Kayn vs Xin Zhao

Kayn
vs
48.8%

over 940 games

Xin Zhao

Skill matchup

Heavy AD damageHeavy CCDive threatHigh burst

Build vs Xin Zhao

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Kayn: Voltaic Cyclosword, Black Cleaver, Death's Dance, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Hubris, Axiom Arc, Eclipse, Edge of Night.

Starting items

Scorchclaw Pup
Health Potion

Core build

Voltaic Cyclosword
1
Black Cleaver
2
Death's Dance
3

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Hubris
5

Summoner spells

FlashSmite94%
SmiteDot6%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Hubris
Axiom Arc
Eclipse
Edge of Night
Serylda's Grudge
Spear of Shojin
Bastionbreaker
Lord Dominik's Regards
Serpent's Fang
Spirit Visage
Serrated Dirk
Endless Hunger
Youmuu's Ghostblade
Guardian Angel
Mortal Reminder
Executioner's Calling
B. F. Sword
Maw of Malmortius
Sterak's Gage
Chempunk Chainsword
Bramble Vest
Thornmail
Umbral Glaive
Randuin's Omen
Quicksilver Sash
The Collector
Jak'Sho, The Protean
52.6% WR95 games
PrecisionPrecision
ConquerorConqueror
TriumphTriumph
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
Last StandLast Stand
SorcerySorcery
TranscendenceTranscendence
Axiom ArcanistAxiom Arcanist
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Xin Zhao's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Determination (P)

Every third attack deals bonus damage and heals Xin Zhao.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
37s12s11s–
66s12s11s2m
95s11s11s2m
115s10s11s1m50
165s8s11s1m40
185s8s11s1m40

Playing as Kayn

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Pick your form based on their team

    Take Rhaast against a tanky team, Shadow Assassin against squishy targets: The Darkin Scythe (passive) gives one healing, the other bonus damage at the start of fights.

  2. Gank through walls

    Gank through walls with Shadow Step (E): you move through terrain faster, and you heal when you first enter it.

  3. Hide inside an enemy

    To dodge a burst, cast Umbral Trespass (R) on a champion you just hit: inside, you're untargetable while your spells come back up.

  4. As Rhaast, hit everyone

    As Rhaast, hit as many champions as you can with your spells: The Darkin Scythe (passive) heals you for part of the ability damage they take.

Playing against Xin Zhao

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Dodge his thrust

    Get out of the line of the Wind Becomes Lightning (W) thrust: it slows you and marks you as Challenged, which extends the range of Audacious Charge (E) on you.

  2. Cut off his three hits

    If you have CC, use it during Three Talon Strike (Q): without his three autos, there's no knock-up, and his other cooldowns don't go down.

  3. Back off after his charge

    After Audacious Charge (E), keep your distance: it's his only dash to get back on you, and without it he has to walk up to you.

  4. No ranged damage after his ult

    After Crescent Guard (R), don't hit him from range: for a moment, he ignores damage from outside the swept zone. Back off, or hit him from inside it.

  5. Drag the game out

    If you survive his first minutes, play for time: Xin Zhao is strongest early on, through his ganks and skirmishes.

Patch 16.21.1