Overview
Revamped Aulus introduces an impressive upgrade to this forgotten Fighter, providing a more dynamic kit by allowing him to weave basic attacks between his skill casts. With many Anti-CC aspects to his kit and the ability to sustain through long team-fights, Aulus serves to be a strong initiator for his team by disrupting enemy formations.
Strengths
The greatest strength of Aulus lies with the well-roundedness of hit kit. Previously, most of his skills apart from Skill 2 were obsolete, with the latter only serving the purpose of funnelling his Enhanced Basic Attacks(EBA). His old Ultimate was also extremely underpowered. However, his skill casts now feel way more rewarding, as two blinks were introduced to his kit, following the multiple Movement Speed Boosts he gets from his Skill 1 and Ultimate. A core idea to his new kit is the CC Immunity from both of those skills. Aulus can easily charge up from a safe distance and enter the fight without having to worry about getting his combos broken or disrupted. His new kit also retained the idea of his EBA, which now triggers more consistently and provides higher value. The range is no longer limited to an area around Aulus, and the damage even scales off Max HP, being a threat to even the tanky frontlines. Because Aulus can utilise both his skills and EBA, his jungling speed racks up extremely fast and is able to spend minimal time on creep clearing. He is also able to rotate fast around the map to help the other lanes, by even utilising jungle creeps as a boost for his blink skills.
Weaknesses
Similar to other Fighters, Aulus gets in a rough position once he falls behind on early farm. With his kit being largely dependent on Spell Vamp from his skills and Lifesteal from his EBA, Aulus lacks the survivability to compete with better scaling heroes once he does not get his items. Fortunately for Aulus, he is strong against high CC lineups, which most Fighters struggle against due to the disruption of their skill casts. However, he is nevertheless weak to burst damage because as a sustained Fighter, instantaneous damage will shut him down and deny him the time and space to dish out consistent DPS.
A Leomord Copy?
Cooldown Boots (Ice Retribution) - Allows Aulus to cast skills more frequently and assist with Jungling Speed. Ice Retribution is also useful in chase where Aulus needs to close the distance to utilise his skills. War Axe - How could Aulus not use his own weapon? War Axe synergies perfectly with his kit that utilises skills and EBA, and is the core item of Aulus. The Hybrid Lifesteal provided is a game-changer in early game skirmishes. Brute Force Breastplate - An all-rounded item that boosts attack and movement speed even further in teamfights, and allows Aulus to gain CC Resistance when his CC Immune skills are on cooldown. Endless Battle - This item synergises extremely well with his kit, allowing Aulus to weave in hard-hitting basic attacks after skill casts. These attacks also recover HP for him, allowing him to just be more sustainable in teamfights. Queens Wings - This item allows for low HP clutch escapes and outplay potential, increasing his fighting prowess when his health is low. The CD Reduction can also be extremely useful in drawn-out team-fights. Immortality - Late game survivability that allows for a second chance to escape.
Spare Equipment
Malefic Roar - This item can be bought in the late game if enemy has high Physical Defence from items such as Antique Cuirass. The high Physical Penetration it provides can allow Aulus to break through the frontlines. Rose Gold Meteor - Since Aulus is a Fighter, he can make the full use of the Hybrid Defense it provides. The shielding effect and lifesteal from this item can also be useful in crucial situations.
Fast Jungle Clear + Teamfight Sustain
The Marksman Emblem is chosen and inspired by professional player JamesPangks. In various esports leagues, this emblem is chosen due to the extra attack speed which helps with jungle clear, as well as the recent buff it got to its lifesteal given to complement junglers like Aulus. Thrill is chosen to provide extra Attack. Seasoned Hunter is chosen to speed up Jungle Clear. Killing Spree is chosen to allow Aulus to be more prominent in the team-fights and have higher in-battle recovery for sustained clashes.
Battle Spell
Retribution is picked for Aulus to fulfill his role as a Jungler. It complements well with his fast clearing and rotational speed, allowing Aulus to make the best use of his kit to secure objectives and gain an early snowballing lead.
Mid Game
In my opinion, Aulus is strongest in the Mid Game where he has gotten his core items and can sustain throughout the teamfights. At this stage of the game, players should focus on maintaining their lead and not charging in recklessly. While plays can be made where appropriate, players should still focus on farm to achieve a greater snowball as Aulus remains vulnerable when he is forced back from neutral objectives like the Turtle or Lord.
Best With Floryn
Undeniably. Aulus pairs well his heroes that increase his sustain in teamfights. Heroes like Floryn can keep Aulus alive for longer and allow Aulus to completely wreak havoc in the enemy formation, through their healing and support effects.
Watch Out For Kalea
Aulus does well against heroes with huge CC skills, rather than heroes that rely on continuous soft CC. As the window for his CC Immunity is still rather small, heroes like Kalea are a good matchup for him as he can time his skills to deny enemy engages.