Vi vs Sylas
Skill matchup
Build vs Sylas
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Vi: Trinity Force, Black Cleaver, Death's Dance, Mercury's Treads, The Collector, Guardian Angel, Eclipse, Sundered Sky.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Sylas's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
After casting a spell, Sylas stores a charge of Petricite Burst. Sylas's basic attacks will expend a charge and whirl his energized chains around him dealing bonus magic damage to enemies hit. While Sylas has a charge of Petricite Burst, he gains attack speed.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 12s | 13s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 12s | 13s | 1m20 |
| 9 | 6s | 10.5s | 13s | 1m20 |
| 11 | 6s | 9s | 13s | 55s |
| 16 | 6s | 6s | 11s | 30s |
| 18 | 6s | 6s | 9s | 30s |
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 Sylas
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Keep minions between his chain and you
Stay behind your minions after his Abscond (E): the Abduct (E) chain pulls him to the first enemy hit, and only that one takes the knock-up.
- Don't trust his low health
Don't go all-in just because his health is low: Kingslayer (W) heals him more as he loses health.
- Back off after each of his spells
Get out of his range as soon as he casts a spell: each spell charges Petricite Burst (passive), and his next auto hits around him with bonus magic damage.
- Fight when he can't steal from you
Take the fight when Hijack (R) is on cooldown: he then can't copy your ult and turn it against your team.
Patch 16.21.1