Kog’Maw has always been one of those champions that come and go in the League of Legends meta. Sometimes he feels unstoppable with his long-range damage, and other times he seems too weak to keep up.
Right now, many players are asking if Kog’Maw is actually good again. I have seen him show up more often in games, and it made me curious to check his numbers.
From his win rate to how much damage he can deal, there’s a lot to look at before deciding if he’s worth playing.
I also wanted to see how well he fits into today’s game compared to other champions. In this blog, I will cover his current power, how he is being used, and what makes him strong or weak.
By the end, you will have a clear idea of whether picking Kog’Maw is the right move for your matches.
Kog’maw’s Role in the Current Meta
Kog’Maw holds a special spot in the current League of Legends meta as a high-damage marksman who thrives in the late game.
He shreds both tanks and squishies with his mix of physical and magic damage.
To play Kog’Maw well, you need to focus on strategic positioning and patience, as he is quite fragile and can be easily targeted by assassins or crowd control.
His damage spikes significantly after getting key items like Blade of the Ruined King and Guinsoo’s Rageblade.
Kog’Maw’s ultimate, Living Artillery, lets you poke enemies safely from afar, making him a strong teamfighter and teamfight controller.
Though he can struggle early, his late-game power and range make him a serious threat when played carefully. Overall, Kog’Maw rewards players who can balance patience with bursts of devastating damage.
New to Kog’Maw? My beginner’s guide: Simple Pick or Steep Climb?, can help you get started.
Kog’Maw’s Win Rate Across Ranks
Kog’Maw has recently shown stronger results, with stats painting an interesting picture of his current performance and overall effectiveness.
- Kog’Maw’s win rate is 53.9% in Emerald+, ranking 7th out of 47 ADCs in A+ Tier.
- In Diamond I rank, top players average a 54.9% win rate across more than 1,200 games.
- His win rate climbed from 52.6%–52.8% in older patches to over 53% now, showing growth.
- Kog’Maw shines in the early to mid-game, with win rates of 55%–57% in the first 25 minutes.
- His strength drops later, falling to about 50% or lower past 35–40 minutes.
- He keeps a 2.9% pick rate and 1.3% ban rate, making him a strong but not overused choice.
Kog’Maw’s Damage Breakdown
Kog’Maw deals a unique mix of physical and magic damage, making it hard for opponents to fully counter him with just one type of defense.
His Q (Caustic Spittle) adds magic damage and shreds armor, boosting basic attacks against tanks.
The W (Bio-Arcane Barrage) is his primary damage tool, enhancing his basic attacks to deal extra magic damage that scales with his items, especially on-hit effects.
His E (Void Ooze) slows enemies while dealing magic damage, giving him some crowd control.
Finally, his ultimate (Living Artillery) provides long-range poke and burst, allowing Kog’Maw to damage enemies safely from a distance.
Most players build him with an attack damage (AD) on-hit style, using items like Blade of the Ruined King and Guinsoo’s Rageblade for steady damage output.
The AP burst build exists, but the AD on-hit build is more reliable in fights.
Best Builds for Kog’Maw
Kog’Maw’s overall strength depends greatly on his build, where selecting the correct items and runes directly shapes his effectiveness, consistency, and overall impact in extended fights.
1. Core Build
Kog’Maw’s strongest setup is Blade of the Ruined King, Guinsoo’s Rageblade, and Runaan’s Hurricane. These items create his signature on-hit playstyle, combining lifesteal, attack speed, and multi-target damage.
Blade shreds tanks with percentage health damage, Rageblade amplifies on-hit effects, and Runaan’s spreads his threat in team fights.
Against tank-heavy comps, Terminus or Jak’Sho add much-needed durability, letting him survive longer while maintaining damage output. This core ensures consistent scaling into late-game fights.
2. Preferred Runes
The Precision tree is Kog’Maw’s best choice, with Lethal Tempo as the keystone, granting incredible attack speed during extended trades.
\Legend: Alacrity builds more speed, while Legend: Bloodline adds healing for sustainability.
Triumph provides clutch heals after takedowns, and Last Stand boosts damage at low health. Secondary choices like Resolve improve durability, while Domination offers extra punch.
This rune setup amplifies his natural strengths, ensuring Kog’Maw can keep firing relentlessly and survive tough battles.
3. Situational and Off-Meta Builds
While AD on-hit is most reliable, AP Kog’Maw offers a surprise burst-focused playstyle. This build uses Luden’s Echo, Shadowflame, and Rabadon’s Deathcap for strong poke and mid-game power spikes.
Paired with Arcane Comet or Aery, he pressures lanes effectively. Though less consistent, AP builds shine in poke-heavy team comps and can punish unprepared enemies.
Some hybrid styles mix AP and attack speed for flexibility, giving Kog’Maw unique ways to fit into different strategies.
Tips for Playing Kog’Maw Effectively
Kog’Maw can deal huge damage, but his low mobility makes him risky to play. Some tips will help you use him better.
- Smart Positioning: Stay behind your frontline and use your range to deal damage safely.
- Early Game Focus: Farm well and avoid risky fights until you build core items.
- Late Game Plan: Stick with your team and rely on them for protection while you shred enemies.
- Team Fight Approach: Target the safest enemy in range instead of diving for carries.
- Staying Alive: Keep close to supportive allies who can peel and shield you from threats.
Conclusion
Kog’Maw has reestablished himself as a strong and reliable ADC, especially for players who focus on consistent, steady damage.
He might not grab attention with flashy plays, but with the right items and team support, his combination of physical and magic damage makes him difficult to counter and highly effective.
Kog’Maw’s low mobility demands team protection, but he rewards it by melting even the toughest foes.
For those who enjoy careful positioning and scaling into a late-game powerhouse, Kog’Maw offers a rewarding experience.
With good positioning, items, and teamwork, he can turn close games into wins. Overall, Kog’Maw is a versatile and impactful champion, well worth picking in the current meta.
Curious how Kog’Maw’s bizarre backstory connects to his place in Runeterra? Check out my lore-focused blog for the full story.
