Matchup

High burstHeavy AP damageDive threatSplit push

Build vs Akali

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Gustwalker Hatchling
Health Potion

Core build

Thornmail
1vs Hybride
Sunfire Aegis
2vs AD
Jak'Sho, The Protean
3vs Hybride

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Protoplasm Harness
5Survival

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Randuin's Omen
5vs AD
Dead Man's Plate
vs AD

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Force of Nature
5vs AP

Other options

Protoplasm Harness
Survival

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
RammusRammus
AkaliAkali
Passive
Favorable
Favorable

Akali's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Assassin's Mark (P)

Dealing spell damage to a champion creates a ring of energy around them. Exiting that ring empowers Akali's next Attack with bonus range and damage.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
31.5s20s16s
61.5s20s16s2m
91.5s19s16s2m
111.5s18s16s1m30
161.5s16s13s1m
181.5s16s10s1m

Playing against Akali

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Her W (Shroud) has a long cooldown (20s) — once she uses it, engage because she has no protection left.

2

AoE abilities and untargeted CC (skillshots) are effective in her shroud since they don't require vision.

3

Akali is very weak before level 6 and before her first item — punish her in lane with poke.

4

She's vulnerable between her two R charges — if she uses R1 to engage, she has to wait before R2.

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