Lissandra vs Ambessa
Skill matchup
Build vs Ambessa
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Lissandra: Malignance, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Blackfire Torch, Dark Seal, Imperial Mandate, Rabadon's Deathcap.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Ambessa's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Entering an attack or movement command while casting an ability will cause Ambessa to dash a short distance once the ability is cast, granting her next attack bonus range, damage, and attack speed, and refunding energy.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 14s | 18s | 13s | – |
| 6 | 12s | 18s | 13s | 2m10 |
| 9 | 10s | 17s | 13s | 2m10 |
| 11 | 10s | 16s | 13s | 1m55 |
| 16 | 10s | 14s | 11s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 10s | 14s | 9s | 1m40 |
Playing as Lissandra
Tips to maximize your impact
- Poke through a minion
Cast Ice Shard (Q) through a minion: the spear shatters on it, and its shards damage and slow the champion behind.
- Flank with your claw
Engage from the flank with Glacial Path (E): recast it to blink to the claw, then root nearby enemies with Ring of Frost (W).
- Ult yourself if you get focused
If you're getting focused, cast Frozen Tomb (R) on yourself: you become untargetable for a moment, heal based on your missing health, and the ice slows enemies around you.
- Fight where they fall
Stay in the heart of teamfights: Iceborn Subjugation (passive) turns an enemy champion who dies near you into a Frozen Thrall, which slows, then explodes.
Playing against Ambessa
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Wait until her spells are down
Take a trade once her spells are down: Drakehound's Step (passive) only gives her a dash when she casts an ability, and her basic spells cost 70 energy.
- Don't hit into her guard
Stop hitting her when she casts Repudiation (W): if she blocks damage from a champion, her ground slam hurts much more.
- Respect her level 6
Once she hits level 6, don't isolate yourself at the back of your team: Public Execution (R) lets her blink to the farthest enemy in the line, and it can't be stopped.
Other Lissandra matchups
Patch 16.21.1