Taric vs Alistar
Skill matchup
You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.
Build vs Alistar
The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup
Recommended items for Taric: Tear of the Goddess, Locket of the Iron Solari, Fimbulwinter, Plated Steelcaps, Knight's Vow, Dream Maker, Celestial Opposition, Solstice Sleigh.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Alistar's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 14s | 14s | 12s | – |
| 6 | 12s | 14s | 12s | 2m |
| 9 | 10s | 13s | 12s | 2m |
| 11 | 10s | 12s | 12s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 10s | 10s | 11s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 10s | 10s | 10s | 1m20 |
Playing as Taric
Tips to maximize your impact
- Two autos after each spell
Weave in two autos after each spell: Bravado (passive) empowers them with bonus magic damage, and each one lowers your cooldowns.
- A second angle with your bound ally
Bind to an ally with Bastion (W): while they stay close, all your spells also cast from them, Dazzle (E) included, which gives you a second stun angle.
- Heal with all your charges
Cast Starlight's Touch (Q) when its charges are full: it consumes them all to heal nearby allies, for the same 60 mana cost.
- Cast your ult before the burst
Cast Cosmic Radiance (R) as soon as the teamfight is coming, not at the last moment: the invulnerability only kicks in after a delay, and only for nearby allies.
Playing against Alistar
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Other Taric matchups
Patch 16.21.1