League of Legends S12: Thresh Support Build Guide

From runes to items, gameplay tips amd more, we've put together a guide to help you master playing Thresh in the botlane in League of Legends.

Be mindful that there are several ways to build and play a champion, and you'll need to be adaptable as the game and the enemy team progress.

That said, this guide is a good starting point to helping you get to grips with the champion and making an impact in your games.

Runes

Core Items

Locket of the Iron Solari

2500 Gold

Zeke's Convergence

2400 Gold

Build

Playing a tank support means you'll want to build as many utility items as you can, to support your ADC. Locket of the Iron Solari, Zeke's Convergence, Knight's Vow, and Redemption are all core items. 

Thornmail is another good item, offering Grievous Wounds. 

Starting Item & Boots

Health Potion

50 Gold

Steel Shoulderguards

400 Gold

Mobility Boots

1000 Gold

Skill Order

While your choices may differ according to how the game progresses, the typical Thresh skill priority is:

R > W > Q > E

Summoner Spells

These are the summoner spells most typically taken by Thresh in this role. Naturally, this may change depending on match-ups.

Gameplay

Thresh is an excellent melee tank in the botlane, with plenty of ways to zone and control the lane if played well. His job is to initiate, but more to protect his ADC. In a teamfight you'll want to lead the line, and try to isolate the carries so your team can burst them down. However, a well-timed Flay to knock back an opponent cannot be underestimated. 

• Level 1 - Take Flay, so you can deny farm and knock back opponents. 
• Level 2 - Take Q - Death Sentence, so you can aim to hook the enemy ADC and force a trade or a burned summoner's spell.
• First Back - Work towards Locket, or pick up your boots if you need more mobility.

Tips & Tricks

• Use Death Sentence just as a minion dies to surprise your opponent, or wait to apply the slowdown of Flay in order to land the hook more easily. 
• Dark Passage is a good defensive spell, but it can also be used offensively on your ADC to bring them closer for a surprise all-out attack - especially after Death Sentence lands. 
• Flay can be used to cancel movement-based abilities, such as Tristana's Rocket Jump or Leona's Zenith Blade.