Master Yi vs Aatrox
Skill matchup
You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.
Build vs Aatrox
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Master Yi: Blade of The Ruined King, The Collector, Lord Dominik's Regards, Berserker's Greaves, Titanic Hydra, Kraken Slayer, Guinsoo's Rageblade, Infinity Edge.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Aatrox's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Periodically, Aatrox's next basic attack deals bonus magic damage and heals him, based on the target's max health.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 14s | 18s | 9s | – |
| 6 | 10s | 18s | 9s | 2m |
| 9 | 6s | 16.5s | 9s | 2m |
| 11 | 6s | 15s | 9s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 6s | 12s | 7s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 6s | 12s | 5s | 1m20 |
Playing as Master Yi
Tips to maximize your impact
- Dodge with Alpha Strike
Cast Alpha Strike (Q) to dodge a spell or a burst: you're untargetable during the strike, and your autos lower its cooldown.
- Meditate to tank damage
Cast Meditate (W) to tank a burst mid-teamfight: you take less damage, heal more at low health, and the time left on Highlander (R) is paused.
- Activate Highlander to chase
Activate Highlander (R) to chase: you gain move speed and attack speed, and slows no longer affect you.
- Chain your kills
Chain kills in teamfights: each takedown lowers the remaining cooldown of your basic spells, and extends Highlander (R) if it's active.
Playing against Aatrox
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Avoid the edge of his blade
Stick to him or step out of range when he casts The Darkin Blade (Q): only the edge, at the end of each swing, knocks you into the air and deals full damage.
- Get out of his chains fast
Leave the Infernal Chains (W) zone before it closes, with a dash if you have one: otherwise you get pulled back to the impact point and take the damage again.
- Trade after his blade
Take a trade right after the three swings of The Darkin Blade (Q): it's his only knock-up, with a 14 to 6 second cooldown depending on rank.
- Short trades
Take short trades: Umbral Dash (E) heals him for part of all the damage he deals to champions, so a long trade favors him.
- Respect his level 6
Once he hits level 6, back off when he casts World Ender (R): he gains AD and increased healing, and every takedown extends its duration.
Other Master Yi matchups
Patch 16.21.1