Matchup
Build vs Alistar
Build adapted to this matchup
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
50%
38%Anti AD
Anti Tank
DPS
Precision
Press the Attack
Triumph
Legend: Alacrity
Last Stand
Resolve
Overgrowth
Bone Plating
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Varus
AlistarAlistar'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 against Alistar
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
Respect his level 2 (W+Q): it's one of the strongest engages in the game at that point. Stay at range.
His WQ combo has a long cooldown (~14s) — punish him aggressively after he uses it.
Alistar is useless if his ADC isn't there to follow up — provoke engages when the enemy ADC is busy farming.
His R reduces damage but not CC — keep CC-ing him even during his ult.
Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026