Akali vs Kayle
Skill matchup
You are stronger early. Look to snowball before your opponent scales.
Build vs Kayle
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Akali: Hextech Gunblade, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Stormsurge, Rabadon's Deathcap, Dark Seal, Mejai's Soulstealer.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Kayle's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Kayle's attacks are empowered by the heavens as she levels up and spends skill points. Her wings are lit aflame as she progressively gains Attack Speed, Move Speed, Attack Range, and waves of fire on her attacks.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12s | 15s | 8s | – |
| 6 | 10s | 15s | 8s | 2m40 |
| 9 | 8s | 15s | 8s | 2m40 |
| 11 | 8s | 15s | 8s | 2m |
| 16 | 8s | 15s | 7s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 8s | 15s | 6s | 1m20 |
Playing as Akali
Tips to maximize your impact
- Leave the ring for your auto
After each spell that hits, step out of the Assassin's Mark (passive) ring: your next auto gains range and damage.
- Mark before you leap
Mark your target with Shuriken Flip (E) before leaping with Perfect Execution (R): recasting Shuriken Flip takes you back to them, even after your leap.
- Dive inside your smoke
Cast Twilight Shroud (W) to dive under the enemy tower: inside the smoke you are invisible and untargetable, but an auto or a spell reveals you briefly.
- Save your second dash to finish
Save the second dash of Perfect Execution (R) to finish: its damage grows with the target's missing health.
Playing against Kayle
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Trade early
Take your trades early: at first, her attack range is a melee champion's, and Divine Ascent (passive) only extends it as she levels up.
- Freeze and starve her of levels
Freeze the wave near your tower to keep her off minions: each level empowers her autos through Divine Ascent (passive).
- CC during her R, damage after
During Divine Judgment (R), hold your damage but use any CC you have: the target can't take damage, but can still be slowed or stunned.
- Force early objectives
Force objectives and teamfights early on: Kayle gains power with every level, so every minute of the game plays in her favor.
Other Akali matchups
Patch 16.21.1