Matchup

Heavy AD damageSustained DPSHeavy poke

Build vs Caitlyn

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Rylai's Crystal Scepter
1Mage tank
Fimbulwinter
2Survival
Frozen Heart
3vs AD

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Liandry's Torment
5Mage tank

Summoner spells

41467%
41233%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Zhonya's Hourglass
5vs AD
Randuin's Omen
vs AD

Anti AP

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

DPS

Liandry's Torment
Mage tank
Riftmaker
Mage tank

Other options

Jak'Sho, The Protean
vs Hybride
100.0% WR1 games
PrecisionPrecision
ConquerorConqueror
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
Last StandLast Stand
ResolveResolve
ConditioningConditioning
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
SwainSwain
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