Matchup

High burstHeavy AP damageDive threatSplit push

Build vs Akali

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Gustwalker Hatchling

Core build

Hubris
1vs Tank
Youmuu's Ghostblade
2vs Tank
Serylda's Grudge
3vs Tank

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Umbral Glaive
5vs Tank

Summoner spells

411100%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Guardian Angel
5vs AD

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Umbral Glaive
5vs Tank
Edge of Night
vs Tank
Serpent's Fang
vs Tank

DPS

Opportunity
DPS
50.0% WR2 games
DominationDomination
Dark HarvestDark Harvest
Sudden ImpactSudden Impact
Grisly MementosGrisly Mementos
Treasure HunterTreasure Hunter
PrecisionPrecision
Coup de GraceCoup de Grace
TriumphTriumph
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
KhazixKhazix
AkaliAkali
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral

Akali's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Assassin's Mark (P)

Dealing spell damage to a champion creates a ring of energy around them. Exiting that ring empowers Akali's next Attack with bonus range and damage.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
31.5s20s16s
61.5s20s16s2m
91.5s19s16s2m
111.5s18s16s1m30
161.5s16s13s1m
181.5s16s10s1m

Playing against Akali

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Her W (Shroud) has a long cooldown (20s) — once she uses it, engage because she has no protection left.

2

AoE abilities and untargeted CC (skillshots) are effective in her shroud since they don't require vision.

3

Akali is very weak before level 6 and before her first item — punish her in lane with poke.

4

She's vulnerable between her two R charges — if she uses R1 to engage, she has to wait before R2.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026