With Jax’s mini-rework, Riot Games actually changed a lot of things about the champion.
The old scalings are almsot all flipped the other way around and it’s tricky for many players to find the new optimal build.
Myself, I’ve been playings lots of AP Jax recently which has honestly been addicting. The champion is simply amazing with ability power items and the damage output is just insane.
But before I explain how to actually build Jax AP, let’s talk about his new ratios.
Is Jax AP or AD Now?
Jax is still an AD champion but he deals both physical and magic damage. His AD build is stronger overall but the AP build is a fun off-meta playstyle worth trying.
Jax is a melee duelist that relies on his basic attacks to do damage. In most games, his abilities are fillers to his auto-attacking.
But when you build AP on Jax, his abilities hit like trucks and the damage is really high.
AP Jax has an AoE clear and accesss to many on-hit magic effects. The champion is easy to play so it’s all point-click damage.
I really recommend you check this video of PekinWoof playing AP Jax if you aren’t familiar with the new playstyle.
He uses different items and runes than me but it’s stilla good introduction to laying AP Jax.
Read Also: Full AP Nasus Build Guide
Reworked Jax – AP and AD Ratios
Here’s a graph representing how Jax’s damage scales with AP and AD in League of Legends.
| Jax Abilities | Base Damage | AD Ratio | AP Ratio |
| Passive – Relentless Assault | 3.5% − 11% (based on level) Attack Speed per stack | / | / |
| Q – Leap Strike | 65 / 105 / 145 / 185 / 225 physical damage | 100% bonus AD | / |
| W – Empower | 50 / 85 / 120 / 150 / 190 magic damage | / | 60% bonus AP |
| E – Counter Strike | 55 / 85 / 115 / 145 / 175 magic damage | 50% bonus AD | 100% bonusAP; 4% max Health |
| R – Grandmaster’s Might | 150 / 250 / 350 magic damage | / | 150% bonus AP |
As you can see, Jax has more magic than physical damage now. And there are more AP scalings than AD. So, he’s really powerful with a full set of ability power items!
It’s worth mentioning that here I didn’t include the scaling of the Jax’s Armor and Magic Resist through Attack Damage and Ability.
Since Jax’s ultimate can be a confusing cooldown in League, I’ll explain it separately.
Read Also: Kayle AP or AD – Guide
Full AP Jax Build
Items
Starting items:
- Doran’s Ring – gives you a bit of AP at the start of the game and more damage against minions.
- 2 x Health Potion – refills your Health, and it’s handy for trading in lane.
Core items:
- Hextech Rocketbelt – grants all necessary stats and has an active that can launch you forward, which is incredibly useful for landing Jax’s stun.
- Lich Bane – boosts the damage of your auto-attack after you use an ability and synergizes with Jax’s W.
- Nashor’s Tooth – increases your Attack Speed and allows you to proc Jax’s 3rd attack more often.
- Zhonya’s Hourglass – gives you bonus Armor and allows you to enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds, dodging all incoming damage.
Situational items:
- Rabadon’s Deathcap – greatly increases your AP, and it’s a recommended purchase in the late game.
- Void Staff – grants you 40% Magic Resist and amplifies your damage.
- Morellonomicon – applies the Grevious Wounds effect to your target, reducing their overall healing.
Boots:
- Sorcerer’s Shoes – give you a bit of Magic Penetration, which is enough for the early game.
Runes
- Electrocute – deals bonus damage when you strike your target with 3 consecutive abilities or attacks.
- Sudden Impact – grants you Magic Penetration every time you use Jax’s Q.
- Eyeball Collection – passively increases your AP in the early game.
- Ultimate Hunter – lowers the cooldown of your ultimate.
- Triumph – restores a small percentage of your lost HP upon a champion takedown.
- Coup de Grace – allows you to deal more damage to targets below 40% Health.
Read Also: Full Yorick AP Build Guide
Should You Play the AP or the AD Jax Build in Season 13
You’ll still want to play the AD Jax build if you want to climb. AD Jax is better for split-pushing and dueling enemies, which is the best win condition of this champion.
As AD Jax, you can 1v5 games and solo carry your team. The AP build is a bit weaker but it’s more fun overall.
Now, this doesn’t mean that you can’t make AP Jax playstyle work in ranked.
However, it’s much more difficult to carry with AP Jax than with AD Jax. And when you already have a good AD build for solo queue, why should you even struggle with an AP one?
Follow this link to OPGG to check the best AD build for Jax currently.
Good luck nonetheless, and have fun!
