Mobile Legends Bang Bang Julian Guide: Build, Combos & Lore

The Story of the Scarlet Raven: Julian's Tragic Past

Every hero in the Land of Dawn has a story, but few are as heartbreaking as that of Mobile Legends Bang Bang Julian. Known as the Scarlet Raven, Julian is a member of the Forsaken Light, a group of heroes with complex ties to the Church of Light. His journey is one of manipulation, loss, and ultimately, self-discovery.

Julian was originally the son of Terizla, the leader of the Free Smiths' Guild. When Julian was just six years old, the Church of Light accused the guild of heresy and wiped them out. The sole survivor, Julian wandered the streets starving until the Archbishop of the Church found him. Recognizing the boy's latent talent, the Archbishop took him in, gave him the name of an ancient saint, and sent him to the Raven's Nest—a brutal academy for orphans with special abilities.

At the Raven's Nest, children were taught that they were unworthy of love and that their only purpose was to serve as Ravens, the Church's secret assassins. Julian excelled, becoming the strongest among his peers. However, a chance encounter with Xavier, another member of the Forsaken Light, revealed the truth: Julian's mother had not abandoned him. She had sacrificed herself to save him, forcing a smile on his face before running to lure the Ravens away. This revelation shattered the Archbishop's brainwashing, and Julian finally found his true self.

This rich backstory makes Mobile Legends Bang Bang Julian one of the most compelling heroes in the game. His tragic past directly influences his gameplay, as his abilities are themed around his legacy as a smith's son and his training as a Raven assassin.

Understanding Julian's Unique Skill Kit

Julian is a hybrid hero, officially classified as an Assassin/Fighter. What makes him truly unique is his passive, Smith's Legacy. Unlike other heroes with a standard ultimate ability, Julian's kit revolves around casting any two of his three skills to enhance the third. This creates a dynamic and flexible playstyle that rewards smart decision-making.

Key Gameplay Mechanics:

• Passive (Smith's Legacy): After using two different skills, your third skill becomes enhanced. Using the enhanced skill puts all your skills on a 9-6 second cooldown.
• Hybrid Lifesteal: Hitting an enemy hero with any skill grants 15% extra Hybrid Lifesteal for 5 seconds, stacking up to 3 times.
• Magic Basic Attacks: After casting any skill, your next basic attack within 5 seconds deals Magic Damage and pulls the target toward you.

Mastering this rotation is the key to unlocking Julian's full potential. The standard combo is to use Skill 1 (Scythe) to poke, then Skill 3 (Chain) to immobilize, and finally use the enhanced Skill 2 (Sword) to dash in, dealing massive damage while untargetable.

The Best Build for Julian in 2026

To maximize Mobile Legends Bang Bang Julian's damage, you need to focus on Magic Power and Cooldown Reduction. Since all his skills scale with Magic Power, building him as a magic damage dealer is the most effective strategy. Here is the optimal build for the current meta.

Emblem Setup:

• Role: Mage
• Talent 1: Agility (Movement Speed)
• Talent 2: Observation (Magic Penetration)
• Talent 3: Impure Rage (Deals extra damage and restores Mana when using skills)

Battle Spell:

• Flicker: The best choice for Julian. It provides an escape tool and can be used to reposition during his enhanced Skill 2 dash.
• Execute: A good alternative for aggressive players who want to secure kills.

According to community reports, this build allows Julian to one-shot squishy marksmen and mages with his full combo, making him a terrifying threat in the mid to late game.

Laning and Rotations: How to Play Julian Effectively

Julian is primarily played in the EXP Lane or the Mid Lane. His strong early game damage and mobility make him a formidable laner. Here’s how to approach each phase of the game.

Early Game (Levels 1-4)

• Focus on Farming: Use your Skill 1 (Scythe) to last-hit minions and poke your lane opponent from a safe distance.
• Look for Level 2 Power Spike: Once you have two skills, you can use your passive rotation (Skill 1 -> Skill 2 -> Enhanced Skill 3) to deal significant burst damage.
• Avoid Overextending: Julian is strong, but he is also squishy. Avoid pushing the lane without vision of the enemy jungler.

Mid Game (Levels 5-10)

• Roam and Gank: Once you have your boots and first core item (Clock of Destiny), start roaming to help your team. Your enhanced Skill 2 (Sword) is a fantastic ganking tool because you can dash in while untargetable.
• Objective Control: Julian’s burst damage is excellent for securing objectives like the Turtle and Lord. Be present for these fights.
• Combo Priority: Your goal is to eliminate the enemy's backline (Marksman and Mage). Use the combo: Skill 3 (Chain) to immobilize -> Skill 1 (Scythe) to slow -> Enhanced Skill 2 (Sword) to finish.

Late Game (Levels 11+)

• Play as an Assassin: In team fights, do not initiate. Wait for your tank or initiator to engage, then look for an opening to dive the enemy carries.
• Flanking: Use the map's bushes and terrain to flank the enemy. Your enhanced Skill 2 makes you untargetable, allowing you to bypass the front line.
• Skill Cooldown Management: Be very aware of your passive cooldown. If you use your enhanced skill, you will be vulnerable for 6-9 seconds. Retreat and wait for your cooldowns to come back up.

Julian's Best Skins: The King of Collaboration

One of the most interesting facts about Mobile Legends Bang Bang Julian is that he is often called the "King of Collaboration" by the player community. He has been featured in multiple crossover events, making his skin collection one of the most diverse in the game.

The Yuji Itadori and Gon Freecss skins are particularly popular because they perfectly capture the essence of the anime characters while fitting Julian's agile and powerful playstyle. For fans of the series, these skins are a must-have.

Frequently Asked Questions about Julian

Q: Is Mobile Legends Bang Bang Julian a good hero for beginners? A: Julian has a medium skill floor. His unique passive requires you to think about which skills to use and in what order. However, his straightforward damage output and mobility make him easier to learn than other assassins. With practice, he can be very rewarding for new players.

Q: What is the best counter to Julian? A: Heroes with strong crowd control and burst damage can counter Julian effectively. Saber and Hayabusa can lock him down and kill him before he can use his enhanced skills. Additionally, heroes with high Magic Defense, like Gatotkaca or Hylos, can survive his burst and punish him.

Q: Did Julian's role change after his release? A: Yes. According to the official patch notes, Julian was initially released as a Fighter/Mage. In Patch 1.9.64, the developers changed his role to Assassin/Fighter. This was to better reflect his playstyle as a burst damage dealer and to make his in-game role more lore-accurate to his training as a Raven assassin.

Q: How do I unlock Julian? A: Julian can be purchased in the in-game shop using Battle Points (BP) or Diamonds. He was also given away for free during the 515 M-World event. If you missed that event, you can simply save up 32,000 BP to unlock him permanently.

For the most up-to-date information on hero stats and patch notes, always check the official Mobile Legends: Bang Bang website.