AP Teemo or AD Teemo – What’s Better? (Explained)

It’s tough to find the perfect build for Teemo. One look at his abilities is enough to convince you that you should only build AP items. But his playstyle is much similar to an ADC, which makes it pretty logical to build AD on-attack items on him. 

In this guide, I’ll give you a full AP and a full AD build for Teemo. I’ll tell you the runes, the items, and how the build works.

But before we dive deep and see whether AP Teemo or AD Teemo is better, we should explain this: is Teemo AP or AD?

Is Teemo AP or AD?

Teemo is a full AP champion in League of Legends. All of his abilities deal magic damage. With his E – Toxic Shot, Teemo also makes his auto-attack deal bonus magic damage on top of the base physical damage. Teemo scales only with AP, so you should always purchase Ability Power items. 

The only confusing thing about Teemo is his basic attack which deals both physical and magic damage. Of course, all champions in League of Legends can do basic attacks and are always physical. But Teemo’s E enhances his auto-attacks to deal bonus magic damage, so it’s both physical and magical.

Other than that, Teemo is a simple AP champion in LoL.

Read Also: Lich Bane Teemo Build Guide

AP Teemo vs. AD Teemo – What’s Better?

If you’re wondering whether you should play AP Teemo or AD Teemo, I have a pretty simple answer for you.

The AP build for Teemo is much better than his AD build. Teemo synergizes perfectly with the AP on-hit items such as Nashor’s Tooth. Combined with the Press the Attack rune, Teemo’s basic attacks deal tons of damage. And this is why you have no reason to build Teemo AD anymore.

In the past, Teemo benefited a lot more from AD items. With enough attack speed and lifesteal, he was one of the best counter picks in the top lane. But nowadays, his AP build gives him all that the AD build did and much much more.

Of course, you can still build Teemo AD and find success. Items like Kraken Slayer and Runaan’s Hurricane will give you an insane amount of on-attack damage. But with the AP build, you’ll deal the same damage with your auto-attacks (maybe even more), plus your mushrooms will be super powerful too.

Here’s a YouTube video showcasing the differences between AP Teemo vs. AD Teemo. You can check it to see how both builds play out in-game.

That said, here are the best AP and AD Teemo builds in League of Legends.

Read Also: AP Ezreal Build Guide

AD Teemo Build Guide

The best runes for AD Teemo:

• Lethal Tempo – increases your attack speed significantly in combat.
• Triumph – heals you when you score a kill or an assist.
• Legend: Alacrity – gives you stacks that permanently increase your attack speed.
• Coup de Grace – allows you to deal bonus damage against targets below 40% health.
• Taste of Blood – every 20 seconds, your next ability heals you.
• Ravenous Hunter – grants you omnivamp which increases your self-healing.

The best items for AD Teemo:

• Kraken Slayer – you deal bonus true damage on every 3rd basic attack.
• Runaan’s Hurricane – your auto-attacks spread up to 3 enemies.
• Guinsoo’s Rageblade – increases your attack speed and on-hit damage.
• Blade of the Ruined King – allows you to heal while auto-attacking.
• Wit’s End – gives you more magic resist and attack speed.
• Berserker’s Greaves – significantly increases your attack speed in the early game.

Situational items for AD Teemo:

• Galeforce – gives you more critical chance and an active dash/execute.
• Phantom Dancer – grants you more attack speed and allows you to move through units.
• Rapid Firecannon – increases the range of your auto-attack once in a while.
• Guardian Angel – allows you to ressurect when you die in a fight.

Read Also: Kayle AP or AD – Everything You Need to Know

AP Teemo Build Guide

The best runes for AP Teemo:

• Press the Attack – bonus damage after 3 auto-attacks.
• Triumph – restores a bit of HP and mana after a champion takedown.
• Legend: Alacrity – grants bonus attack speed.
• Last Stand – makes you deal more damage when you’re below 60% HP.
• Cheap Shot – you deal bonus true damage to enemies in crowd control.
• Ravenous Hunter – gives you up to 6% omnivamp.

The best items for AP Teemo:

• Nashor’s Tooth – increases your attack speed and on-hit damage.
• Riftmaker – makes you deal up to 9% bonus true damage.
• Demonic Embrace – applying another damage-over-time effect to your abilities.
• Morellonomicon – reduces the effectiveness of your enemies’ healing.
• Zhonya’s Hourglass – grants you armor and saves you in certain situations.
• Sorcerer’s Shoes – gives you bonus magic penetration.

Optional items for AP Teemo:

• Liandry’s Anguish – makes your abilities burn for additional magic damage.
• Rabadon’s Deathcap – increases your ability power by 35%.
• Void Staff – gives you all the necessary magic penetration you might need.

Read Also: Top 5 Best LoL Champions with DoTs

Conclusion

You don’t have to be a genius to figure out what to build on Teemo. However, the champion has its complexity and there are multiple different playstyles for him. The builds I showcased above should be your bread-and-butter in most games. Of course, you’ll need to change runes and items depending on your matchup, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

For ranked, I advise you to play the AP Teemo build. It’s overall better and it gives the highest chances of winning.
Make sure to check the Teemo page on OPGG for the latest changes in his build.