On-hit is one of League’s most misunderstood damage types — and building it correctly on the right champion is the difference between melting tanks and tickling them.
What Are On-Hit Effects in League of Legends?
On-hit effects in League of Legends are bonus damage instances or utility effects that trigger automatically with each basic attack. Unlike critical strikes (which multiply physical damage) or ability power (which scales with skills), on-hit damage is its own category — it deals a flat or scaling amount of damage per attack, regardless of the attack’s base damage. This makes on-hit builds exceptionally strong on champions with high attack speed.
ℹ️ On-hit damage bypasses some of the normal damage reduction rules — certain on-hit effects deal a portion of their damage to structures like turrets, which most other damage types can’t do.
On-Hit vs Other Damage Types
| Damage Type | Scales With | Resisted By | Works on Towers? |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-Hit | Attack speed (rate) | Magic resistance (usually) | Partially |
| Physical (AD) | Attack damage | Armor | Yes |
| Critical Strike | AD + crit multiplier | Armor | No |
| Ability Power | AP stat | Magic resistance | No |
Champions That Use On-Hit Builds
The most common examples of League of Legends champions that use On-Hit builds are Kog’Maw, Teemo, and Kai’Sa.
Kog’Maw
Kog’Maw’s W (Bio-Arcane Barrage) adds bonus on-hit magic damage based on the target’s maximum health. With the right attack speed and on-hit items, he can cut through high-health targets faster than most marksmen.
Teemo
Teemo’s passive applies poison on-hit, and his E (Toxic Shot) adds poison stacks per basic attack. Combined with items like Wit’s End and Nashor’s Tooth, he becomes a consistent damage-over-time threat.
Kai’Sa
Kai’Sa’s passive (Second Skin) applies plasma stacks on-hit, and her build often blends on-hit and ability power to maximize the plasma burst damage. One of the more complex on-hit interactions in the game.
Key On-Hit Items in League of Legends
- Blade of the Ruined King — deals % current health on-hit, excellent for shredding tanks
- Wit’s End — adds magic damage on-hit
- Kraken Slayer — every third basic attack deals bonus physical damage on-hit
- Nashor’s Tooth — adds AP-scaling magic damage on-hit, core for AP on-hit builds
- Guinsoo’s Rageblade — gives bonus magic damage and up to 32% attack speed
On-hit builds are most effective against tanky, high-health enemies. Against squishy targets, straight AD or burst builds often deal more total damage per second.
On-Hit Effects in League of Legends FAQ
Below are the most common questions about on-hit effects in League of Legends, covering mechanics and build choices.
Does On-Hit Damage Apply to Abilities?
Most abilities don’t trigger on-hit effects. However, some champion abilities specifically state they apply on-hit effects — such as Lucian’s passive after using an ability, or Miss Fortune’s Double Up. Always check the ability tooltip.
Is On-Hit Affected by Armor or Magic Resistance?
Most on-hit effects deal magic damage and are reduced by magic resistance. A few deal physical damage — always check the item or ability description for the specific damage type.
What’s the Difference Between On-Hit and On-Attack?
On-hit effects trigger upon actually connecting a hit, while on-attack effects trigger when the attack animation starts. The distinction matters for effects that might proc before the projectile lands — a niche but relevant difference for ability interactions.
