Kai'Sa vs Mel
Skill matchup
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
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Mel's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 38s | 11s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 38s | 11s | 2m |
| 9 | 6s | 35s | 11s | 2m |
| 11 | 6s | 33s | 11s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 6s | 26s | 10s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 6s | 26s | 9s | 1m20 |
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 Mel
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Other Kai'Sa matchups
Patch 16.21.1