Diana is an AP diver. Q marks → E dash (resets on mark) → R pulls everyone together. She's simple but her R teamfight impact is massive. Think of her as AP Malphite.
Abilities
Skills Overview
P
Moonsilver Blade
Passive
Every third strike cleaves nearby enemies for an additional magic damage. After casting a spell, Diana gains Attack Speed for 5 seconds.
Cleaving Strike: every 3rd auto deals bonus AoE magic damage. Weave autos between abilities.
Q
Crescent Strike
Skillshot · Arc · Mark
Unleashes a bolt of lunar energy in an arc dealing magic damage.Afflicts enemies struck with Moonlight, revealing them if they are not stealthed for 3 seconds.
CD: 8/7.5/7/6.5/6 · Cost: 50
Q fires a crescent that marks enemies. E to a marked enemy RESETS E cooldown.
W
Pale Cascade
Shield · Orbs
Diana creates three orbiting spheres that detonate on contact with enemies to deal damage in an area. She also gains a temporary shield that absorbs damage. If her third sphere detonates, the shield gains additional strength.
CD: 15/13.5/12/10.5/9 · Cost: 40/45/50/55/60
W gives shield + 3 orbiting orbs that deal damage. Shield refreshes if all 3 orbs hit.
E
Lunar Rush
Dash · Reset on Marked
Becomes the living embodiment of the vengeful moon, dashing to an enemy and dealing magic damage.Lunar Rush has no cooldown when used to dash to an enemy afflicted with Moonlight. All other enemies will have the Moonlight debuff removed regardless of whether they were the target of Lunar Rush.
CD: 22/20/18/16/14 · Cost: 40/45/50/55/60
E dashes to an enemy. If they're marked by Q, E cooldown RESETS. Q → E → E is your gap-close.
R
Moonfall
AoE · Pull · Slow
Diana reveals and draws in all nearby enemies and slows them.If Diana pulls in one or more enemy champions, the moonlight crashes down onto her after a short delay, dealing magic damage in an area around her, increased for each target beyond the first pulled.
CD: 100/90/80 · Cost: 100
R pulls all nearby enemies toward you and slows them. The closer they are, the more damage. Group them for your team.
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 W — shield | ||||
| 3 | Take E — dash | ||||
| 4 | Level Q | ||||
| 5 | Level Q | ||||
| 6 | R — Moonfall | ||||
| 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 for dive.
2600g
Sorcerer's Shoes
Magic pen.
1100g
Zhonya's Hourglass
Stasis after R dive.
3250g
Rabadon's Deathcap
AP multiplier.
3600g
Situational
Void Staff
Magic pen.
2800g
Banshee's Veil
Spell shield.
2600g
Nashor's Tooth
AS for passive procs.
3000g
Rocketbelt → Zhonya's → Deathcap. Dive with R → Zhonya's while team follows up.
Runes
Domination Primary
Electrocute
Q + E + auto procs instantly.
Sudden Impact
Magic pen after E dash.
Eyeball Collection
Free AP.
Ultimate Hunter
Lower R cooldown.
Resolve Secondary
Bone Plating
Survive burst.
Overgrowth
Bonus HP.
Shards
Adaptive Force · Adaptive Force · Health
Gameplay
How to Play Diana
01
Early Game
Q Mark → E Dash Trades
- Q → E trade. Q marks → E dash to marked target → E resets → E again.
- W shield absorbs trades. Activate before engaging.
- Farm with Q arc. It curves — practice the trajectory.
- E without Q mark doesn't reset. Always Q first.
- Play safe until 6. Your burst is locked behind R.
02
Mid Game
R Dive Teamfights
- R pulls all enemies together. Rocketbelt → R → Zhonya's wins teamfights.
- Q → E → E → R → W → Zhonya's is your full combo.
- R does more damage the more enemies are near. Group them.
- Zhonya's after R dive. Your team follows up while you're in stasis.
- Roam with Q → E → E for fast gap-closing.
03
Late Game
AP Malphite
- R on 3+ enemies wins the fight instantly. You're AP Malphite.
- Flash → R for surprise AoE pull.
- Zhonya's + R = invulnerable while enemies are pulled together.
- W shield + Zhonya's makes you surprisingly durable for an assassin.
- Position to flank for surprise R on the backline.
Teamfighting
How to Teamfight as Diana
Diana R pulls the enemy team together. Zhonya's while your team follows up. AP Malphite.
1
Engage — Q → E → E → R
Dive in
01
Q to mark a target.
02
E dash (resets on mark).
03
R pull all nearby enemies together.
Don't R on 1 enemy. Wait for 3+ grouped targets. R damage scales with targets pulled.
2
Survive — Zhonya's
Stasis
01
Zhonya's immediately after R.
02
Enemies are pulled together — your team AoEs them.
03
W shield absorbs damage before stasis.
3
Cleanup — Auto + Q
After stasis
01
Continue fighting after Zhonya's ends.
02
Passive 3rd auto for AoE damage.
03
Q → E for chasing.
Diana R + Yasuo R is one of the strongest wombo combos. R pulls and knocks up → Yasuo R on everyone.
Tips & Tricks
Advanced Mechanics & Hidden Tech
Advanced mechanics for Diana.
Basic
Q → E Reset
E resets when you dash to a Q-marked target. ALWAYS Q first, then E. Without Q mark, E doesn't reset.
Intermediate
R Grouping
R pulls all nearby enemies toward you. More enemies = more damage. Wait for 3+ targets.
Basic
W Before Dive
W shield absorbs damage. Activate it before diving with E + R.
Advanced
Flash → R
Flash → R for surprise AoE pull. Enemies can't react.
Basic
Zhonya's After R
R → Zhonya's. You're in stasis while enemies are pulled together for your team.
Intermediate
Passive AoE
Every 3rd auto deals bonus AoE damage. Weave autos between abilities.
Matchups
Counters & Matchups
Diana struggles against poke mages who harass before she can dive and champions who disengage her R. She excels against immobile mages she can Q → E → R.
Click any matchup to expand tips & how to play against them
Loses Against
Anivia wall blocks your E dash and she outranges you.
Roam instead of fighting Anivia.
Viktor zones you out with W and outranges.
Wait for Viktor W cooldown, then engage.
Syndra pushes you away with E when you dive.
Bait her E, then Q → E → R.
Wins Against
You dash through his cage with E.
Q → E through cage → R him.
TF is squishy and immobile.
Q → E → R. Dead instantly.
You E through her Q and burst her.
Dodge Q with E dash, then all-in.