Taliyah vs Graves
Favorable matchup
You are stronger early. Look to snowball before your opponent scales.
Build vs Graves
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Taliyah: Blackfire Torch, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Rabadon's Deathcap, Dark Seal, Luden's Echo, Void Staff.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Graves's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Graves' shotgun has some unique properties. He must reload when he runs out of ammo. Attacks fire 4 bullets, which cannot pass through units. Non-champions struck by multiple bullets are knocked back.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 13s | 26s | 16s | – |
| 6 | 9.5s | 26s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 6s | 24s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 6s | 22s | 16s | 1m20 |
| 16 | 6s | 18s | 14s | 1m |
| 18 | 6s | 18s | 12s | 1m |
Playing as Taliyah
Tips to maximize your impact
- Throw them into your minefield
Place Unraveled Earth (E), then throw the enemy across the stones with Seismic Shove (W): the stones explode and stun them.
- Pick your volley based on the ground
Cast Threaded Volley (Q) off Worked Ground to throw 5 rocks, or on it for a single boulder that slows, costs less and has a shorter cooldown.
- Cut off their retreat with your wall
Place Weaver's Wall (R) across the enemy's path to cut off their escape or split their team: its range goes from 2500 to 6500 with rank.
- Roam along the walls
To roam, follow the walls of the map: Rock Surfing (passive) increases your move speed when you're near them.
Playing against Graves
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Keep units between you and him
Stay behind your minions or your frontline: the 4 bullets of each New Destiny (passive) auto can't pass through units.
- Hit him from outside his range
If you're ranged, hit him from a distance: his autos only reach 425, and New Destiny (passive) forces him to reload when his shotgun is empty.
- Get out of his smoke
Leave Smoke Screen (W) quickly rather than fighting inside it: the smoke slows you and cuts off all vision outside it.
- Drag the game out
If your team scales better over time, play for time: Graves is strongest in the early and mid game.
Other Taliyah matchups
Patch 16.21.1