I've been playing VainGlory since about October 2015, and have found support to be my favorite role. I like protecting allies, helping them get into an out of battle, and doing my best to keep them alive. I've also found a good support to be key to winning games, especially in soloQ.

I'm writing this guide in hopes it helps new players learn to support their teammates, hopefully winning more games and moving up in the ranks. I'll be adding additional heroes as I learn them. Here are a few general support tactics that may help.

Early Game

Buy ironguard contract and help your jungler clear minions. When clearing, get the first hit and "leash" the minions to the next camp, allowing your jungler to move quickly. Allow them to get the most hits on the minions behind the minion miner and near the jungle camp as these offer the most XP. Soften up the regen minions as much as possible to get XP yourself, and allow the jungler to finish them quickly.

Always keep an eye on your laner, and cycle up often, placing scout traps to ensure they have vision on the enemy bushes. Your job is to help them avoid a gank, and farm effectively. If the laner is being bullied, go up and assist, but let your jungler continue to farm unless you feel like the two of you won't be able to handle things on your own. If the enemy laner pushes too far in, call for backup and gank!

Mid Game

At this point you should have at least one tier3 item, ideally 2 or 3 of them. Continue placing scout traps to ensure vision. Stick with your jungle/laner and achieve objectives. Help direct the team to specific objectives like gold miner and taking down turrets. You should also have at least a stormguard banner at this point, as that will help you with taking objectives such as miners and turrets. It will also give you a little extra damage against heroes. ( as of v1.11 )

Late game

At this point you should have pretty good vision of the entire map ( because you've been placing scout traps the whole time right? ) At this stage I like to switch to flares when playing Ardan, since you will be traveling more as a team, and it allows you to check for ambushes. Keep your teammates behind you ( meatshield! ), after all you are the protector. When team fighting, use auto attacks as necessary but focus on the health of your teammates and what they are doing. Don't be too aggressive, if you're focused on fighting, you aren't focused on protecting. Watch for enemy ultimates and use your crucible, use fountain to (hopefully ) save allies low on health. If your allies make a retreat, focus on getting them to safety, even if this means you will surely die. Its your job. You should almost always be the last to disengage.

When playing Ardan your #1 priority should be keeping teammates alive at all costs. Your vanguard shield is based on the amount of "bonus" health Ardan has. This means all health above and beyond his default health... so you should always be building health items.

Early/Mid Game

Build oakhearts and their tier two items ( Lifespring / Dragonheart ) to beef up your Vanguard. This can be vital if your laner/jungler is getting bullied. If teamfights have been going well, build Crucible first. If they aren't going as well as you'd like, build Fountain of Renewal first.

Late Game

Lead allies into battle ( don't let them run in before you ), and keep a constant eye on their health as the battle progresses. Try to use your gauntlet to single out 1-2 enemies for your team to attack, while pinning out the other. I try to separate the enemy carries from their support ( especially vs catherine ) but it really depends on the fight and enemy positioning. Try not to gauntlet all 3 enemies in, as that could be dangerous to your teammates. If you are unable to initiate in a way that gives your team the advantage, save the gauntlet in case your team needs to escape. Use gauntlet as they flee to keep enemies from chasing, and warhorn your teammates through it if necessary.

Situational Items

Breaking Point I get this item if our team is currently leading the enemy team, or if we need the additional damage for team fights. Breaking point will give you attack speed to keep your vengence up, allowing you to use your Blood for Blood more often. The stacking damage will help you take down tougher opponents. Don't buy this item if you are struggling in fights, or if you need to counterbuild.

Atlas Pauldron Purchase this item if you need to counter enemies with attack speed like Krul or Saw. Only build if an ally has not built one.

Shiversteel Purchase this if you are having trouble with slippery enemies in fights ( like Vox ). Trigger the Shiversteel and use Blood for Blood to slow them and allow your teammates to finish them off. The extra health from Shiversteel also makes your Vanguard that much stronger.

Aftershock This is my "general" item I build when the game seems balanced, or if my teammates are dishing out plenty of damage. The extra cooldown acceleration is nice for your Vanguard, and it makes Blood for Blood hit like a truck.

Coming soon...

Coming soon...