Tahm Kench vs Braum
Build vs Braum
The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup
Recommended items for Tahm Kench: Heartsteel, Dusk and Dawn, Thornmail, Plated Steelcaps, Spirit Visage, Unending Despair, Randuin's Omen, Riftmaker.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Braum's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Braum's basic attacks apply Concussive Blows. Once the first stack is applied, ally basic attacks also stack Concussive Blows. Upon reaching 4 stacks, the target is stunned and takes magic damage. For the next few seconds they cannot receive new stacks, but take bonus magic damage from Braum's attacks.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8s | 12s | 16s | – |
| 6 | 7s | 12s | 16s | 2m10 |
| 9 | 6s | 11s | 16s | 2m10 |
| 11 | 6s | 10s | 16s | 1m55 |
| 16 | 6s | 8s | 12s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 6s | 8s | 8s | 1m40 |
Playing as Tahm Kench
Tips to maximize your impact
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Braum
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Back off before the 4th stack
Back off when you have Concussive Blows (passive) stacks on you: his allies' autos add stacks too, and the 4th stuns you.
- Isolate him from his allies
Catch him when he's far from his allies: Stand Behind Me (W) only leaps to an ally, minions included, and without one nearby he has no dash.
- Don't shoot into his shield
Don't shoot into Unbreakable (E): it intercepts your projectiles. Go around it, use AoE spells, or wait for him to lower his shield.
- Stay out of his fissure's line
Don't line up with your allies in front of him when he has Glacial Fissure (R): it hits every enemy along its line and around him with a knock-up.
Other Tahm Kench matchups
Patch 16.21.1