Kog'Maw vs Kalista
You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.
Build vs Kalista
The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup
Recommended items for Kog'Maw: Dusk and Dawn, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Void Staff, Zhonya's Hourglass, Banshee's Veil, Stormsurge.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Kalista's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Enter a movement command while winding up Kalista's basic attack or Pierce to lunge a short distance when she launches her attack.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9s | 30s | 0s | – |
| 6 | 9s | 30s | 0s | 2m40 |
| 9 | 9s | 30s | 0s | 2m40 |
| 11 | 9s | 30s | 0s | 2m20 |
| 16 | 9s | 30s | 0s | 2m |
| 18 | 9s | 30s | 0s | 2m |
Playing as Kog'Maw
Tips to maximize your impact
- Start with Caustic Spittle
Start your trades with Caustic Spittle (Q): it reduces the target's armor and magic resist, and its ranks also give you permanent attack speed.
- Activate W before the fight
Activate Bio-Arcane Barrage (W) right before the teamfight: it extends your attack range, and your autos deal damage based on the target's max health.
- Slow whoever charges you
When an enemy runs at you, cast Void Ooze (E) between you and them: the trail of ooze slows everyone who crosses it.
- Save your R to finish
Save Living Artillery (R) for targets below 40% health, where it deals its max damage: each shot fired in quick succession costs more mana.
Playing against Kalista
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Back off so her spears drop
After a trade, back off until her spears fall out: they stay stuck for 4 seconds, and Rend (E) deals more damage for each extra spear.
- Hit her as her auto starts
Cast your spells as she starts an auto: she can't cancel the animation, and Martial Poise (passive) only makes her hop once the shot is out.
- Focus her Oathsworn
Focus her Oathsworn when you can: without them, Fate's Call (R) has no one to throw, and Sentinel (W) loses its bonus damage.
- Spread out when her ally is in stasis
When Fate's Call (R) pulls in her Oathsworn, spread out: they can launch within 4 seconds, stop at the first champion hit and knock back nearby enemies.
Other Kog'Maw matchups
Patch 16.21.1