Kennen vs Sylas
Skill matchup
Build vs Sylas
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Kennen: Hextech Rocketbelt, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Oblivion Orb, Hextech Gunblade, Stormsurge, 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 Kennen
Tips to maximize your impact
- Harass melees with Q
Against a melee champion, harass with Thundering Shuriken (Q) from your range: the shuriken flies far and applies Mark of the Storm (passive).
- Three marks to stun
Hit the same target with Thundering Shuriken (Q), Lightning Rush (E) then Electrical Surge (W): each spell applies Mark of the Storm (passive), and the third stuns.
- Trade with your 5th auto
Take your trades when your 5th auto is ready: Electrical Surge (W) adds magic damage and a Mark of the Storm (passive) to it.
- Engage into the middle of the group
To engage, rush into the group with Lightning Rush (E), Flash if needed, then cast Slicing Maelstrom (R): its repeated hits apply marks and stun.
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 Kennen matchups
Patch 16.21.1