Matchup

Heavy AD damageHigh sustainDive threatHigh burst

Build vs Kayn

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Seraph's Embrace
1Mage
Cryptbloom
2vs Tank
Rabadon's Deathcap
3Mage

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Zhonya's Hourglass
5vs AD

Summoner spells

41288%
4613%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Zhonya's Hourglass
5vs AD

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Shadowflame
5vs Tank
Void Staff
vs Tank
Stormsurge
vs Tank

DPS

Luden's Echo
Mage
Cosmic Drive
Mage tank
100.0% WR1 games
SorcerySorcery
Stormraider's SurgeStormraider's Surge
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
PrecisionPrecision
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
OriannaOrianna
KaynKayn
Passive
Favorable
Favorable

Kayn's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

The Darkin Scythe (P)

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

LevelQWER
37s13s21s
66s13s21s2m
95s12s21s2m
115s11s21s1m40
165s9s17s1m20
185s9s13s1m20

Playing against Kayn

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Ward beyond walls: Kayn passes through walls with his E, classic river wards aren't enough.

2

Blue form (assassin) is squishy: a CC kills him quickly. Red form (Rhaast) has sustain: Grievous Wounds is mandatory.

3

His R makes him untouchable — don't waste abilities when he's inside an ally.

4

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