Matchup

Heavy AD damageSustained DPSHeavy poke

Build vs Caitlyn

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Shield
Health Potion

Core build

Thornmail
1vs Hybride
Titanic Hydra
2Bruiser
Hullbreaker
3Bruiser

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Randuin's Omen
5vs AD

Summoner spells

41286%
465%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Randuin's Omen
5vs AD
Sunfire Aegis
vs AD
Unending Despair
vs AD

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Jak'Sho, The Protean
5vs Hybride
Hollow Radiance
vs AP

Other options

Overlord's Bloodmail
HP
100.0% WR1 games
ResolveResolve
Grasp of the UndyingGrasp of the Undying
DemolishDemolish
ConditioningConditioning
OvergrowthOvergrowth
InspirationInspiration
Cash BackCash Back
Approach VelocityApproach Velocity
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
SionSion
CaitlynCaitlyn
Passive
Favorable
Favorable

Caitlyn's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Headshot (P)

Every few basic attacks, or against a target she has trapped or netted, Caitlyn will fire a headshot dealing bonus damage that scales with her critical strike chance. On trapped or netted targets, Caitlyn's Headshot attack range is doubled.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s0.5s16s
68s0.5s16s1m30
96s0.5s16s1m30
116s0.5s16s1m30
166s0.5s12s1m30
186s0.5s8s1m30

Playing against Caitlyn

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Caitlyn is the queen of early game thanks to her range (650) — she's weaker in mid game before her 3rd item.

2

Traps (W) are visible: don't walk over them, go around. They're often placed under turrets.

3

An ally can block her R (Ace in the Hole) by stepping in front — protect your wounded carry.

4

Engage in melee: Caitlyn is weak up close and her E has a long cooldown.

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