Yorick Gameplay Guide – Mastering the Shepherd of Souls in League of Legends

Yorick, the Shepherd of Souls, is a juggernaut top-lane champion known for his split-pushing, sustained damage, and strong lane control. With his ability to summon ghouls, manipulate minions, and push objectives efficiently, Yorick excels at applying map pressure and taking down turrets. This Yorick guide covers abilities, combos, runes, itemization, laning strategy, mid-to-late game decision-making, and matchup advice to maximize his impact.

Understanding Yorick’s Abilities

Passive: Shepherd of Souls

Yorick summons Mist Walkers and gains bonus movement speed when near enemies affected by his abilities. Proper management of ghouls and passive positioning allows Yorick to sustain trades, dominate lanes, and apply pressure efficiently. Maximizing passive uptime is crucial for both trading and split-pushing.

Q: Last Rites

Yorick’s next basic attack deals bonus damage and restores health when hitting minions or monsters. Q is his primary trading tool in lane, allowing him to harass opponents while sustaining health. Combining Q with auto-attacks and passive effects enhances his dueling potential.

W: Dark Procession

Yorick summons a wall of spirits that can trap enemies. W is his primary crowd control and zoning tool, useful for locking down priority targets, peeling for allies, or setting up ganks. Proper wall placement maximizes zoning and reduces enemy mobility.

E: Mourning Mist

Yorick throws a globule that damages enemies and marks them, causing Mist Walkers to attack marked targets. E is key for trading, poking, and setting up Q damage. Proper usage allows Yorick to pressure enemies and enhance dueling strength through consistent poke and follow-up.

R: Eulogy of the Isles

Yorick summons the Maiden of the Mist, a powerful companion that attacks enemies alongside Mist Walkers. R enhances Yorick’s split-pushing capabilities, objective control, and dueling potential. Effective management of the Maiden allows Yorick to pressure lanes, siege turrets, and force enemy responses.

Early Game – Laning and Farming

Yorick’s early game focuses on farming efficiently while using Q and E to poke and trade with opponents. Place W strategically to trap enemies or create zone control during trades. Use passive Mist Walkers to enhance poke damage and sustain. Avoid overextending without vision, as Yorick lacks natural mobility and is vulnerable to ganks.

Early lane dominance relies on controlling minion waves, zoning opponents, and applying poke pressure with Q and E. Using W effectively can prevent enemy trades or secure kills when jungler assistance is available. Proper use of passive and Q sustain allows Yorick to remain healthy and continue applying pressure.

Mid Game – Split-Pushing and Objective Control

By mid game, Yorick excels as a split-pusher and objective controller. Use R to summon the Maiden and combine with Q and E to push waves and take turrets. Yorick can apply map pressure, forcing enemies to respond while your team secures objectives or engages fights elsewhere. W can be used defensively to protect the Maiden or trap enemies attempting to stop your push.

Coordinate with the team to ensure proper vision and avoid overextension. Yorick’s dueling potential makes him a threat in 1v1 or 2v2 situations, and proper management of abilities ensures sustained pressure across multiple lanes. Prioritize objectives like Dragon, Rift Herald, and turrets to maximize map control.

Late Game – Teamfight Execution and Split-Pushing

In late-game scenarios, Yorick’s role depends on map state and team composition. His strength lies in split-pushing and forcing the enemy to commit resources to stop him. Position the Maiden effectively to assist in sieges or draw enemy attention. In teamfights, use W to zone key threats, Q and E for consistent damage, and the Maiden for sustained DPS.

Yorick must balance between applying split-push pressure and contributing to fights. Overcommitting without vision or support can lead to being caught and losing map control. Prioritize safe engages, proper timing of R, and use of W to create zones that protect both Yorick and his allies.

Combos and Mechanics

• Standard Trade Combo: Q → E → Auto. Use this to poke and sustain trades efficiently.
• All-In Combo: W → Q → E → R. Trap opponents with W, stack damage with Q and E, and summon Maiden for added DPS.
• Split-Push Combo: R → Q → E → Auto. Use the Maiden and Mist Walkers to quickly push waves and take objectives.
• Defensive Combo: W → Q → E. Zone enemies while maintaining sustain to protect yourself and the Maiden.

Runes for Yorick

Primary Tree – Precision: Conqueror enhances extended trades and dueling potential. Triumph provides healing in skirmishes, Legend: Tenacity increases survivability, and Last Stand boosts damage when low on health.

Secondary Tree – Resolve: Second Wind or Bone Plating improves sustain against poke-heavy lanes. Unflinching provides tenacity during extended fights or objective engagements.

Best Yorick Item Builds

Core Mythics: Divine Sunderer or Trinity Force. Divine Sunderer provides sustain and damage against tankier opponents, while Trinity Force increases dueling and split-push potential.

Core Items: Sterak’s Gage for survivability, Titanic Hydra for waveclear and damage, and Death’s Dance for sustain and mitigation during skirmishes.

Situational Items: Thornmail against heavy auto-attack champions, Randuin’s Omen for critical strike mitigation and slows, and Spirit Visage for enhancing healing effects.

Team Composition Synergies

Yorick works best in compositions that allow him to split-push safely while the team controls objectives or engages elsewhere. He pairs well with engage tanks, peel champions, and damage-dealers who can capitalize on fights initiated by the enemy responding to Yorick. His pressure allows teammates to secure objectives, making him a high-impact presence on the map.

Matchup Tips

Against Melee Duelists: Use Q and passive Mist Walkers to trade efficiently. W can be used to trap and zone melee opponents, increasing trading safety.

Against Ranged Champions: Play cautiously and farm using Q poke. Use E to engage safely and W to prevent harassment. Avoid overextending without jungle support.

Against Heavy CC Teams: Position Maiden carefully and use W defensively. Prioritize vision and timing when engaging or split-pushing to avoid being locked down and killed.

Tips for Climbing with Yorick

• Focus on consistent wave management and efficient farming to scale effectively.
• Use Maiden and Mist Walkers strategically for split-pushing and objective pressure.
• Coordinate with your team to ensure vision and avoid overextension.
• Position W to zone threats and protect yourself or the Maiden during duels and sieges.
• Adapt itemization based on enemy composition, balancing sustain, damage, and survivability.

Closing Thoughts

Yorick is a powerful top-lane champion capable of split-pushing, dominating duels, and controlling objectives with the Maiden and Mist Walkers. By mastering his abilities, positioning, and combos, you can apply pressure across the map and secure wins through strategic plays. This Yorick guide provides strategies, tips, and builds to excel with the Shepherd of Souls in any League of Legends match.