Matchup
Build vs Kayn
Build adapted to this matchup
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Anti CC
Anti Tank
DPS
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Neeko
KaynKayn's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Kayn wields an ancient weapon and fights Rhaast, the darkin within it, for control. Either the Darkin will triumph, or Kayn will master Rhaast and become the Shadow Assassin.Darkin: Heal for a percentage of spell damage dealt to champions.Shadow Assassin: For the first few seconds in combat with enemy champions, deal bonus damage.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 13s | 21s | – |
| 6 | 6s | 13s | 21s | 2m |
| 9 | 5s | 12s | 21s | 2m |
| 11 | 5s | 11s | 21s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 5s | 9s | 17s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 5s | 9s | 13s | 1m20 |
Playing against Kayn
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
Ward beyond walls: Kayn passes through walls with his E, classic river wards aren't enough.
Blue form (assassin) is squishy: a CC kills him quickly. Red form (Rhaast) has sustain: Grievous Wounds is mandatory.
His R makes him untouchable — don't waste abilities when he's inside an ally.
Before his transformation, Kayn is relatively weak — invade his jungle early to delay his transformation.
Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026