Tahm Kench vs Alistar

Tahm Kench
vs
Not enough games
Alistar
Strong engageHeavy AP damageHeavy CCVery tanky

Build vs Alistar

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

Recommended items for Tahm Kench: Heartsteel, Dusk and Dawn, Thornmail, Boots of Swiftness, Spirit Visage, Unending Despair, Randuin's Omen, Riftmaker.

Starting items

Doran's Helm
Health Potion

Core build

Heartsteel
1
Dusk and Dawn
2
Thornmail
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Spirit Visage
5

Summoner spells

FlashDot100%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Spirit Visage
Unending Despair
Randuin's Omen
Riftmaker
Force of Nature
ResolveResolve
Grasp of the UndyingGrasp of the Undying
Shield BashShield Bash
Second WindSecond Wind
UnflinchingUnflinching
PrecisionPrecision
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
TriumphTriumph
Attack SpeedHealth ScalingHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Alistar's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Triumphant Roar (P)

Alistar charges his roar by stunning or displacing enemy champions or when nearby enemies die. When fully charged he heals himself all nearby allied champions.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
314s14s12s–
612s14s12s2m
910s13s12s2m
1110s12s12s1m40
1610s10s11s1m20
1810s10s10s1m20

Playing as Tahm Kench

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Three stacks, then your tongue

    Stack An Acquired Taste (passive) three times on your target, then hit them with Tongue Lash (Q): they're stunned, and the stacks are consumed.

  2. Save Thick Skin for a burst

    Only activate Thick Skin (E) to absorb a burst: otherwise, part of the damage it stores comes back to you as health once you stop taking damage.

  3. Engage with your dive

    Engage with Abyssal Dive (W): you reappear at the target location, 1000 to 1200 range away, and hitting a champion reduces its cooldown.

  4. Swallow your carry to save them

    Swallow your carry in danger with Devour (R): they come out with a shield, and you can take them to safety with Abyssal Dive (W).

Playing against Alistar

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Trade after his Headbutt

    Take a trade right after his Headbutt (W): without it, he can't engage from range, and its cooldown is 14 to 10 seconds.

  2. Watch who can follow him

    Back off when his carry is close enough to follow him, and play hard when they're far away: an Alistar engage only kills if someone follows up.

  3. Respect his level 2

    Once he hits level 2, stay out of Headbutt (W) range: combined with Pulverize (Q), he knocks you into the air as soon as he arrives.

  4. Save your CC for after his R

    If you have CC, save it for after Unbreakable Will (R): the spell removes the CC on him when cast, but doesn't protect him from what comes next.

Patch 16.21.1