Xayah vs Jhin
Skill matchup
You are stronger early. Look to snowball before your opponent scales.
Build vs Jhin
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Xayah: Yun Tal Wildarrows, Navori Flickerblade, Infinity Edge, Berserker's Greaves, Lord Dominik's Regards, B. F. Sword, Essence Reaver, Guardian Angel.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Jhin's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Jhin's hand cannon, Whisper, is a precise instrument designed to deal superior damage. It fires at a fixed rate and carries only four shots. Jhin imbues the final bullet with dark magics to critically strike and deal bonus execute damage. Whenever Whisper crits, it inspires Jhin with a burst of Move Speed.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 12s | 2s | – |
| 6 | 6s | 12s | 2s | 2m |
| 9 | 5s | 12s | 2s | 2m |
| 11 | 5s | 12s | 2s | 1m45 |
| 16 | 5s | 12s | 2s | 1m30 |
| 18 | 5s | 12s | 2s | 1m30 |
Playing as Xayah
Tips to maximize your impact
- A spell, then autos for feathers
Cast a spell before your autos: with Clean Cuts (passive), they pass through every target in their path and each leave a feather to call back.
- Deadly Plumage before the trade
Activate Deadly Plumage (W) before a trade: you gain attack speed, each auto fires a second blade, and hitting a champion makes you faster.
- Pull your feathers through your target
Position yourself so that Bladecaller (E) pulls your feathers back through your target: at least 3 feathers have to hit them to root them.
- Dodge with your ult, then call back
Cast Featherstorm (R) to dodge a decisive spell: you're untargetable for 1.5 seconds, then you leave a line of feathers to call back with Bladecaller (E).
Playing against Jhin
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Trade while he reloads
Trade right after his 4th shot: Whisper (passive) then has to reload, and only his spells can hit you while he does.
- Respect his W after a hit
After Jhin or his allies hit you, step out of the line of Deadly Flourish (W): it roots you if you were damaged in the last 4 seconds, and it has huge range.
- Punish his lack of mobility
If you can engage, go for him when his support walks away: with no dash or leap, Jhin can only back off on foot.
- Interrupt his ult
During Curtain Call (R), he stays in place to channel: if you have CC, interrupt him, otherwise flank him.
Other Xayah matchups
Patch 16.21.1