Weird Picks #101: AP Tryndamere

Tryndamere's always been somewhat of a niche pick for split-pushers, but always quite good for solo queue if you choose to play him. His ability to turn around 1v1s is notoriously annoying, and his sustain in lane can be obnoxious.

This build has caught on quite a bit lately, and gives Tryndamere plenty of tower crushing power even without AD. Check out how to play it below!

Archive post, August 2018. The cooldown reduction section below argues in a stat the game doesn't have anymore. Riot retired percentage CDR in the 2021 preseason and replaced it with ability haste, which doesn't share the old cap and doesn't convert one for one, so 40% or 45% isn't a number you can aim at today. The hook of the build, an AP Tryndamere who dives in and keeps critting, has aged better than the arithmetic around it.

Weird Pick #101

AP Tryndamere

August 2018

Introduction

How to Play

Abilities: E, Q, Q, W then prioritize R > E > Q > W
Summoner Spells: Flash + Ignite
Starting Items: Doran's Blade + Health Potion
Core Items: Nashor's Tooth
Ionian Boots of Lucidity
Lich Bane
Guinsoo's Rageblade
Rabadon's Deathcap
Hextech Gunblade

Rune Setup

How It Works

Stronger Mid-Game Powerspike
While AP and AD both have strong cheese power early game, AP's mid-game burst potential is much higher. Back in Patch 8.13 they also greatly reduced his E - Spinning Slash cooldown at rank 4 and 5. This means that at level 9 AP Tryndamere has quite a stronger powerspike than his AD counterpart.

Insane Damage Combination

When you combine AP Tryndamere with the Conqueror keystone rune, he deals a mix of physical, magic, and true damage all at the same time. His E will deal physical damage and his auto attacks will do a mix of all three once he gets Nashor's Tooth.

Amazing Cooldown Reduction

As an AD build, Tryndamere doesn't have access to heavy cooldown reduction the way his AP form has. This build easily gets to 40% (or 45% if you go with the inspiration mastery). This allows him to continuously spam his spells and out-trade nearly everyone in the game in short bursts.

Potential Pitfalls

Weaker Sustained Damage

Compared to his AD counterpart, this version of Tryndamere is lacking in lifesteal. As a result, continuously battling doesn't favor him. Although he will likely heal back to full after using his Q post-ultimate, this version of Tryndamere needs to make a quick exit if things turn sour, fury or no fury.

Slower Waveclear
AD Tryndamere can annihilate waves almost instantaneously. AP Tryndamere can do the same, but would need to rely on his valuable E cooldown to do so. If he chooses to save it in case he needs it, then it results in a much slower waveclear.

No Stormrazor Usage
As a single item right now, Stormrazor is incredibly strong. While you could potentially fit it in somewhere in the build, it would certainly be sub-optimal to do so.

Conclusions

AP Tryndamere is good right now, but then again, so is AD Tryndamere. His surprising viability as an AP champion comes largely at the hands of the reduced cooldown from his E buff. I don't think he's overall a broken champion right now, but certainly strong.

Suggested Tier: Low Tier 1