Graves vs Ambessa
Skill matchup
Build vs Ambessa
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Graves: Hubris, The Collector, Lord Dominik's Regards, Plated Steelcaps, Youmuu's Ghostblade, Immortal Shieldbow, Infinity Edge, Mortal Reminder.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Ambessa's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Entering an attack or movement command while casting an ability will cause Ambessa to dash a short distance once the ability is cast, granting her next attack bonus range, damage, and attack speed, and refunding energy.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 14s | 18s | 13s | – |
| 6 | 12s | 18s | 13s | 2m10 |
| 9 | 10s | 17s | 13s | 2m10 |
| 11 | 10s | 16s | 13s | 1m55 |
| 16 | 10s | 14s | 11s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 10s | 14s | 9s | 1m40 |
Playing as Graves
Tips to maximize your impact
- Clear your line of fire
Position with no minion between you and your target: each New Destiny (passive) auto fires 4 bullets that can't pass through units.
- Blind their carries
Cast Smoke Screen (W) on their carries: inside the smoke, they're slowed and can't see anything outside it for 4 seconds.
- Back away as you fire your R
Fire Collateral Damage (R) with your back to the danger: the shot knocks you backward, enough to reposition while dealing damage.
- Chain dashes during your clear
Cast Quickdraw (E) often during your clear: it reloads a shell, gives armor and magic resist, and each bullet that hits lowers its cooldown.
Playing against Ambessa
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Wait until her spells are down
Take a trade once her spells are down: Drakehound's Step (passive) only gives her a dash when she casts an ability, and her basic spells cost 70 energy.
- Don't hit into her guard
Stop hitting her when she casts Repudiation (W): if she blocks damage from a champion, her ground slam hurts much more.
- Respect her level 6
Once she hits level 6, don't isolate yourself at the back of your team: Public Execution (R) lets her blink to the farthest enemy in the line, and it can't be stopped.
Other Graves matchups
Patch 16.21.1