Welcome to the world of League of Legends! As a new player, building items can feel overwhelming with hundreds of options and constant meta changes. This guide simplifies it by focusing on archetypes—broad categories of champions and roles—rather than specific heroes. We'll outline a basic template for each major archetype, broken into three phases: Early Game (first 10-15 minutes, focus on sustain and farming), Mid Game (15-25 minutes, power spikes for fights), and Late Game (25+ minutes, scaling into teamfights). Key Tips Before Starting:

• These are templates—adapt based on your champion, enemy team, and game flow (e.g., build anti-heal if they're sustaining a lot).
• Always start with recommended starting items from the shop (e.g., Doran's items).
• Use sites like U.GG or the in-game shop suggestions for specifics once comfortable.
• Patch 15.19 (as of October 2025) influences these—check for updates!

1. Tank (Top/Jungle/Support: Durable Frontliners)

Tanks absorb damage and initiate fights. Prioritize health, resistances, and crowd control.

Phase	Core Items	Why?
Early Game	Bramble Vest or Cloth Armor + Null-Magic Mantle, Boots	Cheap sustain against poke; basic resistances.
Mid Game	Thornmail or Spirit Visage, Mercury's Treads or Plated Steelcaps	Reflect damage or magic amp; tenacity for CC-heavy enemies.
Late Game	Randuin's Omen, Zeke's Convergence, Warmog's Armor	Anti-crit, team utility, massive health pool.

2. Fighter/Bruiser (Top/Jungle: Melee Damage Dealers)

Fighters mix damage and durability. Build for sustained trades and dueling.

Phase	Core Items	Why?
Early Game	Tiamat or Phage, Boots	Wave clear and health sustain.
Mid Game	Trinity Force or Ravenous Hydra, Plated Steelcaps	Burst on-hit or AOE clear; armor for trades.
Late Game	Sterak's Gage, Death's Dance, Guardian Angel	Shield for survivability, bleed reduction, revive for fights.

3. Assassin (Jungle/Mid: Burst Damage Assassins)

Assassins dive backlines for quick kills. Focus on lethality and mobility.

Phase	Core Items	Why?
Early Game	Long Sword + Refillable Potion, Boots	Cheap AD for ganks.
Mid Game	Duskblade of Draktharr or Youmuu's Ghostblade, Ionian Boots of Lucidity	Burst execution or active speed; CDR for combos.
Late Game	Edge of Night, Serylda's Grudge, Guardian Angel	Spell shield, slow penetration, safety net.

4. Mage (Mid/Support: Ranged AP Casters)

Mages poke and control with spells. Build for mana, AP, and CDR.

Phase	Core Items	Why?
Early Game	Lost Chapter or Amplifying Tome, Sorcerer's Shoes	Mana sustain and burst.
Mid Game	Luden's Companion or Liandry's Torment, Boots	Mana burst or burn vs tanks.
Late Game	Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Void Staff	Magic pen for squishies and resists.

5. Marksman (ADC: Ranged Auto-Attack Carry)

Marksmen scale with attacks. Prioritize AD, AS, and crit.

Phase	Core Items	Why?
Early Game	B.F. Sword or Pickaxe, Boots	Early AD spike.
Mid Game	Kraken Slayer or Infinity Edge, Berserker's Greaves	True damage on-hits or crit power; attack speed.
Late Game	Phantom Dancer, Bloodthirster, Lord Dominik's Regards	Mobility, lifesteal, anti-tank armor pen.

6. Enchanter (Support: Buffing Healers)

Enchanters protect allies. Focus on AP, mana, and auras.

Phase	Core Items	Why?
Early Game	Faerie Charm + 2x Refillable Potions, Boots	Mana regen for spells.
Mid Game	Shurelya's Battlesong or Moonstone Renewer, Ionian Boots	Speed/heal amp; CDR.
Late Game	Mikael's Blessing, Ardent Censer, Redemption	CC cleanse, on-hit buffs, AOE heal.

This template gives you a solid foundation without overload. Practice in normals, watch beginner guides on YouTube, and remember: the best build wins the game you play, not the one you plan. Good luck on the Rift—may your KDA be ever in your favor! Updated for Patch 15.19 (October 2025). Items may change with balance patches.