What is Armor Penetration in League of Legends?

Armor Penetration in League of Legends is a champion statistic that allows players to bypass a portion of their target's armor when dealing physical damage. This mechanic is crucial for effectively damaging opponents who build armor items, making it an essential consideration for many physical damage dealers.

Understanding Armor Penetration Calculations

Armor Penetration in LoL comes in several forms, each affecting damage calculations differently. The game applies these different types of penetration and reduction in a specific order: first flat armor reduction, then percentage armor reduction, followed by percentage armor penetration, and finally flat armor penetration (Lethality). These mechanics work together to determine how much of an enemy's armor is ignored when calculating damage.

When a champion with armor penetration deals physical damage, the game treats the target as having less armor than they possess, resulting in higher damage output. It's crucial to understand that armor penetration doesn't reduce the target's actual armor stats, it only affects damage calculations.

Also Read: What is Magic Resistance (MR) in LoL?

Armor Penetration Items

In League of Legends, three items provide significant armor penetration, allowing physical damage dealers to effectively counter enemy armor stacking. These items are Lord Dominik's Regards, Mortal Reminder, and Serylda's Grudge.

Lord Dominik's Regards offers a substantial armor penetration, making it particularly effective against heavily armored targets. It also provides a unique passive that increases damage against enemies with higher maximum health, further enhancing its effectiveness against tanks.

Mortal Reminder, while offering slightly less armor penetration, it applies Grievous Wounds to reduce enemy healing and regeneration, making it an excellent choice against teams with strong sustain.

Serylda's Grudge, primarily an item for AD casters and assassins, grants armor penetration along with ability haste and a slowing effect on abilities, allowing for better target control. 

Also Read: What is One Shot in League of Legends?

Lethality vs. Armor Penetration

Lethality and Armor Penetration, while related, serve different purposes in combat system. Lethality is often favored by assassins and burst-damage champions aiming to quickly eliminate low-armor targets. It remains useful throughout the game but can lose some effectiveness in the late game as even squishy targets gain armor.  In contrast, armor penetration ignores a percentage of the target's total armor. This makes percentage armor penetration more valuable in the late game when enemies have built up significant armor.

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