Brand vs Sylas
Skill matchup
Build vs Sylas
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Brand: Blackfire Torch, Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Liandry's Torment, Sorcerer's Shoes, Oblivion Orb, Zhonya's Hourglass, Morellonomicon, Shadowflame.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Sylas's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
After casting a spell, Sylas stores a charge of Petricite Burst. Sylas's basic attacks will expend a charge and whirl his energized chains around him dealing bonus magic damage to enemies hit. While Sylas has a charge of Petricite Burst, he gains attack speed.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 12s | 13s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 12s | 13s | 1m20 |
| 9 | 6s | 10.5s | 13s | 1m20 |
| 11 | 6s | 9s | 13s | 55s |
| 16 | 6s | 6s | 11s | 30s |
| 18 | 6s | 6s | 9s | 30s |
Playing as Brand
Tips to maximize your impact
- Three spells for the explosion
Hit the same target with three spells: at 3 stacks, Blaze (passive) becomes unstable and detonates 2 seconds later, dealing heavy damage around it.
- Set them ablaze before the stun
Start with Conflagration (E), then Sear (Q) to stun the target while they're ablaze, and finish with Pillar of Flame (W), which deals 25% more damage to them.
- Spread the fire from minions
Cast Conflagration (E) on a minion that's ablaze near your opponent: when the target is ablaze, the spread range doubles and reaches them.
- Save your R for a group
Cast Pyroclasm (R) when several enemies are close: the torrent bounces up to 5 times, first to champions that are ablaze but not yet at 3 stacks.
Playing against Sylas
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Keep minions between his chain and you
Stay behind your minions after his Abscond (E): the Abduct (E) chain pulls him to the first enemy hit, and only that one takes the knock-up.
- Don't trust his low health
Don't go all-in just because his health is low: Kingslayer (W) heals him more as he loses health.
- Back off after each of his spells
Get out of his range as soon as he casts a spell: each spell charges Petricite Burst (passive), and his next auto hits around him with bonus magic damage.
- Fight when he can't steal from you
Take the fight when Hijack (R) is on cooldown: he then can't copy your ult and turn it against your team.
Other Brand matchups
Patch 16.21.1