Sylas vs Kayn

Sylas

Not enough games

Kayn

Analyze a draft with Sylas

Heavy AD damageHigh burstHigh sustainDive threat

Build vs Kayn

The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup

Starting items

—

x2—

Core build

1—

2—

3—

Standard

4CDR

5—

Summoner spells

71%

29%

Anti CC

4vs CC

Other options

—

Precision

Conqueror

Presence of Mind

Legend: Haste

Last Stand

Resolve

Unflinching

Second Wind

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Kayn's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

The Darkin Scythe (P)

Kayn wields an ancient weapon and fights Rhaast, the darkin within it, for control. Either the Darkin will triumph, or Kayn will master Rhaast and become the Shadow Assassin.Darkin: Heal for a percentage of spell damage dealt to champions.Shadow Assassin: For the first few seconds in combat with enemy champions, deal bonus damage.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

Level	Q	W	E	R
3	7s	13s	21s	–
6	6s	13s	21s	2m
9	5s	12s	21s	2m
11	5s	11s	21s	1m40
16	5s	9s	17s	1m20
18	5s	9s	13s	1m20

Playing as Sylas

Tips to maximize your impact

An auto after each spell
Weave an auto after each spell: Petricite Burst (passive) turns it into a chain swing around you, with bonus magic damage.
Save Kingslayer for low health
Save Kingslayer (W) to finish or to save yourself when your health drops: its healing grows with your missing health.
Abscond, then throw your chain
To engage, cast Abscond (E), then recast within 3.5 seconds: Abduct (E) pulls you to the first enemy hit and knocks them into the air.
Steal the ult that decides the fight
Cast Hijack (R) on the enemy whose ult can turn a teamfight: you keep a copy of it, cast with your own stats.

Playing against Kayn

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

Dodge his Blade's Reach
Dodge Blade's Reach (W): Umbral Trespass (R) can only target a champion he just damaged, and this ranged hit is how he marks you from range.
Save your CC for his E
If you have CC, land it during Shadow Step (E): once immobilized, he loses the spell and can't move through walls anymore.
Save your spells for his exit
Don't cast your spells during Umbral Trespass (R): hidden inside your ally, he's untargetable. Save them for when he bursts out.
Ward your jungle too
Ward your jungle too, not just the river: Shadow Step (E) lets him go through walls and show up from unexpected paths.
Pressure him before he transforms
Pressure him before his transformation: until he picks Rhaast or Shadow Assassin, The Darkin Scythe (passive) gives him no healing or bonus damage.

Other Sylas matchups

Patch 16.21.1