Katarina vs Tristana
You are stronger early. Look to snowball before your opponent scales.
Build vs Tristana
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Katarina: Lich Bane, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Dark Seal, Rabadon's Deathcap, Kraken Slayer, Hextech Gunblade.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Tristana's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Increases Tristana's Attack Range as she levels.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 20s | 22s | 16s | – |
| 6 | 18s | 22s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 16s | 20s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 16s | 18s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 16s | 14s | 15s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 16s | 14s | 14s | 1m40 |
Playing as Katarina
Tips to maximize your impact
- Pick up your daggers
Pick up your daggers in trades and teamfights: Voracity (passive) then hits every nearby enemy, and each dagger picked up lowers the cooldown of Shunpo (E).
- Shunpo to your Q dagger
After Bouncing Blade (Q), blink to its dagger with Shunpo (E): it lands behind your target, and picking it up triggers Voracity (passive).
- Hit everyone before the kills
In teamfights, hit as many champions as you can before they go down: when one of them dies, Voracity (passive) sharply lowers all your cooldowns.
- Death Lotus after their CC
Cast Death Lotus (R) once the enemy CC is used: it's a channel, and a single CC is enough to cancel it.
Playing against Tristana
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Step away from your minions
Don't stay glued to your minions: when her autos kill them, Explosive Charge (E) damages nearby enemies, and her bomb also explodes in an area.
- Back off when her bomb is on you
Back off as soon as Explosive Charge (E) is stuck on you: each of her hits makes it stronger, and a bomb that explodes at max stacks resets Rocket Jump (W).
- Respect her Rapid Fire
When she activates Rapid Fire (Q) in a fight, back off until the bonus ends, or stun her if you can: her attack speed spikes for the spell's duration.
- Spread out when her bomb is on you
In teamfights, when Explosive Charge (E) is on you, spread out from your allies: when it explodes, the bomb also damages anyone near you.
Other Katarina matchups
Patch 16.21.1