League of Legends offers various game modes, each catering to different playstyles and strategies. From the standard Summoner's Rift with its Classic and Ranked modes to ARAM on the Howling Abyss, and rotating modes like Ultimate Spellbook, the game provides diverse experiences. This article explores the roles and performances of Brand and Pantheon in the current patch 14.14, detailing their skills, rune setups, item builds, and optimal team compositions. We will delve into their unique attributes, outlining how to play them effectively from early to late games and explain why Brand might be a better long-term pick for consistent gameplay. When you embark on your journey, mmowow items can lend a helping hand when you need help. 

Champion Roles and Performance in Patch 14.14
Brand is typically played as a mid-lane mage or a support. His role is to provide high burst damage and consistent area-of-effect (AoE) damage during team fights. In patch 14.14, Brand's utility and damage output remain strong, making him a valuable pick for players seeking a powerful mage with crowd control and zoning capabilities.

Pantheon is a versatile champion who can be played in the top lane, mid lane, or as a support. He excels in early-game skirmishes and as an assassin, utilizing his high burst damage and crowd control. Patch 14.14 continues to highlight Pantheon’s strengths in early aggression and lane dominance, making him a formidable choice in various matchups.

Skill Breakdown and Leveling
Brand's Abilities and Skill Leveling:

Passive - Blaze: Brand's abilities set enemies ablaze, dealing bonus magic damage over time.
Q - Sear: A skill shot that stuns enemies if they are ablaze.
W - Pillar of Flame: Deals AoE damage, which increases against ablaze targets.
E - Conflagration: Spreads blaze from the target to nearby enemies.
R - Pyroclasm: A bouncing fireball that targets champions, dealing heavy damage.
Skill Leveling Order: Max W (Pillar of Flame) first for wave clear and poke, followed by Q (Sear) for lower cooldowns and stun potential, and E (Conflagration) last. R (Pyroclasm) is leveled whenever available.

Pantheon's Abilities and Skill Leveling:

Passive - Mortal Will: Enhances Pantheon’s next basic ability after a few auto-attacks or abilities.
Q - Comet Spear: Can be thrown or tapped for a short burst, dealing damage based on charge time.
W - Shield Vault: Leaps to a target, stunning them and dealing damage.
E - Aegis Assault: Shields Pantheon from damage in a specific direction and deals damage.
R - Grand Starfall: Pantheon leaps into the air and crashes down, dealing damage in a line.
Skill Leveling Order: Max Q (Comet Spear) first for damage output, followed by E (Aegis Assault) for survivability and damage reduction, and W (Shield Vault) last for the stun duration. R (Grand Starfall) is taken whenever possible for mobility and engagement potential.

Rune Setups and Explanations
Brand: Primary - Domination:

Dark Harvest: Optimal for executing low-health enemies and scaling damage.
Cheap Shot: Synergizes with his stun for bonus damage.
Eyeball Collection: Provides additional AP scaling.
Relentless Hunter: Grants out-of-combat movement speed, aiding in positioning and roaming.
Secondary - Sorcery:

Manaflow Band: Helps with mana sustain.
Scorch: Adds extra poke damage.
Pantheon: Primary - Precision:

Conqueror: Stacks provide adaptive force, ideal for extended trades.
Triumph: Grants healing on takedowns.
Legend: Tenacity: Reduces crowd control duration.
Coup de Grace: Increases damage to low-health targets.
Secondary - Resolve:

Bone Plating: Mitigates burst damage.
Unflinching: Increases tenacity, particularly useful against crowd control-heavy compositions.
Differences in Rune Selection: Brand's runes focus on maximizing poke and burst damage, making him a potent team fight mage with substantial poke and AoE damage potential. On the other hand, Pantheon's runes are designed to enhance his dueling capability, survivability, and ability to capitalize on skirmishes and short trades.

Item Builds and Their Rationales
Brand:

Liandry's Anguish: Provides sustained damage through its burn effect, synergizing with his kit.
Rylai's Crystal Scepter: Offers HP and slows, enhancing his crowd control.
Zhonya's Hourglass: Crucial for survivability, especially against assassins.
Pantheon:

Goredrinker: Excellent for sustaining and damaging in extended fights.
Black Cleaver: Shreds armor and provides health and cooldown reduction.
Sterak's Gage: Boosts survivability with a shield and health.
Item Build Differences: The brand focuses on maximizing damage output and control with AP items, ensuring its ability to deal significant damage over time. Pantheon's build leans towards durability and damage, allowing him to sustain in fights and remain a threat throughout the game.

Playstyle and Combo Execution
Brand:

Early Game: Focus on poking with Pillar of Flame (W) and farming safely. Use Conflagration (E) followed by Sear (Q) for a guaranteed stun on ablaze targets.
Mid Game: Prioritize wave clear and zone control. Utilize Pyroclasm (R) to maximize damage in team fights.
Late Game: Positioning is crucial; stay back and utilize long-range abilities. Look to catch multiple enemies with stuns and burn them down with AoE.
Pantheon:

Early Game: Use Comet Spear (Q) to harass and last hit. Shield Vault (W) provides reliable engagement and crowd control.
Mid Game: Roam and look for picks with Grand Starfall (R). Utilize Aegis Assault (E) to mitigate incoming damage in team fights.
Late Game: Engage decisively with Grand Starfall (R), aiming to disrupt the enemy backline. Use Shield Vault (W) to catch out priority targets and Aegis Assault (E) for damage reduction.

Team Compositions and Playstyles
Brand:

Engage Comps: Thrives with champions that can initiate fights, allowing him to follow up with his high AoE damage.
Poke Comps: Excels in compositions that can siege and poke, softening up enemies before a full engagement.
Pick Comps: Works well with champions that can catch out opponents, amplifying his burst potential.
Pantheon:

Dive Comps: Pantheon’s burst and engage capabilities make him ideal for compositions that dive the backline.
Skirmish Comps: His strong early-game presence complements teams that focus on small fights and map control.
Split Push Comps: Pantheon can serve as a strong split pusher due to his global presence and dueling potential.

Why Brand Over Pantheon?
While both Brand and Pantheon offer distinct playstyles and strengths, Brand's consistent damage output, crowd control, and ability to influence team fights from a distance make him a valuable pick for players seeking a reliable mage. His ease of play, combined with his impactful presence in fights, makes him a strong choice for long-term use in ranked play. Pantheon, while powerful in the early game and capable of making significant plays, requires a more aggressive playstyle and careful management of his power spikes. However, when some players explore further and become familiar with heroes, some will buy cheap lol items from a safe and reliable supplier.

Countering Darius: Early, Mid, and Late Game Strategies for Brand and Pantheon in League of Legends
Facing Darius in the top lane can be daunting due to his oppressive laning phase and the potential to snowball. However, both Brand and Pantheon offer unique tools to counteract his strengths. Here, I will outline the strategies for early, mid, and late game phases, and discuss team fight approaches against different team compositions. By leveraging the distinct attributes of Brand and Pantheon, players can maximize their effectiveness in games.

Early Game: Handling Darius
Brand: As a ranged mage, Brand's early game revolves around poking and avoiding confrontations. The key is to abuse your range advantage. Start with Pillar of Flame (W) to harass Darius from a distance. Utilize Conflagration (E) to apply the blaze effect, and then follow up with Sear (Q) for a stun when Darius attempts to engage. Keep your distance to avoid his Apprehend (E) pull, which can set up his damaging combos.

Pantheon: Pantheon’s early game power allows for aggressive trades. Begin with Comet Spear (Q) to poke Darius and ensure consistent damage. When Darius tries to engage, counter with Shield Vault (W) to stun him and negate some of his damage. Pantheon’s Aegis Assault (E) is crucial for blocking incoming damage, especially from Darius’s Decimate (Q) and Noxian Guillotine (R). Focus on short trades and disengage with Aegis Assault (E) to minimize Darius's ability to heal through his passive.

Mid Game: Transitioning to Team Fights
Brand: In the mid-game, Brand should focus on wave clearing and rotating to assist in skirmishes. Utilize Pyroclasm (R) in clustered fights for maximum damage. Positioning is key; stay behind the frontline to avoid getting caught by Darius. In team fights, your primary role is to apply AoE damage and control zones with your abilities. When Darius engages, punish him with your full combo, especially if he overextends.

Pantheon: As Pantheon transitions to mid-game, his role shifts towards being a playmaker. Grand Starfall (R) can be used to initiate fights or follow up on engagement. When dealing with Darius, it’s crucial to utilize Aegis Assault (E) to block his critical abilities. In team fights, Pantheon can target the enemy backline, but if Darius poses a significant threat, it may be necessary to help peel for your carries by stunning him with Shield Vault (W).

Late Game: Strategic Execution and Team Fights
Brand: In the late game, Brand’s damage output can decide the outcome of fights. Maintain a safe position, relying on your team to protect you. Use Pillar of Flame (W) and Conflagration (E) to spread damage and control the battlefield. If Darius dives in, it’s vital to land a Sear (Q) stun to neutralize him temporarily. Always keep an eye on Darius’s positioning and be ready to kite back to avoid his Apprehend (E) and Noxian Guillotine (R).

Pantheon: Late game Pantheon needs to capitalize on his burst potential and utility. Grand Starfall (R) should be used strategically, either to start fights or as a flanking tool to catch the enemy off guard. Focus on bursting down key targets, using Comet Spear (Q) and Shield Vault (W) for quick engagements. When facing Darius, Aegis Assault (E) remains crucial in mitigating damage and protecting teammates.

Team Fight Dynamics and Engage Strategies
Brand: When dealing with varying team compositions, Brand's approach to team fights depends on his team’s engagement tools. With a hard engage composition, he can follow up with his AoE abilities after the initiation. In a poke composition, Brand can harass from a distance and zone the enemy with his abilities. Against dive compositions, it’s essential to position well and use your abilities defensively, focusing on kiting back and peeling for your carries.

Pantheon: Pantheon excels in compositions that require strong early aggression and quick engagements. With his point-and-click CC and Grand Starfall (R), he can disrupt the enemy backline or assist in engaging on priority targets. In a team with strong engagement, Pantheon can either initiate with his ultimate or provide follow-up CC. When the team lacks engagement, Pantheon can use his burst to take out squishy targets or act as a frontline, mitigating damage with Aegis Assault (E).

Brand's Attributes and Practical Tips
Brand’s power lies in his high AoE damage and crowd control potential. His abilities synergize to create chain reactions of damage, especially in clustered fights. The key to playing Brand effectively is positioning and timing. Players should always be aware of their surroundings, positioning themselves to maximize damage while avoiding direct threats. In the lane, Brand can be oppressive with his poke, but players must be cautious of overextending, as his lack of mobility makes him vulnerable to ganks.

Conclusion
Both Brand and Pantheon bring unique strengths to the table when facing Darius and in general gameplay. Brand’s consistent damage and control make him a valuable asset in team fights, while Pantheon’s versatility and burst potential provide early-game dominance and playmaking ability. Players looking for a reliable damage dealer with high team fight impact may prefer Brand, whereas those seeking an aggressive, proactive playstyle might gravitate toward Pantheon. By understanding each champion's attributes and mastering their mechanics, players can make informed decisions on their role in the team and maximize their impact in matches. I hope this guide helps you make the most out of these champions in your games!