Cho'Gath vs Kayn
You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.
Build vs Kayn
The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup
Recommended items for Cho'Gath: Hextech Rocketbelt, Riftmaker, Dead Man's Plate, Plated Steelcaps, Heartsteel, Thornmail, Bramble Vest, Unending Despair.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Kayn's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Kayn wields an ancient weapon and fights Rhaast, the darkin within it, for control. Either the Darkin will triumph, or Kayn will master Rhaast and become the Shadow Assassin.Darkin: Heal for a percentage of spell damage dealt to champions.Shadow Assassin: For the first few seconds in combat with enemy champions, deal bonus damage.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 13s | 21s | – |
| 6 | 6s | 13s | 21s | 2m |
| 9 | 5s | 12s | 21s | 2m |
| 11 | 5s | 11s | 21s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 5s | 9s | 17s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 5s | 9s | 13s | 1m20 |
Playing as Cho'Gath
Tips to maximize your impact
- Aim Rupture where they're going
Aim Rupture (Q) where your opponent is going, not where they are: the area knocks them into the air and slows them.
- Silence after the knock-up
Follow a successful Rupture (Q) with Feral Scream (W): the silence stops them from casting spells, dashes included.
- Charge your spikes before a trade
Cast Vorpal Spikes (E) before a trade: your next 3 autos launch spikes that slow enemies in front of you and deal damage based on their max health.
- Eat as soon as Feast is up
Finish with Feast (R) as soon as it's up: each kill gives you permanent max health, but minions and non-epic monsters only give a limited amount.
Playing against Kayn
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Dodge his Blade's Reach
Dodge Blade's Reach (W): Umbral Trespass (R) can only target a champion he just damaged, and this ranged hit is how he marks you from range.
- Save your CC for his E
If you have CC, land it during Shadow Step (E): once immobilized, he loses the spell and can't move through walls anymore.
- Save your spells for his exit
Don't cast your spells during Umbral Trespass (R): hidden inside your ally, he's untargetable. Save them for when he bursts out.
- Ward your jungle too
Ward your jungle too, not just the river: Shadow Step (E) lets him go through walls and show up from unexpected paths.
- Pressure him before he transforms
Pressure him before his transformation: until he picks Rhaast or Shadow Assassin, The Darkin Scythe (passive) gives him no healing or bonus damage.
Other Cho'Gath matchups
Patch 16.21.1