Terminus

Terminus, the 3,000 gold on-hit legendary in League of Legends, gives 30 Attack Damage and 35% Attack Speed in patch 26.21. Shadow adds bonus magic damage on every attack, and Juxtaposition alternates your attacks on champions between Light, which grants Armor and Magic Resist for 5 seconds, and Dark, which grants 10% Armor Penetration and Magic Penetration for 5 seconds.

What does Terminus do?

It gives an auto attacker a bit of everything. Damage through the on-hit magic damage, survivability through the Light attacks, and penetration through the Dark ones, all in a single slot.

Juxtaposition is the core. Your attacks against champions alternate: one Light, one Dark, one Light, and so on. Light attacks give you Armor and Magic Resist for 5 seconds, which helps exactly when the enemy is hitting you back hardest (mid-trade, not before it). Dark attacks give 10% Armor Penetration and 10% Magic Penetration for the same time. In a long trade you keep both bonuses up just by attacking, which is why the item suits champions who stand and fight rather than poke from range.

Shadow is simpler. Every attack deals bonus magic damage on hit, so your damage is split between physical and magic types, and stacking Armor alone won’t stop you. Riot’s data text doesn’t give the exact on-hit number or the resistance amounts (the client tooltip has them).

Is it gold efficient?

On stats alone, no: 64%. The two stats are worth 1,925 gold against a 3,000 gold price.

The math counts 30 Attack Damage at 35 gold per point (1,050 gold) and 35% Attack Speed at 25 gold per 1% (875 gold). What about the rest? The on-hit damage, the resistances, the penetration, sits in the passives and isn’t priced. Put simply, Terminus pays off in long fights and looks bad on paper.

What does it build from?

Hearthbound Axe (1,200 gold) and Recurve Bow (700 gold), plus a 1,100 gold combine, which is a big chunk of the price. Recurve Bow is also a part of Blade of the Ruined King, another on-hit option. The finished item doesn’t upgrade.

What was item 3302 before?

Relic Shield, the old support starter item. Its ID first shows up in Riot’s data in patch 3.14, and it stayed a cheap support item until patch 14.1:

• Patch 14.1: renamed from Relic Shield to Terminus, cost 400 → 3,000 gold.
• Patch 14.10: Attack Damage 40 → 35, Attack Speed 30% → 35%.
• 14.19 cut Attack Damage again, from 35 to 30.

Odd path, to be fair. A support starter became a legendary carry item (Riot reuses IDs more than you’d think). The Relic Shield entries are still in the table above, and our LoL items database lets you compare the other on-hit items.

Who should build Terminus?

On-hit champions who attack a lot in extended fights, especially those dealing mixed damage. Fighters and some marksmen who duel at close range get the most from Juxtaposition, since they keep both bonuses up. Facing a team that mixes physical and magic damage? The Light attacks cover both.

Honestly, it’s a weaker pick for champions who burst a target in one or two attacks, since the passives need a rhythm of hits. Long-range marksmen who kite usually prefer crit items. Our guide to LoL roles covers which positions fight up close; for on-hit fighters there, Terminus is often a second or third item.

FAQ

How much does Terminus cost?

3,000 gold, with a large 1,100 gold combine; selling gives 2,100 gold.

How do Light and Dark attacks work?

Attacks against champions alternate. Light attacks grant Armor and Magic Resist for 5 seconds; Dark attacks grant 10% Armor Penetration and Magic Penetration for 5 seconds.

What type of damage does Shadow deal?

Bonus magic damage on hit.

Which stats does it give?

30 Attack Damage and 35% Attack Speed.

What was Terminus before?

Relic Shield, a support starter item, until patch 14.1.