Mel vs Kai'Sa

Mel
vs
Not enough games
Kai'Sa
Sustained DPSHigh burstHeavy AP damageHeavy AD damage

Build vs Kai'Sa

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, Blackfire Torch, Rabadon's Deathcap, Dark Seal, Liandry's Torment.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Luden's Echo
1
Shadowflame
2
Zhonya's Hourglass
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Blackfire Torch
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport100%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Blackfire Torch
Rabadon's Deathcap
Dark Seal
Liandry's Torment
Void Staff
Stormsurge
Cosmic Drive
SorcerySorcery
Arcane CometArcane Comet
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
PrecisionPrecision
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Coup de GraceCoup de Grace
Ability HasteAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Kai'Sa's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Second Skin (P)

Kai'Sa's basic attacks stack Plasma, dealing increasing bonus magic damage. Allies' immobilizing effects help stack Plasma. Additionally, Kai'Sa's item purchases upgrade her basic spells to have more powerful properties.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s20s16s–
68s20s16s2m10
96s18.5s16s2m10
116s17s16s1m40
166s14s13s1m10
186s14s10s1m10

Playing as Mel

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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 Kai'Sa

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Stay near your minions

    Stay near your minions: Icathian Rain (Q) splits its missiles between nearby enemies, and on your own, you take them all.

  2. Harass her before she evolves

    If your attack range beats her 525 units, harass her early: Second Skin (passive) only evolves her spells as she buys items.

  3. Dodge her Void Seeker

    Dodge Void Seeker (W): it marks you with Plasma and reveals you, which lets Killer Instinct (R) dash onto you from very far away.

Patch 16.21.1