Sion is one of the most popular tank champions in League of Legends. Ever since his rework back in 2014, he’s been a go-to pick for many high-elo top laners. But newer players don’t always find this champion easy to understand. And one of the first questions they ask is if Sion is AP or AD?
In this guide, I’ll talk about Sion’s AP and AD ratios, as well as what type of damage he deals. So whether you’re looking to learn Sion or to know how to play against him, this post will have useful information for you
So let’s start with the most important question!
Is Sion AP or AD in League of Legends?

Sion is an AD-based tank champion. His highest damaging ability is his Q which has base physical damage and a 75% AD ratio but 200% bonus damage if Sion finishes the cast. Sion’s R also does a lot of physical damage and has a 40% AD ratio. Sion’s only magic/AP damage is W and E.
Here’s a quick rundown of how Sion’s abilities deal damage.
When Sion activates his Q – Decimating Smash, he begins charging a large attack in a wide cone area in front of him. The longer he charges the ability, the more damage he deals. In contrast, his E – Roar of the Slayer is a simpler ability that deals magic damage to the first enemy hit.
Sion’s W is a self-cast shield that scales with bonus AP and HP. Its second cast deals magic damage that scales with 40% of Sion’s AP to all enemies around him. This ability also bonus damage up to 14% of the target’s missing HP.
And Sion’s ultimate – Unstoppable Onslaught is a large AoE hit that can literally one-shot a squishy enemy champion. It allows Sion to become unstoppable, run at high speed, and finally slam into one or multiple opponents.
So like most champions in LoL, Sion scales with both AP and AD. However, his core damaging abilities (Q and R) are physical damage spells and that’s why most players build Sion full lethality, full tank, or AD bruiser.
The most common items that you can see on Sion are Sunfire Aegis, Trinity Force, Prowler’s Claw, Titanic Hydra, Hullbreaker, and Thornmail.
It really depends on the player’s playstyle, but most Sions will deal more physical than magic damage in lane. So, counter them by building lots of armor and HP.
Read Also: AP Malphite Build Guide
Can Sion Go AP?

I explained above how Sion’s damage is structured. He has two AD and two AP abilities. But since most players build him with AD and tank items, is it really not possible to build Sion AP?
Sion has a viable full AP build that offers tons of magic damage. His E has a great AP ratio and you can use it to poke enemies from afar. On the other hand, Sion’s W can do some explosive AoE magic damage if you have high enough ability power. Combined with the right items, AP Sion can even carry games!
One thing that players often forget about Sion’s E is the fact that the ability also lowers the target’s armor. In other words, you can always deal a great amount of damage with your Q after E, regardless of whether you’re building AP, AD, or tank on Sion.
AP Sion is all about charging into the enemy, slowing them, and dealing AoE damage while shielding yourself. Your Q will still deal crazy damage, so you can always include one or two lethality items to the mix if you want.
I’d recommend you to try AP Sion in normal or ARAM games first. It’s tons of fun and can really feel powerful, especially if you get a lead early on.
Read Also: Volibear Full AP Build Guide
The Best AP Sion Build in Season 13

If you’re interested in trying out the AP Sion build in season 13 of League of Legends, these are the runes and items you’ll need.
The best runes for playing AP Sion in season 13:
- Arcane Comet – amazing for poking early on in lane.
- Manaflow Band – gives you more mana and mana regeneration.
- Transcendence – grants you a bunch of ability haste.
- Scorch – burns your target for additional damage.
- Shield Bash – gives you armor and magic resist when you use your W.
- Overgrowth – passively increseas your maximum health.
For bonuses, it’s always good to bring one cooldown reduction rune, one ability power, and one armor rune.

The best items for playing AP Sion in season 13:
- Sorcerer’s Shoes – bonus magic penetration.
- Everfrost – allows you to freeze enemies so you can fully cast your Q.
- Demonic Embrace – your abilities will burn your targets for bonus magic damage.
- Winter’s Apporach – upgrades your Tear of the Goddess to give you more health.
- Void Staff – gives you maximum magic penetration (40%).
- Rabadon’s Deathcap – massively boosts your ability power in the late game.
Keep in mind that Liandry’s Anguish, Imperial Mandate, and Crown of the Shattered Queen are also great mythic item options for AP Sion.
And as mentioned above, you can always include one or two lethality or tank items if the situation demands. My most recommended items for Sion are Edge of Night, Axiom Arc, Spirit Visage, or Warmog’s Armor.
Read Also: Warwick AP Build Guide
Conclusion
To summarize things up, Sion is primarily an AD champion that often builds tank. However, Sion can also be played with a full lethality build and a full AP build. I gave you a basic overview of his AP build and what you can expect from playing it. And as a last piece of advice, I’d like to remind you to focus on your E and W more than your Q with the AP Sion build.
If you want to understand better how Sion’s abilities works and his damage, I recommend you to read his official fandom page.
And check Runetarium for more AP or AD posts such as this one!