Thornmail Poppy Build

1. You rush Thornmail and stack as much Armor as you can.
2. You become auto-attackers' worst nightmare.
3. Hit or miss. Works great if the enemy team is full of physical damage and auto-attackers. Less effective against full AP - but still viable since players auto attack anyway.

1. You get extra spikey because of your Steadfast Presence (W) that gives additional Armor.
2. You get super extra spikey when you are below 40% (W), thanks to doubled defensive stats.
3. Shield from Iron Ambassador (Passive) indirectly increases Thornmail's damage as it increases your effective HP and you can take more hits. Use it on cooldown.

Getting started

1. Start with Bramble Vest and Ruby Crystal. Rush Thornmail #1, then keep stacking Armor items.
2. This build is aimed to counter AD comps. Since you don't know the enemy team before loading in, you need to adapt. If they are heavy AP, you can just fall back to a regular tank build.

During fights

1. Stay in the middle of fights as long as possible. The more enemies hit you, the more damage Thornmail reflects.
2. If you manage to proc Aftershock during the fight, you are gonna deal tons of damage from Thornmail, try keeping it for it, if you can.
3. Randuin's Omen is great for engagements - it slows enemies on activation and reduces their crit damage.
4. Late game, you can consider selling boots for a 6th item - for even more sweet Thornmail damage!
5. You can use Bandlepipes to give your whole team an attack speed boost whenever you CC enemies. Great synergy with auto attackers.

Runes

1. Be careful to not waste Aftershock. Try timing it and keeping it for going in. It increases your Armor greatly, which in turn increases Thornmail damage!
2. You can also take Grasp of the Undying as an alternative rune if you prefer scaling.
3. Triumph is better overall (heal + gold), but if you want to have easier time with your mana, go Presence of Mind.

1. Thanks to Iron Ambassador (Passive) and Steadfast Presence (W), you are tanky. You get even tankier below 40% maximum health - don't hesitate in clutch moments; that's when you're at your toughest.
2. You are awesome peeler. You can do it super well for carries (especially when playing off-meta roles)
• Long Keeper's Verdict (R) can knock enemies away, short Keeper's Verdict (R) can knock them in the air.
• Steadfast Presence (W) grounds and knocks enemies up if they are dashing for your carry.
• Heroic Charge (E) carries enemy and stuns them.

Iron Ambassador (Passive)

1. If you kill minion with your Iron Ambassador (Passive), shield gets back to you and you gain shield immediately (you don't need to pick it up). Use this for your advantage.
2. Remember to pick shield from Iron Ambassador (Passive) as often as possible! It prevents tons of poke and lets you play more aggressively.
3. Your Iron Ambassador (Passive) count as ranged attack, which means some runes and items will give you an effect as if you were ranged champion. For example: Grasp of the Undying - less heal, less Health, less dmg. Hubris - less ad. First Strike - less gold.
• Credit: Alex.

Steadfast Presence (W)

1. Do not use W too early. Enemies will hold anticipating your W. The more you wait, the more pressure you put on them (for example, they cannot go for your carry right away).

Heroic Charge (E)

1. You can use Heroic Charge (E) as escaping tool as well! Target minions or enemies that are far away to escape.
2. You can use E to pick up your shield!
3. You can stun enemies by using Heroic Charge (E) against champion-created walls and terrain!

1. Iron Ambassador tends to land near walls, try to take advantage of this with Heroic Charge.
2. Keeper's Verdict can be released immediately to send the enemy straight up, take advantage of this in duels.