Mel vs Katarina
Hard matchup
Build vs Katarina
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Mel: Luden's Echo, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Rabadon's Deathcap, Blackfire Torch, Dark Seal, Void Staff.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Katarina's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Whenever an enemy champion dies that Katarina has damaged recently, her remaining ability cooldowns are dramatically reduced.If Katarina picks up a Dagger, she uses it to slash through all nearby enemies, dealing magic damage.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 11s | 15s | 12s | – |
| 6 | 9s | 15s | 12s | 1m15 |
| 9 | 7s | 14s | 12s | 1m15 |
| 11 | 7s | 13s | 12s | 1m |
| 16 | 7s | 11s | 10s | 45s |
| 18 | 7s | 11s | 8s | 45s |
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 Katarina
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay away from her daggers
Stay away from her daggers on the ground: when she picks one up, Voracity (passive) hits every nearby enemy, and Shunpo (E) lets her blink to it.
- Trade after her Shunpo
Trade right after Shunpo (E): it's her only blink, and it has a 12 to 8 second cooldown, less if she picks up a dagger.
- Save your CC for her Lotus
If you have CC, save it for Death Lotus (R): it's a channel, and interrupting it stops its damage.
- Don't count on your healing
Don't count on your healing during Death Lotus (R): each knife applies Grievous Wounds, which reduces healing received.
Patch 16.21.1