Matchup

Heavy AD damageSustained DPSHeavy poke

Build vs Caitlyn

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Gustwalker Hatchling
Health Potion

Core build

Liandry's Torment
1Mage tank
Riftmaker
2Mage tank
Zhonya's Hourglass
3vs AD

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
5Mage tank

Summoner spells

411100%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Bloodletter's Curse
5vs Tank

DPS

Rylai's Crystal Scepter
Mage tank
Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage
Cosmic Drive
Mage tank
DominationDomination
Dark HarvestDark Harvest
Cheap ShotCheap Shot
Grisly MementosGrisly Mementos
Treasure HunterTreasure Hunter
SorcerySorcery
WaterwalkingWaterwalking
CelerityCelerity
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
LilliaLillia
CaitlynCaitlyn
Passive
Favorable
Favorable

Caitlyn's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Headshot (P)

Every few basic attacks, or against a target she has trapped or netted, Caitlyn will fire a headshot dealing bonus damage that scales with her critical strike chance. On trapped or netted targets, Caitlyn's Headshot attack range is doubled.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s0.5s16s
68s0.5s16s1m30
96s0.5s16s1m30
116s0.5s16s1m30
166s0.5s12s1m30
186s0.5s8s1m30

Playing against Caitlyn

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Caitlyn is the queen of early game thanks to her range (650) — she's weaker in mid game before her 3rd item.

2

Traps (W) are visible: don't walk over them, go around. They're often placed under turrets.

3

An ally can block her R (Ace in the Hole) by stepping in front — protect your wounded carry.

4

Engage in melee: Caitlyn is weak up close and her E has a long cooldown.

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