Caitlyn
Recommended Build
Most popular build path
Recommended items for Caitlyn: Hexoptics C44, Infinity Edge, Rapid Firecannon, Berserker's Greaves, Lord Dominik's Regards, Mortal Reminder, Guardian Angel, Bloodthirster.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Anti CC
Other options
Precision
Lethal Tempo
Presence of Mind
Legend: Bloodline
Coup de Grace
Sorcery
Absolute Focus
Gathering Storm
Playing as Caitlyn
Tips to maximize your impact
- Put your traps in their path
Place Yordle Snap Trap (W) in brushes and in their path: a champion who steps on one is rooted, and revealed to you for 3 seconds.
- Net and trap for your headshots
Chain 90 Caliber Net (E) and Yordle Snap Trap (W) under the slowed target: each champion netted or trapped grants you a double-range Headshot (passive).
- Fire your Q at a trapped target
Fire Piltover Peacemaker (Q) at a champion caught in your trap: they take full damage, even if the shot passed through a minion first.
- Save your R to finish
Save Ace in the Hole (R) to finish a low-health target that's fleeing: another enemy champion can block the shot, so fire when no one is covering them.
Versus
Compare against an opponent
Caitlyn matchups
Global strengths and weaknesses
All Caitlyn matchups
Build, runes and tips against each opponent
Caitlyn vs Jhin
Caitlyn vs Jinx
Caitlyn vs Kai'Sa
Caitlyn vs Ezreal
Caitlyn vs Tristana
Caitlyn vs Yunara
Caitlyn vs Lucian
Caitlyn vs Aphelios
Caitlyn vs Ashe
Caitlyn vs Miss Fortune
Caitlyn vs Twitch
Caitlyn vs Smolder
Caitlyn vs Draven
Caitlyn vs Sivir
Caitlyn vs Xayah
Caitlyn vs Hwei
Caitlyn vs Xerath
Caitlyn vs Lux
Playing against Caitlyn
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Don't stay in her range
Don't stay in her range for no reason: her autos reach 650, and every few autos, Headshot (passive) hits harder.
- Walk around her traps
Walk around her traps: stepping on a Yordle Snap Trap (W) roots you, reveals you for 3 seconds and gives her a double-range Headshot (passive).
- Engage after her net
If you can engage, wait for her 90 Caliber Net (E): it's her only way to hop backward, on a 16 to 8 second cooldown.
- Cover your wounded ally
If a wounded ally is targeted by Ace in the Hole (R), step into the line of fire: any champion on your team can intercept the bullet.
Abilities and cooldowns
Every few basic attacks, or against a target she has trapped or netted, Caitlyn will fire a headshot dealing bonus damage that scales with her critical strike chance. On trapped or netted targets, Caitlyn's Headshot attack range is doubled.
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 0.5s | 16s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 0.5s | 16s | 1m30 |
| 9 | 6s | 0.5s | 16s | 1m30 |
| 11 | 6s | 0.5s | 16s | 1m30 |
| 16 | 6s | 0.5s | 12s | 1m30 |
| 18 | 6s | 0.5s | 8s | 1m30 |
How pros play Caitlyn
High-elo players who play this champion.
Patch 16.21.1