Matchup

High burstHeavy AP damageDive threatSplit push

Build vs Akali

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Scorchclaw Pup

Core build

Sundered Sky
1Bruiser
Black Cleaver
2vs Tank
Guardian Angel
3vs AD

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Profane Hydra
5vs Tank

Summoner spells

411100%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Frozen Heart
5vs AD

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Spirit Visage
5vs AP

Anti Tank

Profane Hydra
5vs Tank
Youmuu's Ghostblade
vs Tank

Other options

Sterak's Gage
Survival
PrecisionPrecision
ConquerorConqueror
TriumphTriumph
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
Coup de GraceCoup de Grace
InspirationInspiration
Magical FootwearMagical Footwear
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
JarvanIVJarvan IV
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