Xin Zhao vs Kayn

Xin Zhao
vs
52.7%

over 148 games

Kayn

Skill matchup

Heavy AD damageHigh burstHigh sustainDive threat

You are stronger early. Look to snowball before your opponent scales.

Build vs Kayn

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Xin Zhao: Titanic Hydra, Black Cleaver, Death's Dance, Plated Steelcaps, Sundered Sky, Guardian Angel, Dusk and Dawn, Statikk Shiv.

Starting items

Gustwalker Hatchling
Health Potion

Core build

Titanic Hydra
1
Black Cleaver
2
Death's Dance
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Sundered Sky
5

Summoner spells

FlashSmite100%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Sundered Sky
Guardian Angel
Dusk and Dawn
Statikk Shiv
B. F. Sword
Maw of Malmortius
Mortal Reminder
Stridebreaker
Spirit Visage
Eclipse
The Collector
Executioner's Calling
Sterak's Gage
Youmuu's Ghostblade
Immortal Shieldbow
Phantom Dancer
66.7% WR33 games
PrecisionPrecision
ConquerorConqueror
TriumphTriumph
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
Coup de GraceCoup de Grace
InspirationInspiration
Magical FootwearMagical Footwear
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Kayn's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

The Darkin Scythe (P)

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

LevelQWER
37s13s21s–
66s13s21s2m
95s12s21s2m
115s11s21s1m40
165s9s17s1m20
185s9s13s1m20

Playing as Xin Zhao

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Land your three hits

    After Three Talon Strike (Q), land your three autos: the third one is a knock-up, and each one lowers your other spells' cooldowns by 1 second.

  2. Thrust first, charge second

    Land the thrust of Wind Becomes Lightning (W) before Audacious Charge (E): the Challenged target is revealed, and your charge reaches farther on them.

  3. Isolate your target with your ult

    Hit your target right before Crescent Guard (R): Challenged, they stay with you while the others are knocked back, and damage from outside can't reach you for a moment.

  4. Get ahead early

    Gank and skirmish as much as you can early on: Audacious Charge (E) and the Three Talon Strike (Q) knock-up matter most before everyone has their items.

Playing against Kayn

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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