Yorick
Master Tier Champion Guide
Identity (why you should play Yorick)
Yorick is the ultimate split-pushing champion, offering unrivaled map control and self-sufficiency. You should play Yorick if you enjoy a champion with strong snowball potential who can 1v9 games, grant powerful objective control, and apply relentless pressure that can end the game in seconds if left unchecked. His unique kit, which many opponents are unfamiliar with, makes him a formidable and satisfying champion to master.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Best Split Pusher in the game.
Excels at dueling and dealing with multiple enemies (1v2/1v3) because his Ghouls and Maiden provide consistent DPS even if he is focused.
His W (Dark Procession) is a unique terrain alteration skill that can block entrances, cancel enemy dashes, and displace enemies.
Weaknesses
No Mobility.
He is incredibly weak when behind.
He suffers from frustrating bugs and horrendous AI with his Ghouls and Maiden.
Laning Phase
Yorick's laning phase requires careful management of his pets and focusing on scaling.
Early Safety
Most matchups require you to play safe levels 1-3.
Ideal Engagement
The most effective engagement uses the classic E-
W with ghouls into the massive Q.
Level 6 Spike
Once you hit Level 6, the enemy must respect your power due to the constant pressure with your ultimate active. Use this pressure to gain a CS lead and gold.
Pet Dependency
You must not ever fight if you do not have ghouls. Yorick with ghouls is comparable to two Yoricks because of the massive damage contribution.
Tower Pressure
If the enemy leaves the lane, focus on destroying the tower and getting plates.
Trading
Always look to respond against trades with Q's (Last Rites).
Team Fighting & Macro
While split-pushing is primary, sometimes alternatives must be found, whether through team fighting or playing on large objectives like Baron and Dragon.
Macro Strategy
Greedy Playstyle
Adopt an extremely greedy mindset and focus on split-pushing, becoming an 'absolute menace' to apply pressure so that your team can execute plays elsewhere.
Pressure Timing
Look for opportunities to attack the enemy tower when the enemy is having a skirmish or fight elsewhere. By attacking when they are attacking, you force decision-making from the enemy under pressure.
The 40 Second Rule
If Yorick, with Hullbreaker and Trinity Force, reaches the Tier 2 turret, he needs about 40 seconds to end the game. This capability is why you should never forfeit, as one enemy mistake can provide the tiny timeframe needed to win.
Gold Acquisition
Slowly rack up money to get items like Hullbreaker, and if the enemy leaves the lane, destroy the tower and get those plates.
Team Fighting
Dueling
Yorick excels in dueling and dealing with multiple enemies, as his pets (Shepherd of Souls and Eulogy of the Isles) will continue DPSing them even if he is focused or locked down.
Key Combos
Auto Attack Reset (Most Important)
QThis greatly increases your DPS and should be practiced until it is very fast and consistent.
Surprise Cage (Short Trade)
EQWThe Q animation is used to hide the W (cage) animation, making the cage appear suddenly. This is very effective for short trade combos.
Fast Ranged Poke/Engagement
QECasting E during the Q animation creates a very fast E that is hard to dodge. This is useful for poking from a long range or catching enemies off guard.
Full All-in (Max Sheen Burst)
EWQThis sequence is used when you are stronger than the opponent. The initial E and W proc Sheen once, and you wait for Sheen to come back up to guarantee a second, massive Sheen proc with the final Q.
Tips & Tricks
Abilities
QYorick's
Q has an uncancellable windup. Once the animation starts, it will cast, even if you are stunned. This allows for niche plays like Q -> Flash. Do not Q if blinded by Teemo; wait out the blind.
WThe cage has a static summon time and is uninterruptible, meaning it will arise after 0.25 seconds even if you are CC'd.
The walls can be used to displace enemies for 0.25 seconds upon creation. This can be used to cancel channeled abilities such as Sion's Q or R, or to displace Shen when he uses his ultimate. You can also W (cage) Tahm Kench while he is channeling W.
E- E marks champions and monsters, causing ghouls to leap once and deal increased damage. 4 Ghouls can solo most jungle camps if marked by E.
RThe Maiden always faces Yorick's back. She has no Armor or Magic Resistance, making her susceptible to percent health damage.
PGhouls take 50% reduced damage against ALL monsters. However, they die in one shot to enemy basic attacks. Ghouls automatically switch targets if Yorick is attacked by an enemy.