Kassadin vs Sylas
Skill matchup
You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.
Build vs Sylas
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Kassadin: Tear of the Goddess, Rod of Ages, Seraph's Embrace, Sorcerer's Shoes, Malignance, Dark Seal, Zhonya's Hourglass, Rabadon's Deathcap.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Sylas's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
After casting a spell, Sylas stores a charge of Petricite Burst. Sylas's basic attacks will expend a charge and whirl his energized chains around him dealing bonus magic damage to enemies hit. While Sylas has a charge of Petricite Burst, he gains attack speed.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 12s | 13s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 12s | 13s | 1m20 |
| 9 | 6s | 10.5s | 13s | 1m20 |
| 11 | 6s | 9s | 13s | 55s |
| 16 | 6s | 6s | 11s | 30s |
| 18 | 6s | 6s | 9s | 30s |
Playing as Kassadin
Tips to maximize your impact
- Trade with Q against mages
Against a mage, take your trades with Null Sphere (Q): it gives you a magic damage shield for 1.5 seconds and interrupts channels.
- Restore mana with your W
Restore mana with Nether Blade (W): your next auto restores part of your missing mana, more on a champion.
- Farm while you wait for Riftwalk
Farm safely early on: your power comes from ranks in Riftwalk (R), whose cooldown drops from 5 to 2 seconds.
- Watch your mana when chaining R
Chain Riftwalk (R) in teamfights while watching your mana: each quick recast adds damage, but doubles its mana cost.
Playing against Sylas
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Keep minions between his chain and you
Stay behind your minions after his Abscond (E): the Abduct (E) chain pulls him to the first enemy hit, and only that one takes the knock-up.
- Don't trust his low health
Don't go all-in just because his health is low: Kingslayer (W) heals him more as he loses health.
- Back off after each of his spells
Get out of his range as soon as he casts a spell: each spell charges Petricite Burst (passive), and his next auto hits around him with bonus magic damage.
- Fight when he can't steal from you
Take the fight when Hijack (R) is on cooldown: he then can't copy your ult and turn it against your team.
Other Kassadin matchups
Patch 16.21.1