Caitlyn vs Kai'Sa
Skill matchup
Build vs Kai'Sa
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Caitlyn: Hexoptics C44, Infinity Edge, Rapid Firecannon, Berserker's Greaves, Lord Dominik's Regards, The Collector, B. F. Sword, Guardian Angel.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Kai'Sa's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Kai'Sa's basic attacks stack Plasma, dealing increasing bonus magic damage. Allies' immobilizing effects help stack Plasma. Additionally, Kai'Sa's item purchases upgrade her basic spells to have more powerful properties.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 20s | 16s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 20s | 16s | 2m10 |
| 9 | 6s | 18.5s | 16s | 2m10 |
| 11 | 6s | 17s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 6s | 14s | 13s | 1m10 |
| 18 | 6s | 14s | 10s | 1m10 |
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.
Playing against Kai'Sa
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay near your minions
Stay near your minions: Icathian Rain (Q) splits its missiles between nearby enemies, and on your own, you take them all.
- Harass her before she evolves
If your attack range beats her 525 units, harass her early: Second Skin (passive) only evolves her spells as she buys items.
- Dodge her Void Seeker
Dodge Void Seeker (W): it marks you with Plasma and reveals you, which lets Killer Instinct (R) dash onto you from very far away.
Other Caitlyn matchups
Patch 16.21.1