Darius vs Master Yi
Skill matchup
Build vs Master Yi
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Darius: Youmuu's Ghostblade, Dead Man's Plate, Death's Dance, Plated Steelcaps, Stridebreaker, Sterak's Gage, Force of Nature, Spear of Shojin.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Master Yi's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Every few consecutive basic attack, Master Yi strikes twice.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 20s | 10s | 14s | – |
| 6 | 19s | 10s | 14s | 1m25 |
| 9 | 18s | 10s | 14s | 1m25 |
| 11 | 18s | 10s | 14s | 1m25 |
| 16 | 18s | 10s | 14s | 1m25 |
| 18 | 18s | 10s | 14s | 1m25 |
Playing as Darius
Tips to maximize your impact
- Hit with the edge of your axe
Aim the outer edge of Decimate (Q): only the blade heals you and applies Hemorrhage (passive). The handle, in the center, deals less damage.
- All-in at five stacks
Go all-in when your target has five Hemorrhage (passive) stacks: you gain a massive AD bonus, and Noxian Guillotine (R) hits harder with each stack.
- Save Apprehend for runners
Save Apprehend (E) to pull back an enemy who retreats, not to start a trade: it's your only pull, on a 26 to 16 second cooldown.
- Execute to recast your R
Cast Noxian Guillotine (R) on the lowest-health target: its true damage ignores armor, and if it kills, you can recast it right away.
Playing against Master Yi
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Don't run alone from his R
Against Highlander (R), don't run alone: regroup with your team, because he gains speed and ignores slows.
- CC him after his Alpha Strike
If you have CC other than a slow, land it right after Alpha Strike (Q): during the strike, he's untargetable, and Highlander (R) ignores slows.
- Interrupt his Meditate
If you have CC, interrupt Meditate (W): he channels it to heal, more at low health, and to reduce the damage he takes.
- Pressure his jungle early
Put pressure on his jungle early on: Master Yi is strongest once he has his items, and each stolen camp delays him.
Other Darius matchups
Patch 16.21.1