Matchup

Heavy AD damageSustained DPS

Build vs Kalista

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Scorchclaw Pup

Core build

Hubris
1vs Tank
Axiom Arc
2vs Tank
Serylda's Grudge
3vs Tank

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Edge of Night
5vs Tank

Summoner spells

411100%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Death's Dance
5vs AD
Guardian Angel
vs AD

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Edge of Night
5vs Tank
Youmuu's Ghostblade
vs Tank
100.0% WR1 games
PrecisionPrecision
ConquerorConqueror
TriumphTriumph
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
Coup de GraceCoup de Grace
InspirationInspiration
Magical FootwearMagical Footwear
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
NaafiriNaafiri
KalistaKalista
Aggressive
Neutral
Passive

Kalista's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Martial Poise (P)

Enter a movement command while winding up Kalista's basic attack or Pierce to lunge a short distance when she launches her attack.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
39s30s0s
69s30s0s2m40
99s30s0s2m40
119s30s0s2m20
169s30s0s2m
189s30s0s2m

Playing against Kalista

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Kalista depends on her bound support — if the support is eliminated, she loses her R and a lot of utility.

2

Slows are devastating against Kalista: her passive dash scales with movement speed. Slow = tiny hops.

3

Burst champions are effective: if she can't auto to dash, she's very vulnerable.

4

Grievous Wounds isn't as important as against other ADCs — focus on CC and burst instead.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026