Matchup

Heavy AD damageSustained DPSHeavy poke

Build vs Caitlyn

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Scorchclaw Pup
Health Potion

Core build

Dusk and Dawn
1Mage tank
Nashor's Tooth
2DPS
Zhonya's Hourglass
3vs AD

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Rabadon's Deathcap
5Mage

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Shadowflame
5vs Tank
Void Staff
vs Tank
Stormsurge
vs Tank

DPS

Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage
Cosmic Drive
Mage tank

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
FizzFizz
CaitlynCaitlyn
Careful
Neutral
Neutral

Caitlyn's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Headshot (P)

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.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s0.5s16s
68s0.5s16s1m30
96s0.5s16s1m30
116s0.5s16s1m30
166s0.5s12s1m30
186s0.5s8s1m30

Playing against Caitlyn

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Caitlyn is the queen of early game thanks to her range (650) — she's weaker in mid game before her 3rd item.

2

Traps (W) are visible: don't walk over them, go around. They're often placed under turrets.

3

An ally can block her R (Ace in the Hole) by stepping in front — protect your wounded carry.

4

Engage in melee: Caitlyn is weak up close and her E has a long cooldown.

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