Ahri is a safe, mobile burst mage. E charm sets up her full combo, Q deals true damage on return, and R gives 3 dashes for repositioning. She's the jack-of-all-trades mid laner.
Abilities
Skills Overview
P
Essence Theft
Passive
After killing 9 minions or monsters, Ahri heals.After taking down an enemy champion, Ahri heals for a greater amount.
Essence Theft: killing minions with abilities heals you. Q through the wave for sustain.
Q
Orb of Deception
Skillshot · AoE · True Damage Return
Ahri sends out and pulls back her orb, dealing magic damage on the way out and true damage on the way back.
CD: 7 · Cost: 55/65/75/85/95
Q deals magic damage going out and TRUE damage coming back. Position so both halves hit.
W
Fox-Fire
Auto-Target · AoE
Ahri gains a brief burst of Move Speed and releases three fox-fires, that lock onto and attack nearby enemies.
CD: 9/8/7/6/5 · Cost: 30
W auto-targets nearby enemies. Foxfires prioritize charmed targets.
E
Charm
Skillshot · Charm · CC
Ahri blows a kiss that damages and charms an enemy it encounters, instantly stopping movement abilities and causing them to walk harmlessly towards her.
CD: 12 · Cost: 60
E is a charm — the ONLY hard CC in your kit. Landing E wins trades. Missing E loses them.
R
Spirit Rush
Triple Dash · Burst
Ahri dashes forward and fires essence bolts, damaging nearby enemies. Spirit Rush can be cast up to three times before going on cooldown, and gains additional recasts when taking down enemy champions.
CD: 140/120/100 · Cost: 100
R gives 3 dashes over 10 seconds. Each dash fires foxfire bolts. Use for engage, reposition, or escape.
Skill Leveling Order — Max Q first, then W, then E · R at 6 / 11 / 16
| Level | Q | W | E | R | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Take Q | ||||
| 2 | Take E — charm | ||||
| 3 | Take W | ||||
| 4 | Level Q | ||||
| 5 | Level Q | ||||
| 6 | R — Spirit Rush | ||||
| 7 | Level Q | ||||
| 8 | Level W | ||||
| 9 | Q maxed ✓ | ||||
| 10 | Level W | ||||
| 11 | R rank 2 | ||||
| 12 | Level W | ||||
| 13 | Level W | ||||
| 14 | W maxed ✓ | ||||
| 15 | Level E | ||||
| 16 | R rank 3 | ||||
| 17 | Level E | ||||
| 18 | E maxed ✓ |
Itemization
Recommended Builds
Core Build
Hextech Rocketbelt
Dash + magic pen. R + Rocketbelt = 4 dashes.
2600g
Sorcerer's Shoes
Magic pen.
1100g
Rabadon's Deathcap
AP multiplier for burst.
3600g
Void Staff
40% magic pen.
2800g
Situational
Zhonya's Hourglass
Stasis for safety.
3250g
Banshee's Veil
Spell shield.
2600g
Lich Bane
Burst after E charm.
3000g
Rocketbelt → Deathcap → Void Staff. E charm → full combo one-shots squishies.
Runes
Domination Primary
Electrocute
E + Q + W procs instantly.
Taste of Blood
Lane sustain.
Eyeball Collection
Free AP.
Ultimate Hunter
Lower R cooldown.
Inspiration Secondary
Magical Footwear
Free boots.
Cosmic Insight
Item CDR.
Shards
Adaptive Force · Adaptive Force · Health
Gameplay
How to Play Ahri
01
Early Game
Q Farm, E Charm Trades
- Q through the wave for CS + passive healing.
- E charm is your trading tool. Land it → Q + W = half HP.
- Don't waste E. It's your only CC and escape setup.
- Push wave with Q, then roam with R.
- Play safe until level 3. Your combo is online at Q + W + E.
02
Mid Game
Roam with R, Pick with E
- R gives insane roam potential. Push wave → R through river → gank.
- E → Q → W → Rocketbelt → R = one-shot combo on squishies.
- R has 3 charges over 10 seconds. Use 1 to engage, save 2 for escape.
- Pick isolated targets with E charm from fog of war.
- Zhonya's after R dive for safe plays.
03
Late Game
Charm → One-Shot Combo
- E charm on the enemy carry = instant kill with full combo.
- R repositioning makes you the hardest mage to catch.
- Q true damage on return chunks even tanks.
- Flank from the side for surprise E charm.
- 3 R dashes + Flash + Rocketbelt = 5 movement abilities. Untouchable.
Teamfighting
How to Teamfight as Ahri
Ahri flanks with R, charms the carry, and one-shots them before dashing out.
1
Flank — R Dash In
Positioning
01
R from the side or behind.
02
E charm the priority target.
03
Q + W for burst.
Don't blow all 3 R charges engaging. Save at least 1 for escape.
2
Burst — Full Combo
One-shot
01
E charm → Q (true damage return) → W → Rocketbelt.
02
Electrocute procs for extra burst.
03
Target is dead in 1 second.
3
Escape — R Out
Safety
01
R dash to safety.
02
Zhonya's if threatened.
03
Look for another E charm opportunity.
E + Flash redirects charm mid-cast for a surprise angle. The fastest engage in mid lane.
Tips & Tricks
Advanced Mechanics & Hidden Tech
Advanced mechanics for Ahri.
Basic
E is Everything
Landing E charm wins the trade. Missing it means you have no kill pressure. Practice charm accuracy.
Intermediate
Q True Damage
Q deals magic damage going out and TRUE damage returning. Position so both halves hit the champion.
Basic
R Charges
R gives 3 dashes over 10 seconds. Don't use all 3 aggressively — save 1-2 for escape.
Advanced
E + Flash
Cast E then Flash to redirect the charm angle. Enemies can't react fast enough.
Basic
Passive Healing
Killing minions with abilities heals you. Q through the wave for free sustain.
Intermediate
Roaming
Push wave with Q, then R through river to gank side lanes. Your roam is one of the best.
Matchups
Counters & Matchups
Ahri struggles against champions who outrange her charm and assassins who burst faster. She excels against immobile mages she can charm.
Click any matchup to expand tips & how to play against them
Loses Against
Syndra outranges you and bursts before you can charm.
Dodge her Q poke. All-in at 6 with R.
Zed's burst is faster than yours and he dodges charm with W/R.
Save E for when he R's onto you. Charm him mid-animation.
Windwall blocks E charm and Q.
Bait windwall, then all-in when it's down.
Wins Against
Veigar is immobile. E charm lands freely.
Charm → full combo. He can't escape.
You outrange Annie and R dodges her burst.
Poke with Q. R away from her R stun.
You can roam freely while he pushes. R dodges his R.
Push and roam. He can't follow.