Matchup

High burstHeavy AP damageDive threatSplit push

Build vs Akali

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Gustwalker Hatchling

Core build

Malignance
1Mage
Liandry's Torment
2Mage tank
Zhonya's Hourglass
3vs AD

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Hextech Rocketbelt
5Mage tank

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Banshee's Veil
5vs AP

Anti Tank

Void Staff
5vs Tank
Shadowflame
vs Tank

DPS

Hextech Rocketbelt
Mage tank
Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
FiddlesticksFiddlesticks
AkaliAkali
Passive
Favorable
Favorable

Akali's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Assassin's Mark (P)

Dealing spell damage to a champion creates a ring of energy around them. Exiting that ring empowers Akali's next Attack with bonus range and damage.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
31.5s20s16s
61.5s20s16s2m
91.5s19s16s2m
111.5s18s16s1m30
161.5s16s13s1m
181.5s16s10s1m

Playing against Akali

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Her W (Shroud) has a long cooldown (20s) — once she uses it, engage because she has no protection left.

2

AoE abilities and untargeted CC (skillshots) are effective in her shroud since they don't require vision.

3

Akali is very weak before level 6 and before her first item — punish her in lane with poke.

4

She's vulnerable between her two R charges — if she uses R1 to engage, she has to wait before R2.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026