Matchup

Riven
Riven
89%
11%

vs

54.3%

over 648 games

Akali
Akali
38%
62%
High burstHeavy AP damageDive threatSplit push

Skill matchup

Build vs Akali

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Blade
Health Potion

Core build

Axiom Arc
1vs Tank
Endless Hunger
2DPS
Death's Dance
3vs AD

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Sundered Sky
5Bruiser

Summoner spells

41496%
4122%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Guardian Angel
5vs AD
Randuin's Omen
vs AD

Anti Heal

Mortal Reminder
6vs Hybride

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Maw of Malmortius
5vs AP
Mercurial Scimitar
vs AP

Anti Tank

Serylda's Grudge
5vs Tank
Black Cleaver
vs Tank
Voltaic Cyclosword
vs Tank
Serpent's Fang
vs Tank
Hubris
vs Tank
Profane Hydra
vs Tank
Lord Dominik's Regards
vs Tank
Youmuu's Ghostblade
vs Tank

DPS

Sundered Sky
Bruiser
Eclipse
DPS
Fiendhunter Bolts
DPS
Ravenous Hydra
DPS
Spear of Shojin
Bruiser
72.7% WR22 games
PrecisionPrecision
ConquerorConqueror
TriumphTriumph
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
Last StandLast Stand
InspirationInspiration
Jack Of All TradesJack Of All Trades
Cash BackCash Back
Ability HasteAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
RivenRiven
AkaliAkali
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral

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 8, 2026