Poppy vs Ambessa
Hard matchup
Build vs Ambessa
The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup
Recommended items for Poppy: Tear of the Goddess, Sundered Sky, Fimbulwinter, Plated Steelcaps, Bramble Vest, Sunfire Aegis, Thornmail, Iceborn Gauntlet.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Ambessa's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Entering an attack or movement command while casting an ability will cause Ambessa to dash a short distance once the ability is cast, granting her next attack bonus range, damage, and attack speed, and refunding energy.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 14s | 18s | 13s | – |
| 6 | 12s | 18s | 13s | 2m10 |
| 9 | 10s | 17s | 13s | 2m10 |
| 11 | 10s | 16s | 13s | 1m55 |
| 16 | 10s | 14s | 11s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 10s | 14s | 9s | 1m40 |
Playing as Poppy
Tips to maximize your impact
- Pin your target against a wall
Position so that Heroic Charge (E) slams your target into a wall: they're then stunned and take bonus damage.
- Keep them in your zone
Keep your target in the Hammer Shock (Q) zone: the zone slows them, then explodes and deals the same damage a second time.
- Pick up your buckler
After a trade, pick up the Iron Ambassador (passive) buckler that bounced off your target: it gives you a temporary shield.
- Stop their dashes
Cast Steadfast Presence (W) when an enemy is about to dash onto you or your carry: the field stops dashes around you, and the stopped enemy is slowed and grounded.
- Send a diver far away
Charge Keeper's Verdict (R) to send away a diver or isolate their carry: the target is knocked back toward their Nexus, farther the longer you charge.
Playing against Ambessa
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Wait until her spells are down
Take a trade once her spells are down: Drakehound's Step (passive) only gives her a dash when she casts an ability, and her basic spells cost 70 energy.
- Don't hit into her guard
Stop hitting her when she casts Repudiation (W): if she blocks damage from a champion, her ground slam hurts much more.
- Respect her level 6
Once she hits level 6, don't isolate yourself at the back of your team: Public Execution (R) lets her blink to the farthest enemy in the line, and it can't be stopped.
Other Poppy matchups
Patch 16.21.1