Mel vs Jhin
Build vs Jhin
The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup
Recommended items for Mel: Luden's Echo, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Mejai's Soulstealer, Rabadon's Deathcap, Void Staff, Stormsurge.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Jhin's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Jhin's hand cannon, Whisper, is a precise instrument designed to deal superior damage. It fires at a fixed rate and carries only four shots. Jhin imbues the final bullet with dark magics to critically strike and deal bonus execute damage. Whenever Whisper crits, it inspires Jhin with a burst of Move Speed.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 12s | 2s | – |
| 6 | 6s | 12s | 2s | 2m |
| 9 | 5s | 12s | 2s | 2m |
| 11 | 5s | 12s | 2s | 1m45 |
| 16 | 5s | 12s | 2s | 1m30 |
| 18 | 5s | 12s | 2s | 1m30 |
Playing as Mel
Tips to maximize your impact
- Poke from range with your volley
Stay back and poke with Radiant Volley (Q): its projectiles explode in an area up to 950 range, and each hit applies Overwhelm.
- An auto after each spell
Land an auto after each spell: Searing Brilliance (passive) adds three projectiles to it per spell cast, and enough Overwhelm executes the target.
- Reflect their projectiles
Save Rebuttal (W) for a dangerous projectile: the barrier sends it back to its caster, and you gain a shield and move speed.
- Land your snare dead center
Hit your target head-on with Solar Snare (E): only the core of the orb roots, the aura around it just slows and damages.
- Finish from range with your R
Cast Golden Eclipse (R) to finish from range: it hits every enemy marked by Overwhelm, wherever they are, harder with each stack.
Playing against Jhin
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Trade while he reloads
Trade right after his 4th shot: Whisper (passive) then has to reload, and only his spells can hit you while he does.
- Respect his W after a hit
After Jhin or his allies hit you, step out of the line of Deadly Flourish (W): it roots you if you were damaged in the last 4 seconds, and it has huge range.
- Punish his lack of mobility
If you can engage, go for him when his support walks away: with no dash or leap, Jhin can only back off on foot.
- Interrupt his ult
During Curtain Call (R), he stays in place to channel: if you have CC, interrupt him, otherwise flank him.
Patch 16.21.1