Syndra vs Katarina
Hard matchup
Build vs Katarina
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Syndra: Luden's Echo, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Blackfire Torch, Zhonya's Hourglass, Stormsurge, Dark Seal.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Katarina's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Whenever an enemy champion dies that Katarina has damaged recently, her remaining ability cooldowns are dramatically reduced.If Katarina picks up a Dagger, she uses it to slash through all nearby enemies, dealing magic damage.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 11s | 15s | 12s | – |
| 6 | 9s | 15s | 12s | 1m15 |
| 9 | 7s | 14s | 12s | 1m15 |
| 11 | 7s | 13s | 12s | 1m |
| 16 | 7s | 11s | 10s | 45s |
| 18 | 7s | 11s | 8s | 45s |
Playing as Syndra
Tips to maximize your impact
- Push a sphere to stun
Place Dark Sphere (Q) between you and your target, then cast Scatter the Weak (E): the sphere you push stuns the enemies it hits.
- Follow Force of Will with a sphere
After landing Force of Will (W), follow up right away with Dark Sphere (Q): the target is slowed and has a hard time dodging it.
- Poke with Dark Sphere
Poke with Dark Sphere (Q) from level 1: it has 800 range, its cooldown is only 7 seconds, and each rank of your ult lowers it further.
- Damage enemies to grow your spells
Hit enemies whenever you can: Transcendent (passive) gives you Splinters of Wrath for every level and every hit, and each threshold upgrades one of your spells.
- Set up spheres before your ult
Place several spheres before Unleashed Power (R): the ult launches the 3 orbiting you at your target, plus up to 4 more nearby.
Playing against Katarina
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay away from her daggers
Stay away from her daggers on the ground: when she picks one up, Voracity (passive) hits every nearby enemy, and Shunpo (E) lets her blink to it.
- Trade after her Shunpo
Trade right after Shunpo (E): it's her only blink, and it has a 12 to 8 second cooldown, less if she picks up a dagger.
- Save your CC for her Lotus
If you have CC, save it for Death Lotus (R): it's a channel, and interrupting it stops its damage.
- Don't count on your healing
Don't count on your healing during Death Lotus (R): each knife applies Grievous Wounds, which reduces healing received.
Other Syndra matchups
Patch 16.21.1