Kai'Sa is a burst ADC/assassin hybrid. Her abilities evolve with stats (Q at 100 AD, E at 100% AS, W at 100 AP), and her R lets her dive the backline like an assassin while still dealing ADC DPS.
Abilities
Skills Overview
P
Second Skin
Passive
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.
Second Skin: 5 passive stacks on an enemy = bonus %missing HP magic damage burst. Allies also apply stacks.
Q
Icathian Rain
AoE · Missiles · Isolation
Kai'Sa shoots a swarm of missiles that seek out nearby targets.Living Weapon: Icathian Rain is upgraded to shoot more missiles.
CD: 10/9/8/7/6 · Cost: 55
Q fires missiles at all nearby enemies. If only ONE enemy is in range, all missiles hit them = massive damage.
W
Void Seeker
Skillshot · Long Range · %HP
Kai'Sa shoots a long range missile, marking enemies with her passive.Living Weapon: Void Seeker is upgraded to apply more passive marks and reduce cooldown on champion hit.
CD: 22/20/18/16/14 · Cost: 55/60/65/70/75
W is a long-range %HP skillshot. Evolved W applies 2 passive stacks and refunds CD on hit.
E
Supercharge
AS Steroid · Invis (evolved)
Kai'Sa briefly increases her Move Speed, then increases her Attack Speed.Living Weapon: Supercharge is upgraded to briefly grant Invisibility.
CD: 16/14.5/13/11.5/10 · Cost: 30
E gives AS and MS. Evolved E grants invisibility during cast — outplay tool.
R
Killer Instinct
Dash · Shield · Reposition
Kai'Sa dashes near an enemy champion.
CD: 130/100/70 · Cost: 100
R dashes to a location near an enemy with passive stacks. Gives a massive shield. Use to reposition in fights.
Skill Leveling Order — Max Q first, then E, then W · R at 6 / 11 / 16
| Level | Q | W | E | R | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Take Q — missiles | ||||
| 2 | Take E — AS | ||||
| 3 | Take W — poke | ||||
| 4 | Level Q | ||||
| 5 | Level Q | ||||
| 6 | R — Killer Instinct | ||||
| 7 | Level Q | ||||
| 8 | Level E | ||||
| 9 | Q maxed ✓ | ||||
| 10 | Level E | ||||
| 11 | R rank 2 | ||||
| 12 | Level E | ||||
| 13 | Level E | ||||
| 14 | E maxed ✓ | ||||
| 15 | Level W | ||||
| 16 | R rank 3 | ||||
| 17 | Level W | ||||
| 18 | W maxed ✓ |
Itemization
Recommended Builds
Core Build
Kraken Slayer
True damage. Evolves Q with enough AD.
3100g
Berserker's Greaves
AS for E evolve.
1100g
Phantom Dancer
AS for E evolve + kiting MS.
2600g
Infinity Edge
Crit multiplier for burst.
3400g
Situational
Nashor's Tooth
AP + AS for W evolve (AP build).
3000g
Lord Dominik's Regards
Armor pen.
2900g
Guardian Angel
Revive after R dive.
3200g
Kraken → PD → IE. Q evolve at Kraken + Pickaxe. E evolve at 2 items.
Runes
Precision Primary
Press the Attack
3 autos expose. Synergizes with passive stacks for burst.
Triumph
Heal on takedown.
Legend: Alacrity
AS for E evolve.
Coup de Grace
Execute synergy with passive %missing HP.
Domination Secondary
Taste of Blood
Lane sustain.
Treasure Hunter
Gold for faster evolves.
Shards
Attack Speed · Adaptive Force · Health
Gameplay
How to Play Kai'Sa
01
Early Game
Farm to Q Evolve
- Farm to Kraken + Pickaxe for Q evolve. This is your first big spike.
- Isolated Q (only 1 target in range) deals massive damage. Trade when enemy is away from minions.
- Passive stacks with ally CC. Support stun + your autos = passive proc burst.
- E gives AS for fast trades. Use it before all-ins.
- Play safe until Q evolve. Your power is locked behind item thresholds.
02
Mid Game
Evolved Q + R Dive
- Evolved Q fires more missiles and clears waves instantly.
- R into the enemy backline after your team engages. Shield keeps you alive.
- Evolved E gives invisibility. E → invis → reposition → burst.
- W poke from long range. Evolved W applies 2 passive stacks — R on the marked target.
- R has a massive shield. Use it aggressively to dive or defensively to dodge abilities.
03
Late Game
Full Evolved Hypercarry
- Full evolved Kai'Sa is one of the strongest late-game ADCs.
- E invis → R dive → isolated Q = assassination combo.
- W snipe from long range procs passive stacks. R in for the kill.
- You're both an ADC and an assassin. Flex between both playstyles based on the fight.
- R shield + E invis makes you deceptively hard to kill for a carry.
Teamfighting
How to Teamfight as Kai'Sa
Kai'Sa plays two roles: ADC from the backline or assassin diving with R. Read the fight and choose.
1
Poke — W Long Range
Before fight
01
W for long-range %HP damage.
02
Evolved W applies 2 passive stacks.
03
R is available on marked (stacked) targets.
Don't R into 5 people. Wait for CC to be used and the fight to break apart.
2
Dive — R Reposition
Assassination
01
R behind the enemy carry. Shield on arrival.
02
Isolated Q for max damage.
03
E invis to reposition if needed.
3
DPS — Auto Attack
Sustained damage
01
Auto-attack from safety after burst.
02
Passive %HP procs chunk tanks.
03
E AS steroid for maximum DPS.
W from fog → R in on the stacked target. This is your assassination combo. W applies 2 stacks, R shields you on arrival, isolated Q finishes.
Tips & Tricks
Advanced Mechanics & Hidden Tech
Advanced mechanics for Kai'Sa.
Basic
Q Isolation
Q deals MUCH more damage when only one target is in range. All missiles hit the isolated target.
Intermediate
Evolve Thresholds
Q evolves at 100 AD. E evolves at 100% bonus AS. W evolves at 100 AP. Plan your build around evolves.
Basic
R Shield
R gives a massive shield. Use it both offensively (dive) and defensively (dodge abilities).
Advanced
E Invisibility
Evolved E grants brief invisibility during the AS boost. Use it to dodge abilities or reposition in fights.
Intermediate
Passive Stacking
Ally CC applies passive stacks. Support stun + your autos = fast passive proc for %HP burst.
Basic
W Poke
W is long range and deals %HP. Use to poke before fights. Evolved W refunds CD on champion hit.
Matchups
Counters & Matchups
Kai'Sa struggles against long-range ADCs who poke her before she can dive. She excels against immobile squishies she can R onto.
Click any matchup to expand tips & how to play against them
Loses Against
Caitlyn outranges you and bullies you before Q evolve.
Farm safely. Q evolve spike is stronger than her mid-game dip.
Draven's early damage overwhelms you.
Don't fight. Farm to evolves.
Ashe's perma-slow makes it hard to reach targets with R.
Flank with R. Don't run through her slow.
Wins Against
Kog has no escape from your R dive.
R onto Kog → isolated Q. He dies instantly.
Twitch is weak and you can all-in him.
All-in with support. He can't escape.
Sivir can't match your burst.
R dive → isolated Q. Her spell shield only blocks one ability.