In the realm of Honor of King, a game that has captivated millions with its intricate character designs, strategic gameplay, and deep itemization system, Yao, the enigmatic and versatile AD (Attack Damage) mage, has become a favorite among players seeking to wreak havoc on the battlefield. Yao’s unique blend of crowd control, burst damage, and mobility makes him a formidable force in both solo lanes and team fights. However, to truly unleash his potential, a well-thought-out AD build is crucial. This comprehensive guide will delve into the intricacies of building Yao as an AD assassin, providing insights on item choices, runes, playstyle adjustments, and counterplay strategies.

I. Introduction: Understanding Yao’s Role in an AD Build

Yao’s AD build is a departure from his traditional mage role, emphasizing his physical damage output and ability to close the gap with enemies swiftly. This build leverages Yao’s skills that deal both magical and physical damage, making him a hybrid threat that can shred through frontline fighters while maintaining enough burst to take down squishier targets. Key to this build’s success is maximizing his auto-attack damage, critical strike chance, and ensuring his abilities complement his AD-based playstyle.

II. Itemization: Crafting the Perfect AD Build

The core of Yao’s AD build revolves around items that enhance his attack power, critical strike potential, and movement speed. Here’s a recommended item progression:

1. Stalker’s Blade: The first purchase after starting with a standard jungle item (e.g., Hunter’s Machete), Stalker’s Blade provides much-needed attack damage and movement speed, allowing Yao to stay elusive while dealing damage.

2. Berserker’s Fury: This item is a must-have for any AD build, providing a significant boost to attack damage and critical strike chance. It also increases Yao’s overall damage output in both auto-attacks and abilities that scale with AD.

3. Endless Battle: With its combination of attack speed, attack damage, and life steal, Endless Battle keeps Yao in the fight longer by sustaining his health through his own damage output. This item is crucial for maintaining pressure in extended skirmishes.

4. Blade of the Destroyer: This item adds even more attack damage and a passive that deals bonus damage to low health targets. It synergizes perfectly with Yao’s burst potential, ensuring he can finish off enemies with ease.

5. Boots of Swiftness: While not an offensive item per se, Boots of Swiftness are essential for Yao to stay at the forefront of battles, enabling him to chase down fleeing targets or escape dangerous situations.

6. Stormrazor: A late-game addition that combines attack damage, critical strike chance, and a passive that deals bonus damage on-hit, Stormrazor elevates Yao’s already formidable single-target damage to a new level. Its active ability also provides a burst of movement speed, making it ideal for initiating or escaping engagements.

III. Runes: Enhancing Yao’s AD Potential

Runes in Honor of King further customize Yao’s playstyle by providing permanent bonuses or active effects during combat. For an AD build:

• Precision Tree: Take Conqueror as your primary rune. This rune provides a permanent boost to attack damage and a stackable effect that increases your healing and takes reduced effectiveness on minions but is highly effective against heroes. It pairs well with Yao’s ability to deal high burst damage.

• Suddenness: As a secondary rune, Suddenness offers a burst of movement speed after taking down an enemy or assisting an ally, making it perfect for chasing or avoiding danger.

• Legend: Bloodline provides Yao with life steal, enhancing his sustainability in fights and allowing him to stay in the thick of things longer without needing to back off for health regeneration.

• Coup de Grace rounds out the set by increasing damage dealt to low health targets, further enhancing Yao’s finishing potential.

IV. Playstyle Adjustments for an AD Build

Yao’s playstyle shifts slightly when built as an AD assassin. Here are some key adjustments:

• Focus on Auto-Attacks: While Yao’s abilities are still crucial for crowd control and initiating fights, his auto-attacks become his primary source of damage in an AD build. Practice weaving abilities between auto-attacks to maximize your output.

• Positioning: Be mindful of your positioning as an AD Yao; while you still want to be in the thick of things to deal damage, you also need to be able to retreat or engage at will. Use your movement speed and stealth abilities wisely to maintain your safety while dealing damage.

  

• Burst Combos: Learn your burst combo combinations that maximize both your abilities’ damage and auto-attack potential. For instance, starting with a stun or slow from an ability can set up a follow-up auto-attack string that can critically hit for massive damage.

• Teamfighting: In team fights, aim for squishy targets like mages or supports first, using your mobility and burst potential to take them down before they can do significant damage or heal up. Don’t hesitate to reposition if your initial target is being overly cautious or protected by allies.

V. Counterplay Strategies

While an AD Yao can be a nightmare for opponents if played correctly, there are ways to mitigate his threat:

• CC (Controlled Crowd) Disruption: Characters with strong crowd control abilities can disrupt Yao’s movements and prevent him from landing his combos effectively. Be wary of stuns, silences, and slows when engaging him.

• High Mobility Targets: Characters with high mobility can outmaneuver Yao’s attempts at chasing them down or escaping from danger themselves. Keep an eye out for these types of heroes and adjust your playstyle accordingly.

• Tanky Frontliners: While Yao can deal significant damage to them, tanky champions with high health pools and strong defensive capabilities can soak up his burst while their teammates take care of him. Be prepared to reevaluate your targets if you find yourself unable to take down a tank quickly enough without risking too much exposure yourself.