Matchup

Heavy AP damageHeavy pokeHigh burstSustained DPS

Build vs Mel

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Shield
Health Potion

Core build

Tear of the Goddess
1
Sundered Sky
2Bruiser
Fimbulwinter
3Survival

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Thornmail
5vs Hybride

Summoner spells

412100%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Thornmail
5vs Hybride
Unending Despair
vs AD
Randuin's Omen
vs AD
Dead Man's Plate
vs AD

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Spirit Visage
5vs AP

Other options

Jak'Sho, The Protean
vs Hybride
100.0% WR1 games
ResolveResolve
Grasp of the UndyingGrasp of the Undying
Shield BashShield Bash
Second WindSecond Wind
RevitalizeRevitalize
PrecisionPrecision
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Last StandLast Stand
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
PoppyPoppy
MelMel
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral

Mel's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Searing Brilliance (P)

Whenever Mel uses an ability, she gains three bonus projectiles (up to nine maximum) on her next attack.When Mel deals damage through an ability or attack, she applies Overwhelm, which can stack infinitely. If the enemy is hit by Mel with enough Overwhelm damage, the stacks are consumed to execute the target.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s38s11s
68s38s11s2m
96s35s11s2m
116s33s11s1m40
166s26s10s1m20
186s26s9s1m20

Playing against Mel

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Mel is relatively immobile and depends on positioning — flank her to force her out of her comfort zone.

2

Her R is global but has a delay — reposition if you see the indicator.

3

Focus her in teamfights to prevent her from buffing her allies with her zones.

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