Kai'Sa vs Mel

Kai'Sa
vs
54.6%

over 419 games

Mel

Skill matchup

Heavy AP damageHigh burstHeavy pokeHeavy CC

Build vs Mel

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

Doran's Bow
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Kraken Slayer
1
Guinsoo's Rageblade
2
Terminus
3

Standard

Berserker's Greaves
4AS
Nashor's Tooth
5

Summoner spells

FlashBarrier80%
ExhaustFlash10%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Nashor's Tooth
Zhonya's Hourglass
Statikk Shiv
Phantom Dancer
Infinity Edge
Rabadon's Deathcap
Voltaic Cyclosword
Shadowflame
Seeker's Armguard
Guardian Angel
B. F. Sword
Runaan's Hurricane
Luden's Echo
Yun Tal Wildarrows
Lord Dominik's Regards
Dusk and Dawn
Mercurial Scimitar
Banshee's Veil
Wit's End
The Collector
Quicksilver Sash
Jak'Sho, The Protean
Maw of Malmortius
Bloodthirster
Hubris
Fiendhunter Bolts
Executioner's Calling
63.4% WR142 games
PrecisionPrecision
Lethal TempoLethal Tempo
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Legend: BloodlineLegend: Bloodline
Coup de GraceCoup de Grace
InspirationInspiration
Magical FootwearMagical Footwear
Biscuit DeliveryBiscuit Delivery
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Mel's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Searing Brilliance (P)

Whenever Mel uses an ability, she gains three bonus projectiles (up to nine maximum) on her next attack.When Mel deals damage through an ability or attack, she applies Overwhelm, which can stack infinitely. If the enemy is hit by Mel with enough Overwhelm damage, the stacks are consumed to execute the target.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s38s11s–
68s38s11s2m
96s35s11s2m
116s33s11s1m40
166s26s10s1m20
186s26s9s1m20

Playing as Kai'Sa

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. 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.

  2. Attack after your ally's CC

    Attack right after your support lands CC: with Second Skin (passive), your allies' immobilizing effects also stack Plasma.

  3. 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.

  4. 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 Mel

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Dodge her snare's orb

    Dodge the orb of Solar Snare (E): a direct hit roots you, and its aura slows and damages around it.

  2. Don't shoot into her barrier

    If you have projectiles, don't fire them into Rebuttal (W): the barrier reflects champion projectiles back at their caster.

  3. Let her marks expire

    At low health, back off for a few seconds to let Overwhelm expire: with enough stacks, Searing Brilliance (passive) executes you on her next hit.

  4. Jump on her if you can

    If you can engage, jump on her: Mel has no dash or leap, only the move speed Rebuttal (W) gives her.

Patch 16.21.1