Kai'Sa vs Kalista
Skill matchup
Build vs Kalista
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Kai'Sa: Kraken Slayer, Guinsoo's Rageblade, Terminus, Berserker's Greaves, Nashor's Tooth, Zhonya's Hourglass, Statikk Shiv, Phantom Dancer.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Kalista's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Enter a movement command while winding up Kalista's basic attack or Pierce to lunge a short distance when she launches her attack.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9s | 30s | 0s | – |
| 6 | 9s | 30s | 0s | 2m40 |
| 9 | 9s | 30s | 0s | 2m40 |
| 11 | 9s | 30s | 0s | 2m20 |
| 16 | 9s | 30s | 0s | 2m |
| 18 | 9s | 30s | 0s | 2m |
Playing as Kai'Sa
Tips to maximize your impact
- Use Q on an isolated target
Cast Icathian Rain (Q) on an isolated target: the missiles split between nearby enemies, so a lone target takes them all.
- Attack after your ally's CC
Attack right after your support lands CC: with Second Skin (passive), your allies' immobilizing effects also stack Plasma.
- Mark your target before your R
Before Killer Instinct (R), stack Plasma on your target, from range with Void Seeker (W): the dash needs a marked target and gives you a shield.
- Play around your evolves
Make use of each spell that Second Skin (passive) evolves: Supercharge (E) makes you invisible to get in, and Icathian Rain (Q) fires more missiles at a lone target.
Playing against Kalista
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Back off so her spears drop
After a trade, back off until her spears fall out: they stay stuck for 4 seconds, and Rend (E) deals more damage for each extra spear.
- Hit her as her auto starts
Cast your spells as she starts an auto: she can't cancel the animation, and Martial Poise (passive) only makes her hop once the shot is out.
- Focus her Oathsworn
Focus her Oathsworn when you can: without them, Fate's Call (R) has no one to throw, and Sentinel (W) loses its bonus damage.
- Spread out when her ally is in stasis
When Fate's Call (R) pulls in her Oathsworn, spread out: they can launch within 4 seconds, stop at the first champion hit and knock back nearby enemies.
Other Kai'Sa matchups
Patch 16.21.1