Overview
Claude is essentially the #1 marksman in the current meta because of his versatility and huge AoE damage. Although relatively weak in early game but if you can lane without deaths and get items quickly you can be the team carry easily
Strengths
AoE damage, Kiting, Escape, Double laning
Weaknesses
Low damage early game
Equipment 1
Warrior boots first if you think you can't win lane against heroes such as brody or clint. Demon hunter sword is the core item for claude. Build this first after bootsand you become relevant in team fights with your ultimate skill. After trinity you can shred through any hero tank or assasin. Wind of nature for safety and malefic gun for extra penetration to deal with tanks
Emblem Setup 1
Fighter emblem for the hybrid lifesteal, helps you win/recover hp easily in lane. Master assasin ideal for dealing extra damage to lane opponent and win your lane if you play it right. Quantum charge for additional sustain and hp regen
Emblem 2
Same as before but you can use festival of blood instead for even better sustain. Plus if you get kills festival of blood provides you even more spell vamp!
Battle Spell
Claude has good enough mobility with his s2, purify helps him juggle through stuns
Laning guide
Farm untill you get Demon Hunter sword. Around 2nd turtle you should be able to get it if you get the gold crabs and last hit minions. Focus on farming for the first 3-4 minutes. You can join turtle fights from turtle 2! Always keep farming and try to double lane if possible- it will help you get your items faster. It is also very important to not die during the laning phase/first 4-5 minutes. If you have to leave tower to stay alive? Do it. Just don't die. Try to have 5 stacks on his passive before hitting your ult. Always target the backlane of your enemies to insta delete their health!
Best With Minotaur
80% co-op win rate
Mino stuns multiple and Claude ults to finish off enemies
Watch Out For Brody
20% counter win rate
Brody is super annoying for Claude in the laning phase. The key is to not get poked by his first skill and last hit minions. You have better output in teamfights than the brody. If brody gets full stacks on you use purify to negate damage