Matchup

Heavy AD damageHigh sustainDive threatHigh burst

You are stronger early — look to snowball before your opponent scales.

Build vs Kayn

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Blade
Health Potion

Core build

Ravenous Hydra
1DPS
Navori Flickerblade
2DPS
Mortal Reminder
3vs Hybride

Standard

Berserker's Greaves
4AS
Infinity Edge
5DPS

Summoner spells

41482%
469%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Death's Dance
5vs AD
Guardian Angel
vs AD

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Mercurial Scimitar
5vs AP

Anti Tank

Profane Hydra
5vs Tank
The Collector
vs Tank
Lord Dominik's Regards
vs Tank
Serylda's Grudge
vs Tank
Voltaic Cyclosword
vs Tank

DPS

Infinity Edge
DPS
Essence Reaver
DPS
Phantom Dancer
DPS
Blade of The Ruined King
DPS
Endless Hunger
DPS
Hullbreaker
Bruiser
Yun Tal Wildarrows
DPS
100.0% WR3 games
DominationDomination
Hail of BladesHail of Blades
Sudden ImpactSudden Impact
Grisly MementosGrisly Mementos
Treasure HunterTreasure Hunter
PrecisionPrecision
Last StandLast Stand
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
TryndamereTryndamere
KaynKayn
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral

Kayn's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

The Darkin Scythe (P)

Kayn wields an ancient weapon and fights Rhaast, the darkin within it, for control. Either the Darkin will triumph, or Kayn will master Rhaast and become the Shadow Assassin.Darkin: Heal for a percentage of spell damage dealt to champions.Shadow Assassin: For the first few seconds in combat with enemy champions, deal bonus damage.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
37s13s21s
66s13s21s2m
95s12s21s2m
115s11s21s1m40
165s9s17s1m20
185s9s13s1m20

Playing against Kayn

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Ward beyond walls: Kayn passes through walls with his E, classic river wards aren't enough.

2

Blue form (assassin) is squishy: a CC kills him quickly. Red form (Rhaast) has sustain: Grievous Wounds is mandatory.

3

His R makes him untouchable — don't waste abilities when he's inside an ally.

4

Before his transformation, Kayn is relatively weak — invade his jungle early to delay his transformation.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026