LoL Mel Build: Best Items, Runes, Counters & Combos (25.S1.2)

Let me share the most effective build and strategy for Mel Medarda, League’s newest champion who just arrived with patch 25.S1.2. As a mid-lane mage with a unique ability to reflect enemy projectiles, Mel brings a fresh playstyle to the Rift that rewards skillful positioning and strategic ability usage.

Now, let’s dive into everything you need to know about mastering this fascinating new champion, from optimal builds to counter matchups.

Editor’s Note: This guide is based on early testing. We will update this article within the next 7 days to include professional player builds, additional combo variations, and more in-depth research as the meta develops.

Who is Mel in LoL?

Mel Medarda steps into League of Legends as the first champion of 2025, bringing her diplomatic finesse and magical prowess from Arcane to the Rift. As a mid-lane mage with support flex potential, she excels at punishing enemy skill-shots and executing low-health targets through her unique Overwhelm mechanic.

Mel Abilities in LoL

Mel’s kit revolves around strategic ability usage and stack management. Her passive, Searing Brilliance, allows her to execute enemies when their health drops below the stored damage threshold.

Her Q (Radiant Volley) provides wave clear and poke, while her signature W (Rebuttal) reflects enemy projectiles. Her E (Solar Snare) offers crowd control, and her ultimate (Golden Eclipse) deals devastating damage to targets marked with Overwhelm stacks.

Best Mel Build and Items in LoL

Standard Build

Luden’s Companion	Sorcerer’s Shoes	Shadowflame	Rabadon’s Deathcap	Void Staff	Horizon Focus

Situational Build

Luden’s Companion	Sorcerer’s Shoes	Banshee’s Veil	Zhonya’s Hourglass	Rabadon’s Deathcap	Void Staff

Best Mel Runes in LoL

Primary (Sorcery)	Secondary (Precision)
Arcane Comet	Triumph
Manaflow Band	Coup De Grace
Transcendence	–
Scorch	–

Mel Ability Order Upgrade in LoL

Understanding how to level Mel’s abilities is crucial for maximizing her effectiveness in lane and team fights. Here’s the optimal skill order to focus on:

Skill Priority:

R > Q > E > W

Level-by-Level Skill Order

Level	1	2	3	4	5	6
Skill	Q	E	W	Q	Q	R

Level	7	8	9	10	11	12
Skill	Q	E	Q	E	R	E

Level	13	14	15	16	17	18
Skill	E	W	W	R	W	W

• Q First: Radiant Volley is your primary wave clear and poke tool. Maxing it first improves your farming capability and trading potential.
• E Second: Solar Snare’s root duration and damage over time increase with levels, making it a strong second max.
• W Last: Rebuttal’s core mechanic (reflecting abilities) doesn’t scale with levels, so it’s maxed last.
• R Priority: Take ultimate whenever available (levels 6, 11, 16) to increase your execute potential through improved Overwhelm damage.

Mel Combos in League of Legends

The most effective combo for Mel starts with landing your E (Solar Snare) to root the enemy. Follow up with Q (Radiant Volley) while they’re rooted to stack Overwhelm quickly. Use your empowered auto-attacks between abilities to maximize damage output.

Save W (Rebuttal) for defensive plays or to reflect crucial enemy abilities. Once you’ve built up sufficient Overwhelm stacks, use your ultimate to trigger a potential execution with your passive.

Here are Mel’s most effective ability combinations:

1. Basic Trading Combo: E → Q → Auto Attack
2. All-in Combo: E → Q → Auto Attack → R → Auto Attack
3. Defensive Combo: W → E → Q (while moving back)
4. Execute Combo: E → Q → Auto Attack (to build stacks) → R (once enough stacks are present)
5. Team Fight Combo: E (multi-target) → Q → R → W (save for key enemy abilities)
6. Extended Trade Combo: E → Q → Auto → W (hold for enemy response) → Q → Auto

Mel Counters in LoL

Mel struggles against champions who can bypass her W (Rebuttal) or quickly close the gap to take advantage of her immobility. Here are her biggest threats:

• Zed: His shadow-swap allows him to avoid reflected abilities and quickly get into melee range
• Katarina: Her blink ability and non-projectile ultimate make it difficult for Mel to defend herself
• Fizz: Can easily dodge Mel’s abilities and close the gap with Playful/Trickster
• Yasuo: His Wind Wall can block Mel’s abilities, and his mobility makes it hard to land skill shots
• Garen: His silence prevents Mel from using abilities, and his tankiness makes executions difficult

Note: We will add more counters to this section soon.

Focus on positioning, managing your Overwhelm stacks, and timing your W correctly to counter enemy abilities. With practice, you’ll master this powerful new addition to the League’s champion roster.