Jarvan IV vs Kayn
Skill matchup
Build vs Kayn
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Jarvan IV: Profane Hydra, Voltaic Cyclosword, Bastionbreaker, Plated Steelcaps, Sundered Sky, Death's Dance, Black Cleaver, Eclipse.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Kayn's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Kayn wields an ancient weapon and fights Rhaast, the darkin within it, for control. Either the Darkin will triumph, or Kayn will master Rhaast and become the Shadow Assassin.Darkin: Heal for a percentage of spell damage dealt to champions.Shadow Assassin: For the first few seconds in combat with enemy champions, deal bonus damage.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 13s | 21s | – |
| 6 | 6s | 13s | 21s | 2m |
| 9 | 5s | 12s | 21s | 2m |
| 11 | 5s | 11s | 21s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 5s | 9s | 17s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 5s | 9s | 13s | 1m20 |
Playing as Jarvan IV
Tips to maximize your impact
- Flag first, then lance
Plant Demacian Standard (E), then cast Dragon Strike (Q) toward it: you fly to the flag and knock enemies in your path into the air.
- Start with an auto
Land an auto as soon as you reach your target: Martial Cadence (passive) adds damage based on their current health, then only triggers on them again after a few seconds.
- Trap a carry in your arena
Cast Cataclysm (R) on a carry who is away from their team: the arena is impassable, and you can recast to collapse it if it gets in your allies' way.
- Plant your flag near your allies
In teamfights, plant Demacian Standard (E) near the allies who are attacking: it gives them attack speed while they stay close to it.
Playing against Kayn
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Dodge his Blade's Reach
Dodge Blade's Reach (W): Umbral Trespass (R) can only target a champion he just damaged, and this ranged hit is how he marks you from range.
- Save your CC for his E
If you have CC, land it during Shadow Step (E): once immobilized, he loses the spell and can't move through walls anymore.
- Save your spells for his exit
Don't cast your spells during Umbral Trespass (R): hidden inside your ally, he's untargetable. Save them for when he bursts out.
- Ward your jungle too
Ward your jungle too, not just the river: Shadow Step (E) lets him go through walls and show up from unexpected paths.
- Pressure him before he transforms
Pressure him before his transformation: until he picks Rhaast or Shadow Assassin, The Darkin Scythe (passive) gives him no healing or bonus damage.
Other Jarvan IV matchups
Patch 16.21.1