Apollo build guide
by NoctVersion 180Updated Oct 9, 2026Guide #558149
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Final AP between Sigil and Ult is up to PREFERENCE, grab whichever you like more. Use this build if you want to LEARN the character and counterbuying. If you want a similar build but less jargon use: 756502 If you REALLY want to brain off this build, go L>R on the top row of everything (stop at Spirit shielding go to Core Items after) and see how that goes.
1Lane Sustain/Help
Author's category · 4 items · Grab 1-2
Grit
[⇌] A great addition to lane sustain especially with the regen nerfs, I usually find myself grabbing Extra regen second item and then Grit eventually to go into a Shielding!
Extra Regen
The changes to his base health regen basically want Apollo to be like other early game characters, most of the time I buy this first or second item, depends on the tempo of the lane.
Healing Rite
[⇌] This item is still great and has got nothing but buffs however Extra Regen is slightly better for his sustain trades. Still take it if you are in desparate need of healing.
2Spirit Spike
Author's category · 10 items · Mystic Burst or Extra Regen first and second, grab Mystic Expansion, pick a T2 item, and then Extra/Improved Spirit.
Mystic Burst
Still a very strong spirit item for Apollo! Always grab this before any other spirit item (note this doesn't always mean first item!)
Mystic Expansion
Always put this on the Flawless Advance, this will help land more longshot lunges. Arguments for putting it on ult or Sigil could be made!
Extra Spirit
3Vitality Spike
Author's category · 10 items · Grab 1 or 3 (Grab 1 if you want to get a Mobility Option for 4.8k. Grab 3 T2s otherwise) Look at Core Items after you get spikes.
Healing Booster
Built from Extra Regen
No longer a bait item with items and abilities getting good value out of it. I enjoy this if I pick up Resto Locket, Healbane, or I know I'm going to get Reverb. Sell as your last T2 if possible.
Healbane
[⇌] Great anti-heal and dive item to get the kill and live in a pinch.
4Core Items
Author's category · 6 items · You can L>R or not. ALWAYS BUY BOUNDLESS FIRST. Any T4 Spirit or Vitality that you can Tempo Buy after Boundless is good.
Boundless Spirit
Built from Improved Spirit
Good damage spike. This being your first T4 is crucial because of how good the scaling to all of his abilities are!
Spirit Snatch
Riposte will help you secure Heavy Melees and shred enemies, in combination with Mystic Vuln it is also very nice.
5Tempo Buysoptional
Author's category · 6 items · Feel out the vibes.
Ethereal Shift
[⇌] This will save you from basically all CC. Also great stat boost so use as an engage, dodge, or stat boost before dmg burst. Greatest tempo buy AFTER Boundless Spirit
Mystic Reverb
[⇌] A little iffy on this item, it definitely has its place. It's a good tempo item to buy IMMEDIATELY AFTER Boundless. But if it's late into the game (25-30m), I would skip this for defense/survival.
6Mobility Options
Author's category · 3 items · Read! Buy what you want, when you need.
Dispel Magic
[⇌] Grab for Vitality Spike if they buy an early slowing hex.
Stamina Mastery
Built from Extra Stamina
[⇌] Feel good item that you can take if you want consistent movement and no need to counter slowing hex.
Warp Stone
[⇌] Slowing Hex DISABLES this item. However, when a lot of Gun Carrys are meta right now, it is not a bad item to pick up. Consider grabbing all 3 greens in whichever order needed. After Boundless!
7[⇌] in the annotation means you can swap this item out with another one with the [⇌] annotation!
Author's category · 0 items
No items listed.
8Defense/Survivaloptional
Author's category · 10 items · Green is way more important when ahead but don't neglect purple! NOT L>R!
Witchmail
[⇌] You can buy this sooner if you're ahead. You may not need this every game! You can buy this over Superior CD if you have the tempo to do so!
Divine Barrier
[⇌] A fantastic item particularly into Pocket but also increases overall survivability. Give it a shot if you need some real beef. USE TO REMOVE AFFLICTION. Wraith ult as well?
9Items to Consideroptional
Author's category · 12 items · [⇌] Order from L>R in preference. ANYTHING IN OR BELOW THIS CATEGORY IS ABSOLUTELY OPTIONAL AND SERVES AS A GUIDE ON WHEN OR WHY YOU CAN BUY THIS ITEM ON APOLLO.
Berserker
[⇌] Yes (Archer) this item is mathematically good BUT Point Blank will provide more consistent damage IF you play a more in and out playstyle.
Transcendent Cooldown
Built from Superior Cooldown
[⇌] At this point, you are well and above needing anything else, you will use this for infuser, witchmail, situationals, counterspell, etc. Buy this when needed!
10T3 Flawless Advance @ 6.6k. T3 Riposte @ 14.4k. T3 Ult @ 25.2k. T3 Sigil @ 49.2k.
Author's category · 0 items
No items listed.
11Situationalsoptional
Author's category · 22 items · These are case-by-case basis items. These are ordered L>R (top to bottom) in likelihood of using it. Additional notes below this section!
Crippling Headshot
[⇌] Buy this if you have very few gun carrys (or if they are unhelpful and won't listen to you), it'll give you Gun Spike and work wonders for your damage and anti-heal.
Melee Lifesteal
[⇌] Early lane sustain at a cheaper price. Look at Tip #1 at the bottom of the build to see how you can use this item! Grab instead of Extra Regen?
12Important Note
Author's category · 0 items · Use this if you understand (or want to understand) counterbuilding, since all items are annotated more to explain why and when to buy items and once you get to a rank with (arguably) competent teammates and opponents, it is a more vital thing to learn especially as Apollo as he can fade away into irrelevance if he doesn't stay a threat. As always, feel free to ping me in the Apollo channel in the Official Deadlock Discord server or the Community server @Noctiem if you have any questions or suggestions on what to add to the build(s). Yoshi literally doesn't want me with large notes so definitely ask me in Apollo chat for gameplay tips.
No items listed.
13Bonus Tips and Tricks
Author's category · 0 items · 1. Bind Flawless Advance to Right Mouse Button, very helpful in moving in all directions while having full control of your lunge aim. 2. Sigil can be used against a wall to recreate a Shiv M2 Wallbounce. (Credit to YaBoyCJ for this explanation): Be right in front of wall -> jump -> sigil -> hold s -> jump. Sidenote: you don't need to jump on the wall but it helps with further distance. 3. You can throw a light melee when using Sigil and most times the enemy will not notice and you get a bit of extra poke out of it. Riposte can be buffered with a heavy melee, (Credit to 21 S for this explanation): Riposte > Heavy Melee > Riposte. This assumes your riposte connects obviously, it is tricky at times to do but can be rewarding.
No items listed.
14Well, there is a man here.optional
Author's category · 1 items · Credit to Gami for the [⇌] thing I saw in their Pocket build!
Golden Goose Egg
Please do not buy this on Apollo...
Categories appear in the author's order. Only the editor's default Early, Mid and Late sections are marked as game stages; the author's own categories keep their names. “Built from” links come from the game's item recipes.
Disengaging SigilDisengaging Sigil | Disengaging Sigil: Ability unlocked, step 1 | Disengaging Sigil: 1 AP upgrade, step 13 | Disengaging Sigil: 2 AP upgrade, step 14 |
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Rebuttal
[⇌] For the punch heavy lanes.
Damage. I usually like to buy a T2 Spirit Item before or after this buy.
Improved Spirit
Built from Extra Spirit
Damage.
Cold Front
[⇌] A general duelist item, this is the default pick for some people! This item procs other items like T-Pulse does!
Suppressor
[⇌] Works incredibly well into double gun carry lanes or multiple gun carry lobbies. Great fun! NOTE: T-Pulse also proc's this. The new bullet res added is really good!
Slowing Hex
[⇌] If the enemy team has a lot of dashes such as Mina, Infernus, Shiv, Pocket, Wraith, etc. Very solid pickup!
Spirit Sap
[⇌] A potential lane item for T2 Spirit Spike. Spirit Shred and Spirit Damage Reduction are very solid. Not really intended to build Focus Lens.
Mystic Vulnerability
[⇌] Not my favorite T2 to hold onto but if you don't need any of the other T2s and you don't like Cold Front, grab this. Can sell this later if you don't want EE, it is tricky to make work sometimes.
Rusted Barrel
[⇌] The long range "I hate you" button for gun carrys. Also could be useful for Disarming Hex, Haze and Venator must suffer! Really solid item with gun heavy lanes if you don't want Suppressor!
Spirit Shielding
Built from Grit
[⇌] My preferred item over Enchanter's Emblem and just laning in general. Very solid stats with a great active that builds into this. Buy this into Spirit heavy lanes or team comps.
Weapon Shielding
Built from Grit
[⇌] Equally as solid as Spirit Shielding, Buy this into Gun heavy lanes or team comps. Sometimes buy both shieldings and be unkillable.
Enchanter's Emblem
[⇌] Very solid item especially with the bonus spirit power, ultimately depends on whether you want Spirit for burst shielding or Enchanter's for sustain.
Trophy Collector
[⇌] The sooner you start getting value the better. This is a tempo buy but I think most times you buy this after you get 2 kills in lane or you think you're about to and you have souls.
Reactive Barrier
Built from Grit
[⇌] For lots of CC like Mn'K, Abrams, Paige, Dynamo, Bebop, etc. Great item to keep as long as you have a slot for it. Indomitable helps keep this value even when slotlocked.
Debuff Reducer
[⇌] Helps with Slowing Hex, Infernus burn, Shiv bleed, and builds into 2 great items that both work well.
Restorative Locket
[⇌] Great into Mo n' Krill! This item is OP in combination with Healing Booster. Plus Spirit Resist, you can't go wrong with it. If you grab this you MUST grab healing booster.
Extra Stamina
[⇌] Mobility is great.
Melee Charge
[⇌] If the tempo of the match is insane, you can skip the gun items for something else as needed.
Point Blank
[⇌] Consider Berserker if you're tanky. Otherwise this is a solid all-around item.
Tankbuster
Built from Mystic Burst
If they have a Mo n' Krill or Abrams, consider buying sooner. Or if the HP is really bloated on their team.
Spirit Burn
With so much healing in the game it's hard to not recommend it. Definitely solid on Apollo as a spirit nuker that can apply it very well.
Superior Cooldown
[⇌] CD is very useful on this character. You can buy Witchmail instead if you think you'll get more value from it.
Greater Expansion
Built from Mystic Expansion
[⇌] I'm always a fan of this item, gives incredible range to all of your abilities and just ability to dodge in general. Buy sooner if needed!
Scourge
[⇌] Can never go wrong with this item late game, helps you stay in fights and shred the HP bloat that enemies have. Very good DBR as well. A potential Tempo buy after you get some good greens.
Spiritual Overflow
[⇌] Item is still good but not necessary. Can sell Melee Charge later for Spiritual.
Unstoppable
Built from Debuff Reducer
[⇌] As strong as this item is, I sometimes don't find myself buying it because the game ends so much sooner. Buy as you need it with or instead of Dispel Magic. Very good for all CC and Midboss fights
Plated Armor
[⇌] Build if they are REALLY obnoxious with gun, this happens much more often then you may notice! Great into Haze, Wraith, Infernus, Warden, etc. Very good buy if you're ahead early with lots of gun.
Spellbreaker
Built from Debuff Reducer
[⇌] Build if they are REALLY obnoxious with spirit. Most people should pick this up to deal with spirit carrys. Buy this instead of Witchmail sometimes. Great into Mirage or any Spirit carry really!
Juggernaut
[⇌] Ruin every gun or melee (Viscous, Billy, Abrams, Drifter) character's day. Generally only 1-2 people need this item, buy cautiously!
Lifestrike
[⇌] I think with a lot of HP it can be very nice. Grab if you don't need Dispel?
Counterspell
[⇌] What's more annoying than a spell deflect? Two spell deflects! Feels fantastic against Bebop bombs and Warden Cage now that it silences.
Spirit Resilience
[⇌] A solid mid game option as the value you are getting for a 3200 item is not bad, pick it up before Mobility Options if you need it. Buy Witchmail instead if you aren't desparate for resist.
Metal Skin
[⇌] The reduced mobility will suck but it beats getting gunned down while you're silenced or cursed or slowing hexed. Still strong against a lot of gun carrys that won't have Cursed Relic to remove it
Disarming Hex
Built from Rusted Barrel
[⇌] Good upgrade from RB, consider it for Wraith, Venator, or Haze. Ideally a support should probably buy this. Since Wraith shuts you down with ult, you could shut her down with this item!
Phantom Strike
[⇌] Anti-flier machine that turns Vindicta into souls. Also solid catch-up tool if you need to save your CDs to actually kill the target.
Colossus
Infuser
[⇌] Incredible heal from Ult or Lunges. Overall changes to lifesteal have made this a little weaker though and currently Apollo has so many other items he would rather build now.
Spirit Lifesteal
[⇌] General duelist item that builds into Infuser later if you're slotlocked. An overall solid sustain item. Buy this if you only need one of the other green items to survive the lobby.
Indomitable
Built from Reactive Barrier
[⇌] I feel indifferent about this item, undeniably it has its moments but there are better items that I pick up for cheaper. No shame in using it though if the hate crime is too much!
Radiant Regeneration
[⇌] Incredibly good survivability, consider this a mini-green item that you could pick up. Especially with healing booster.
Torment Pulse
[⇌] Conflicting feelings about this item aside, very good synergy with a lot of other items in this build! Grab after Boundless BUT sell later in the game maybe. You can skip this item if you want.
Escalating Exposure
Built from Mystic Vulnerability
[⇌] With how many stacks you will proc with your items, it'll hurt. This is exclusively what you build if you have torment pulse, Spirit Burn helps. You buy this pretty late game if needed!
Magic Carpet
[⇌] THE BEST ITEM OF ALL TIME. The item may get great value from the Sigil changes so if you wanna have fun, try it and let me know!
Echo Shard
[⇌] Nuke and mobility potential with Sigil at max AP.
Frenzy
[⇌] The DBR and move speed you gain could be VERY good if you buy this after you get tank items.
Arctic Blast
Built from Cold Front
[⇌] Not my favorite active item but it's solid for cc and damage.
Fortitude
[⇌] Very strong sustain. Could be used as a T3 for 4.8k green and allows for you to stay on the map. You will ultimately sell this later!
Veil Walker
[⇌] Item got nerfed pretty hard but still could be useful.
Focus Lens
Built from Spirit Sap
[⇌] Kinda ideal for late game picks.
Cursed Relic
[⇌] This item is probably really OP on basically any character.
Diviner's Kevlar
[⇌] If you find yourself using the ult too late, this could save you. It is good for the late game when TTK is fast and you need an extra second to pull off the ult!
Silence Wave
[⇌] Still strong no doubt but not really needed with the damage nerfs and whatnot
Extra Health
[⇌] Good potential to stay in lane.
Cheat Death
[⇌] Everyone builds it and loves it, maybe not the best but it is worth a shot.
Superior Duration
[⇌] I would be pressed to use this item often but in combination with other items such as Scourge or Spirit Snatch or Frenzy. It could have some use.
Decay
[⇌] Given the HP changes this could be a solid pick up! Also good anti-heal if you are hard-pressed to buy Healbane or Spirit Burn.
Close Quarters
[⇌] Good into Viscous, Billy, Abrams, Drifter, Yamato, Paige, punch heavy enemies, etc. Changes to Apollo gun gives it a bit more value!
Spirit Rend
[⇌] The heal could be helpful and Crippling Headshot properly stacks with SSB and Spirit Rend! Spirit Rend provides great Spirit Shred so consider it!
Spirit Strike
[⇌] Burger box the lane and hit harder than you already do. Builds into one of the few spirit res shred items.
Spellslinger
[⇌] Feels like crack in combination with Witchmail. Especially with Riposte stun AND Sigil procc'ing twice.
Compress Cooldown
This is just here so if you auto queue up SupCD you dont have to choose what to imbue.
Mystic Regeneration
[⇌] Kinda meh but builds into Radiant Regen if you want.
Bullet Resilience
[⇌] Really shouldn't buy this but if the ENTIRE enemy team is gun damage then I could see a use. Otherwise just get Metal Skin.
| Disengaging Sigil: 5 AP upgrade, step 16 |
RiposteRiposte | Riposte: Ability unlocked, step 4 | Riposte: 1 AP upgrade, step 8 | Riposte: 2 AP upgrade, step 9 | Riposte: 5 AP upgrade, step 10 |
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Flawless AdvanceFlawless Advance | Flawless Advance: Ability unlocked, step 2 | Flawless Advance: 1 AP upgrade, step 3 | Flawless Advance: 2 AP upgrade, step 5 | Flawless Advance: 5 AP upgrade, step 7 |
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Itani Lo SahnItani Lo Sahn | Itani Lo Sahn: Ability unlocked, step 6 | Itani Lo Sahn: 1 AP upgrade, step 11 | Itani Lo Sahn: 2 AP upgrade, step 12 | Itani Lo Sahn: 5 AP upgrade, step 15 |
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Unlock1 / 2 / 5 AP upgrade costOrder only; no timings
Current patch: the Oct 5, 2026 update, Oct 5, 2026, 11:05 PM UTC to today · ranked and unranked · all match average ranks
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