Alistar vs Leona
Skill matchup
Build vs Leona
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Alistar: Locket of the Iron Solari, Zeke's Convergence, Knight's Vow, Boots of Swiftness, Celestial Opposition, Solstice Sleigh, Bramble Vest, Thornmail.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Leona's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Damaging spells afflict enemies with Sunlight for 1.5 seconds. When allied Champions deal damage to those targets, they consume the Sunlight to deal additional magic damage.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5s | 14s | 12s | – |
| 6 | 5s | 14s | 12s | 1m30 |
| 9 | 5s | 13s | 12s | 1m30 |
| 11 | 5s | 12s | 12s | 1m15 |
| 16 | 5s | 10s | 9s | 1m |
| 18 | 5s | 10s | 6s | 1m |
Playing as Alistar
Tips to maximize your impact
- Pulverize during your charge
Cast Pulverize (Q) during the Headbutt (W) charge: it's your core engage, and the target takes a knock-up as soon as you arrive.
- Stay in melee range during Trample
Stay in melee range during Trample (E): each pulse that hits a champion gives you a stack, and at max stacks your next auto stuns.
- Knock them toward your team
Get behind your target, then cast Headbutt (W) toward your team: the charge knocks them back along your path, straight into your allies.
- Cast your R when you get focused
Cast Unbreakable Will (R) when you dive under a tower or get focused: it removes all CC on you and reduces the damage you take.
Playing against Leona
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Respect her level 2
Back off if she reaches level 2 before you: Zenith Blade (E) then Shield of Daybreak (Q) root you, then stun you.
- Trade after her E
Trade right after Zenith Blade (E): it's her only dash to engage, and it has a 12 to 6 second cooldown.
- Don't line up with an ally
Don't stand in line with an ally when facing her: Zenith Blade (E) damages every enemy in its path and roots the last champion hit.
- Save your answer for her engage
If you have a knockback or a cleanse, save it for her engage: her whole combo relies on Zenith Blade (E) followed by a stun.
- Get out of the center of her R
When Solar Flare (R) lands, get out of the center: it stuns, while the edge only slows.
Other Alistar matchups
Patch 16.21.1