Xayah vs Kai'Sa
Skill matchup
Build vs Kai'Sa
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, Mortal Reminder.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Kai'Sa's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Kai'Sa's basic attacks stack Plasma, dealing increasing bonus magic damage. Allies' immobilizing effects help stack Plasma. Additionally, Kai'Sa's item purchases upgrade her basic spells to have more powerful properties.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 20s | 16s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 20s | 16s | 2m10 |
| 9 | 6s | 18.5s | 16s | 2m10 |
| 11 | 6s | 17s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 6s | 14s | 13s | 1m10 |
| 18 | 6s | 14s | 10s | 1m10 |
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 Kai'Sa
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay near your minions
Stay near your minions: Icathian Rain (Q) splits its missiles between nearby enemies, and on your own, you take them all.
- Harass her before she evolves
If your attack range beats her 525 units, harass her early: Second Skin (passive) only evolves her spells as she buys items.
- Dodge her Void Seeker
Dodge Void Seeker (W): it marks you with Plasma and reveals you, which lets Killer Instinct (R) dash onto you from very far away.
Other Xayah matchups
Patch 16.21.1