Kai'Sa vs Zeri
Skill matchup
Build vs Zeri
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
Zeri's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Zeri's Attacks deal magic damage and are treated as Abilities. Moving and casting Burst Fire stores up energy in Zeri's Sparkpack. When fully charged her next Attack deals bonus damage.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0s | 12s | 24s | – |
| 6 | 0s | 12s | 24s | 1m20 |
| 9 | 0s | 11s | 24s | 1m20 |
| 11 | 0s | 10s | 24s | 1m15 |
| 16 | 0s | 8s | 21s | 1m10 |
| 18 | 0s | 8s | 18s | 1m10 |
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 Zeri
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay behind your minions
Keep minions between you and her: Burst Fire (Q) stops on the first enemy hit, except during Spark Surge (E), when it pierces through them.
- Stay away from walls
Don't fight near a wall against her: if Ultrashock Laser (W) hits it, it becomes an area laser that slows and critically strikes.
- Engage right after her dash
If you can engage, go in right after Spark Surge (E): it's her only dash, and each of her hits lowers its cooldown, so don't wait.
- Break contact during her ult
During Lightning Crash (R), back off out of her range: each hit she lands on a champion extends the effect and makes her faster.
Other Kai'Sa matchups
Patch 16.21.1