TFTraits// Recommended builds
The best trait and item combination at every level, 2 stars, by DPS.
1,952DPS
Riftbeast 7
Apex Predator 1Alpha Mark1,952DPSRiftbeast 7Apex Predator 1Alpha Mark1,952DPSRiftbeast 7Apex Predator 1Alpha Mark// Top items
What each item adds on its own, in DPS, with no other item.
Guinsoo's Rageblade+506
Giant Slayer+474Deathblade+455
Kraken's Fury+404
Red Buff+402
Last Whisper+401
Hand of Justice+392
Infinity Edge+377
Quicksilver+352
Blue Buff+306
Striker's Flail+301
Sterak's Gage+279Builds by level
Every combination of Elder Dragon's own traits that a comp of the chosen level can reach, ranked by the DPS of its best 3-item build against three dummies with the team's shred, sunder and burn already on them. Numbers open the DPS Calculator with the same inputs. Levels 4 to 7 only use champions you can find at that level: up to 2-costs at level 4, 3-costs at levels 5 and 6, 4-costs at level 7.
| # | Traits | Best build | DPS · no items | DPS · with build | Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riftbeast 7Apex Predator 1Alpha Mark | | 522 | 1,952 | CalculatorFind the comp | |
| Apex Predator 1 | | 397 | 1,537 | CalculatorFind the comp | |
| Riftbeast 3Apex Predator 1Alpha Mark | | 397 | 1,537 | CalculatorFind the comp | |
| Riftbeast 5Apex Predator 1Alpha Mark | | 397 | 1,537 | CalculatorFind the comp |
No comp at this level can field Elder Dragon.
// Cast timeline
From the mana bar filling until mana can come in again. No mana comes in during this time.
0/60- attack animation
- attack lands
- attack recovery
- cast window (mana locked)
- effect
First cast at 10.79 s with 0.50 attacks per second. Items, traits and damage taken change the mana pace; the cast, effect and channel windows do not.
Step by step, in words
- Mana reaches 60/60: the cast starts and the mana lock goes on (no mana from attacks, ticks or damage taken).
- 0.00 to 1.21 s: cast window. The unit plays its cast animation and its return to idle; it cannot auto attack.
- 0.45 s: the ability's effect fires (projectile launch, damage, shield...).
- 1.21 s: unlock. Mana starts again (overflow kept) and a fresh attack starts from zero; it lands at 1.72 s at base attack speed (the attack delay is 26% of the attack animation).
- Attack loop: the attack lands at 26% of the attack animation (mana granted) and unlocks at 39%; a cast that becomes possible at the landing starts at that unlock point, cutting the rest of the attack.
- Mana gain: 10 per attack; combat starts at 0/60.
- Overflow is banked: mana past 60 from attacks or regen is kept through the cast (58/60 plus 10 casts and comes back with 8). Same rule for every champion; only the amounts differ by role.
Last WhisperRed BuffSterak's Gage5-cost melee AD Fighter (game role tag, range 2). Melee damage dealers take the melee support set: team debuffs plus a survival item. Mana lock 1.21 s per cast against a 12.5 s fill (9% locked). Casts per minute at base speed 4.4; with Spear of Shojin 6.9, Blue Buff 8, a +45% attack speed item 6.1. Flat regen wins clearly: the lock eats most of the cycle, so attacks rarely get to feed mana; take Blue Buff over mana-on-hit. One Sunder item and one Burn item for the team, plus the survival item that keeps this melee unit alive longest while dealing the most calculated damage for Elder Dragon (1782 DPS at 2 stars against three 2-star tanks). Burn item Red Buff: a cast-locked kit gains little from Red Buff's attack speed. Ionic Spark, Evenshroud and Sunfire Cape are left out: at range 2 their aura would not reach the enemies.