Vi vs Kayn
Skill matchup
Build vs Kayn
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Vi: Trinity Force, Black Cleaver, Death's Dance, Plated Steelcaps, The Collector, Sundered Sky, Eclipse, Guardian Angel.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Kayn's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 13s | 21s | – |
| 6 | 6s | 13s | 21s | 2m |
| 9 | 5s | 12s | 21s | 2m |
| 11 | 5s | 11s | 21s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 5s | 9s | 17s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 5s | 9s | 13s | 1m20 |
Playing as Vi
Tips to maximize your impact
- A spell to trigger your shield
Hit an enemy with a spell to activate Blast Shield (passive): it charges over time, and every third hit on a target lowers its cooldown.
- Three hits on the same target
Hit the same target three times: Denting Blows (W) adds damage based on their max health, removes some of their armor and gives you attack speed.
- Hit through minions
Cast Relentless Force (E) on a minion in front of your opponent: the shockwave also hits enemies behind the target, with full damage.
- Charge Vault Breaker out of sight
Charge Vault Breaker (Q) out of sight before you show up: fully charged, it deals double damage, and it stops on the first champion hit to knock them back.
- Go get their carry
Cast Cease and Desist (R) on their carry: you're unstoppable during the charge, and enemies in your way are stunned. Don't stray too far from your team.
Playing against Kayn
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Dodge his Blade's Reach
Dodge Blade's Reach (W): Umbral Trespass (R) can only target a champion he just damaged, and this ranged hit is how he marks you from range.
- Save your CC for his E
If you have CC, land it during Shadow Step (E): once immobilized, he loses the spell and can't move through walls anymore.
- Save your spells for his exit
Don't cast your spells during Umbral Trespass (R): hidden inside your ally, he's untargetable. Save them for when he bursts out.
- Ward your jungle too
Ward your jungle too, not just the river: Shadow Step (E) lets him go through walls and show up from unexpected paths.
- Pressure him before he transforms
Pressure him before his transformation: until he picks Rhaast or Shadow Assassin, The Darkin Scythe (passive) gives him no healing or bonus damage.
Patch 16.21.1