Ahri vs Akali
Skill matchup
Build vs Akali
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Ahri: Malignance, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Lich Bane, Blackfire Torch, Dark Seal, Rabadon's Deathcap.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Akali's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Dealing spell damage to a champion creates a ring of energy around them. Exiting that ring empowers Akali's next Attack with bonus range and damage.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1.5s | 20s | 16s | – |
| 6 | 1.5s | 20s | 16s | 2m |
| 9 | 1.5s | 19s | 16s | 2m |
| 11 | 1.5s | 18s | 16s | 1m30 |
| 16 | 1.5s | 16s | 13s | 1m |
| 18 | 1.5s | 16s | 10s | 1m |
Playing as Ahri
Tips to maximize your impact
- Charm first, combo second
Land Charm (E) before your combo: it's your only CC, and a target walking toward you takes Orb of Deception (Q) both ways.
- Bring your orb back through the target
Position so Orb of Deception (Q) hits on the way out and on the way back: the return deals true damage.
- Farm to heal
To stay in lane, clear the wave with Orb of Deception (Q): Essence Theft (passive) heals you every 9 minions or monsters killed, and more after a takedown.
- Save a dash to get out
Engage with Spirit Rush (R) but save a dash to get out: you can cast it up to 3 times, and each takedown gives you another.
- Push, then roam
Push your wave with Orb of Deception (Q), then roam: the dashes of Spirit Rush (R) get you there fast and back out just as fast.
Playing against Akali
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Trade after her smoke
Take a trade once Twilight Shroud (W) is used: she can't vanish again until its 20 to 16 second cooldown is over.
- Play hard before she hits 6
Play hard before she hits level 6: without Perfect Execution (R), her only spell to get back on you is Shuriken Flip (E), on a 16 to 10 second cooldown.
- Fire into her smoke
If you have AoE spells or skillshots, throw them into the Twilight Shroud (W) smoke: they hit her even while she's invisible, whereas targeted spells can't be cast on her.
- Punish her when she's low on energy
Take a trade when she has just cast Five Point Strike (Q) several times: each cast costs 110 to 70 energy depending on rank, from a base pool of 200.
- Hit her between her two dashes
Hit her right after the first dash of Perfect Execution (R): she has to wait a moment before she can cast the second.
Patch 16.21.1