when they’re applying pressure elsewhere)
- Know when to retreat – if multiple enemies are missing, they’re likely coming for you
- Use Teleport to join crucial teamfights or to quickly return to a pushing lane
The best Yorick players understand that split pushing isn’t just about taking towers – it’s about creating map pressure that forces the enemy team to make difficult choices. Do they send multiple people to stop you, potentially giving your team a numbers advantage elsewhere? Or do they ignore you and let you take their inhibitor? Either way, you’re creating winning scenarios.
Yorick’s Role in Teamfights
While Yorick excels at split pushing, there will inevitably be times when you need to group with your team. Understanding your role in teamfights is essential for these situations. Unlike many top laners, you’re not a primary engage champion – instead, you function as a disruptive force that zones enemies and peels for your carries.
Your wall (W) becomes particularly valuable in teamfights, as it can separate enemy teams or trap key targets. Meanwhile, your ghouls and Maiden provide consistent damage throughout extended fights, especially when directed with your E ability.
Effective teamfighting as Yorick involves:
- Using W to create zones of control or to peel for your backline
- Casting E on priority targets to direct your ghouls and Maiden’s attacks
- Positioning to threaten the enemy backline while staying within range to protect your carries
- Remembering that your Q provides significant healing, which can be crucial in extended fights
- Being patient with your ultimate – the Maiden is a significant portion of your power
While teamfighting isn’t Yorick’s strongest aspect, improving your teamfight skills can make the difference in close games. Remember that sometimes the threat of your split push is enough to force advantageous 4v5 situations for your team, as the enemy often needs to send someone to deal with you.
Handling Difficult Matchups
Yorick has several challenging matchups that require specific strategies to overcome. Understanding how to play against these champions can help you maintain relevance even in unfavorable situations.
Irelia is perhaps Yorick’s most notorious counter, as her Q can one-shot your ghouls and instantly stack her passive. Against her, focus on wave management and avoid raising ghouls until absolutely necessary. Similarly, Jax can leap to your ghouls and use them to escape your wall, while his E negates much of your damage.
Here are strategies for handling difficult matchups:
- Against mobile champions (Irelia, Jax, Fiora): Save your W for when they’ve used their mobility abilities
- Versus ranged top laners: Start Doran’s Shield and focus on sustaining until level 6
- Against tanks: Rush Divine Sunderer and focus on short trades utilizing the Spellblade passive
- When facing heavy harass: Consider Second Wind and Revitalize in your rune setup
- If behind in lane: Focus on farming safely and look for opportunities to impact the map with Teleport
Remember that even in difficult matchups, Yorick’s scaling is excellent. As statistical analysis shows, his win rate increases significantly as games go longer. Sometimes, simply going even in a difficult lane is enough to take over the game later through superior split pushing.
For players struggling with certain matchups, improving laning fundamentals can make a huge difference. Learning proper wave management and trading patterns will help you survive even the toughest lane opponents.
Conclusion
Mastering how to play Yorick requires patience and practice, but the rewards are substantial. By understanding his unique kit, optimizing your early game approach, building appropriately, and executing effective split push strategies, you’ll become a formidable force in the top lane.
Remember that Yorick thrives on methodical gameplay rather than flashy mechanics. Your goal is to create constant pressure that forces the enemy team to respond to you, giving your team advantages elsewhere on the map. Whether you’re in Bronze looking to climb or a more experienced player adding him to your champion pool, these seven tips will help you dominate with the Shepherd of Souls.
For players looking to truly master Yorick and climb out of lower elo, focus on consistent application of these principles while adapting to each game’s unique circumstances. With practice, you’ll soon find yourself splitting lanes, taking towers, and carrying games with this underappreciated top lane powerhouse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yorick good for beginners in League of Legends?
Yes, Yorick can be good for beginners due to his straightforward kit and forgiving playstyle. His farming mechanics and ability to create lane pressure make him excellent for new players learning top lane fundamentals.
How do I use Yorick’s Maiden of the Mist effectively?
Use the Maiden for lane dominance by keeping her with you during important fights, or send her down a side lane to create pressure while you group with your team. Remember that her health scales with yours, so building tanky items increases her survivability.
When should I group with my team as Yorick?
Group when major objectives like Baron or Elder Dragon are up, or when your team needs your presence to defend inhibitors. Otherwise, typically you’ll create more value by continuing to split push and draw enemy attention away from objectives.
What runes work best for Yorick?
Conqueror is the most common keystone, providing sustained damage in extended fights, while Grasp of the Undying works well in tougher matchups. Secondary runes usually focus on Demolish for faster tower taking and conditioning for scaling.
How do I counter Yorick when playing against him?
Counter Yorick by picking champions with mobility who can escape his wall and deal with his ghouls efficiently, such as Irelia, Jax, or Tryndamere. Focus on killing his Maiden when she appears, as this significantly reduces his threat level for an extended period.
