Irelia vs Poppy
Hard matchup
You are stronger early. Look to snowball before your opponent scales.
Build vs Poppy
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Irelia: Blade of The Ruined King, Hullbreaker, Wit's End, Plated Steelcaps, Death's Dance, Kraken Slayer, Guardian Angel, Terminus.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Poppy's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Poppy throws her buckler that bounces off the target. Poppy can pick it up to gain a temporary shield.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8s | 20s | 14s | – |
| 6 | 6s | 20s | 14s | 2m20 |
| 9 | 4s | 18s | 14s | 2m20 |
| 11 | 4s | 16s | 14s | 2m |
| 16 | 4s | 12s | 12s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 4s | 12s | 10s | 1m40 |
Playing as Irelia
Tips to maximize your impact
- Mark your target before you dash
Mark your targets with Flawless Duet (E) or Vanguard's Edge (R) before Bladesurge (Q): if the target is Unsteady or dies to it, its cooldown resets.
- Stack your passive before trading
Before a trade, hit minions with Bladesurge (Q) to stack Ionian Fervor (passive): each stack gives attack speed, and at max stacks your autos hit harder.
- Catch your target between blades
Place the two blades of Flawless Duet (E) on either side of your target: only enemies caught between them are stunned.
- Tank burst with Defiant Dance
Use Defiant Dance (W) to absorb a burst: you take less damage while charging, and the longer you hold it, the harder the release hits.
Playing against Poppy
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay away from walls
Stay away from walls against her: Heroic Charge (E) stuns you if she slams you into an obstacle.
- Step on her buckler
Step on the Iron Ambassador (passive) buckler when it lands: she can no longer pick it up, so she doesn't get her shield.
- No dashes during Steadfast Presence
If you have a dash, don't use it near her during Steadfast Presence (W): the field stops it, and you're slowed and grounded.
- Interrupt her Verdict charge
If you have CC, use it when she spins her hammer for Keeper's Verdict (R): the longer she charges, the farther she sends her target.
Other Irelia matchups
Patch 16.21.1