Sona vs Pyke
Skill matchup
Build vs Pyke
The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup
Recommended items for Sona: Tear of the Goddess, Echoes of Helia, Diadem of Songs, Boots of Swiftness, Bloodsong, Dream Maker, Moonstone Renewer, Staff of Flowing Water.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Pyke's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
When Pyke is hidden from enemies, he regenerates damage that he has recently taken from champions. Pyke also cannot gain extra Maximum Health from any source, and instead gains Bonus AD.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 14s | 15s | – |
| 6 | 9s | 14s | 15s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 8s | 13s | 15s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 8s | 12s | 15s | 1m25 |
| 16 | 8s | 10s | 13s | 1m10 |
| 18 | 8s | 10s | 11s | 1m10 |
Playing as Sona
Tips to maximize your impact
- Choose your last spell
Choose the spell you cast before Power Chord (passive): after Hymn of Valor (Q), the auto deals more damage, and after Aria of Perseverance (W), it weakens the target.
- Tag your allies with your aura
After each spell, move close to your allies: your aura gives them a damage, shield or speed bonus depending on the spell.
- Build up Accelerando
Hit champions with Hymn of Valor (Q) and shield allies with Aria of Perseverance (W): Power Chord (passive) gives you ability haste, then reduces the cooldown of Crescendo (R).
- Crescendo on several enemies
Save Crescendo (R) for when several enemies are in front of you: it stuns them all and deals damage to them.
Playing against Pyke
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Put a minion between you and him
When he charges Bone Skewer (Q), put a minion between you and him or step aside: the hook pulls the first enemy hit.
- Back off when sharks appear
Back off as soon as sharks appear under your feet: it means Pyke is hidden right next to you in Ghostwater Dive (W).
- Leave the line of his phantom
After the Phantom Undertow (E) dash, get out of the line between his starting point and him: the phantom returns to Pyke and stuns champions it passes through.
- Leave his X at low health
Get out of the Death From Below (R) X when you're low: below its health threshold, you're executed there, and above it, you only take part of the damage.
- Focus him as soon as he shows
If you can reach him, focus him as soon as he shows himself: out of your sight, Gift of the Drowned Ones (passive) restores the damage you just dealt him.
Patch 16.21.1