Locke vs Master Yi
Hard matchup
Build vs Master Yi
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Locke: Lich Bane, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Dark Seal, Rabadon's Deathcap, Stormsurge, Mejai's Soulstealer.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Master Yi's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Every few consecutive basic attack, Master Yi strikes twice.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 20s | 10s | 14s | – |
| 6 | 19s | 10s | 14s | 1m25 |
| 9 | 18s | 10s | 14s | 1m25 |
| 11 | 18s | 10s | 14s | 1m25 |
| 16 | 18s | 10s | 14s | 1m25 |
| 18 | 18s | 10s | 14s | 1m25 |
Playing as Locke
Tips to maximize your impact
- Nails first, then Pursuit
Cast Ritual Nails (Q) before Ashen Pursuit (E): your hits consume the nails stuck in the target, and each extra nail adds damage.
- Finish them with autos
Finish off wounded targets with autos: Silver Stake (passive) adds magic damage that grows with their missing health.
- Activate W as the trade starts
Activate Soul Ignition (W) at the start of a trade: it costs you health, but at the end, you heal back part of the last damage taken, plus more based on your missing health.
- Save E for a kill or a gank
Save Ashen Pursuit (E) for a sure kill or to escape a gank: it's your only instant movement, it has a 10-second cooldown, and only a takedown resets it.
- Save Purgatory to finish
Save Purgatory (R) to finish: it seals marked enemies below a health threshold, and when you pick up the artifact, each sealed champion raises that threshold for good.
Playing against Master Yi
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Don't run alone from his R
Against Highlander (R), don't run alone: regroup with your team, because he gains speed and ignores slows.
- CC him after his Alpha Strike
If you have CC other than a slow, land it right after Alpha Strike (Q): during the strike, he's untargetable, and Highlander (R) ignores slows.
- Interrupt his Meditate
If you have CC, interrupt Meditate (W): he channels it to heal, more at low health, and to reduce the damage he takes.
- Pressure his jungle early
Put pressure on his jungle early on: Master Yi is strongest once he has his items, and each stolen camp delays him.
Other Locke matchups
Patch 16.21.1