Tahm Kench vs Braum

Tahm Kench
vs
Not enough games
Braum
Very tankyHeavy AP damageHeavy CCStrong engage

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

Doran's Shield
Health Potion

Core build

Heartsteel
1
Dusk and Dawn
2
Thornmail
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Spirit Visage
5

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Spirit Visage
Unending Despair
Randuin's Omen
Riftmaker
Force of Nature

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Braum's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Concussive Blows (P)

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

LevelQWER
38s12s16s–
67s12s16s2m10
96s11s16s2m10
116s10s16s1m55
166s8s12s1m40
186s8s8s1m40

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 Braum

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

Patch 16.21.1