Viego vs Kayn
Skill matchup
Build vs Kayn
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Viego: Kraken Slayer, The Collector, Immortal Shieldbow, Plated Steelcaps, Lord Dominik's Regards, Infinity Edge, Hubris, Mortal Reminder.
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 Viego
Tips to maximize your impact
- An auto after each spell
Weave in an auto after each spell: thanks to Blade of the Ruined King (Q), your first attack on an enemy damaged by an ability strikes twice and heals you.
- Fully charge Spectral Maw
Charge Spectral Maw (W) when you have time: the longer the charge, the longer the first enemy hit stays stunned, but you're slowed in the meantime.
- Strike from the Mist
Cast Harrowed Path (E) on a wall near your target: inside the Mist, you're camouflaged and gain move speed and attack speed.
- Hit the wraith to possess the champion
After a kill, hit the wraith to trigger Sovereign's Domination (passive): you restore health and take their basic spells and items, but not their ult.
- Finish with Heartbreaker
Cast Heartbreaker (R) to finish: you leave the possessed body and strike the champion with the lowest health percentage, with damage based on their missing health.
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.
Other Viego matchups
Patch 16.21.1