Sylas steals enemy ultimates. Your R copies any enemy R and uses it with YOUR AP ratios. Some stolen R's are better with Sylas's AP than on the original champion. Know every ult in the game.
Abilities
Skills Overview
P
Petricite Burst
Passive
After casting a spell, Sylas stores a charge of Petricite Burst. Sylas's basic attacks will expend a charge and whirl his energized chains around him dealing bonus magic damage to enemies hit. While Sylas has a charge of Petricite Burst, he gains attack speed.
Petricite Burst: after casting an ability, next 3 autos deal bonus AoE magic damage. Weave autos.
Q
Chain Lash
AoE · Explosion
Sylas lashes his chains out, intersecting at his targeted location dealing damage to and slowing enemies. After a delay, magical energy explodes from the intersection point dealing damage.
CD: 10/9/8/7/6 · Cost: 55
Q throws chains that explode for AoE damage. Detonation zone deals more damage.
W
Kingslayer
Heal · Execute
Sylas lunges at an enemy with magical force dealing damage and healing himself against enemy champions.
CD: 12/10.5/9/7.5/6 · Cost: 50/60/70/80/90
W heals you on hit. Heals MORE the lower your HP. Execute-style sustain.
E
Abscond / Abduct
Dash · Shield · Knockup
Sylas dashes to a location. Sylas can recast the ability to throw his chains out, pulling himself to an enemy he hits.
CD: 13/12/11/10/9 · Cost: 65
E1 dashes + shield. E2 dashes to an enemy and KNOCKS THEM UP.
R
Hijack
STEAL Enemy Ultimate
Sylas steals the enemy's ultimate ability and can cast it freely.
CD: 80/55/30 · Cost: 75
R STEALS an enemy champion's ultimate. You can use their R with your AP ratios. Game-changing.
Skill Leveling Order — Max W first, then Q, then E · R at 6 / 11 / 16
| Level | Q | W | E | R | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Take Q | ||||
| 2 | Take W — heal | ||||
| 3 | Take E — dash | ||||
| 4 | Level W | ||||
| 5 | Level W | ||||
| 6 | R — Hijack | ||||
| 7 | Level W | ||||
| 8 | Level Q | ||||
| 9 | W maxed ✓ | ||||
| 10 | Level Q | ||||
| 11 | R rank 2 | ||||
| 12 | Level Q | ||||
| 13 | Level Q | ||||
| 14 | Q maxed ✓ | ||||
| 15 | Level E | ||||
| 16 | R rank 3 | ||||
| 17 | Level E | ||||
| 18 | E maxed ✓ |
Itemization
Recommended Builds
Core Build
Hextech Rocketbelt
Dash + magic pen.
2600g
Ionian Boots
CDR for W heal spam.
950g
Zhonya's Hourglass
Stasis after diving.
3250g
Rabadon's Deathcap
AP multiplier — stolen R scales with YOUR AP.
3600g
Situational
Void Staff
Magic pen.
2800g
Banshee's Veil
Spell shield.
2600g
Spirit Visage
Increases W heal by 25%.
2900g
Rocketbelt → Zhonya's → Deathcap. Stolen R scales with YOUR AP.
Runes
Domination Primary
Electrocute
E + Q + auto procs.
Sudden Impact
Magic pen after E dash.
Eyeball Collection
Free AP.
Ultimate Hunter
Lower R steal cooldown.
Precision Secondary
Presence of Mind
Mana sustain.
Legend: Tenacity
Tenacity for diving.
Shards
Adaptive Force · Adaptive Force · Health
Gameplay
How to Play Sylas
01
Early Game
W Heal Trades, E Engage
- W heal wins extended trades. The lower your HP, the more it heals.
- E1 dash + E2 knockup for engage. E2 → Q → W → auto for full combo.
- Passive: weave 3 autos between abilities for bonus AoE damage.
- Farm with Q AoE.
- R at 6: identify the BEST enemy ultimate to steal first.
02
Mid Game
Steal the Best R
- Steal the best enemy R: Malphite R, Amumu R, Ashe R, etc.
- Stolen R uses YOUR AP ratios. Some R's are BETTER on Sylas than the original.
- W heal spam makes you surprisingly tanky for a mage.
- E dive → stolen R → Zhonya's for flashy plays.
- Know EVERY enemy ultimate's mechanics.
03
Late Game
5 Ultimates Available
- 5 enemy ultimates available. Steal the right one for each fight.
- Malphite R with your AP = massive damage engage.
- W heal below 40% HP heals 40%+ of your health. Unkillable.
- Zhonya's after stolen R engage. Team follows up.
- Spirit Visage increases W heal for drain-tank playstyle.
Teamfighting
How to Teamfight as Sylas
Sylas steals the best enemy R, then E dives in with the stolen R for devastating impact.
1
Steal — R the Right Target
Choose wisely
01
R the enemy with the best R.
02
Malphite R, Amumu R, Neeko R = best steals.
03
Don't steal useless R's (Vayne R, etc.).
Know EVERY enemy champion's R. Stealing the wrong R wastes your biggest power.
2
Engage — E + Stolen R
Dive
01
E1 dash → E2 knockup.
02
Use stolen R (Malphite R, etc.).
03
Q + W for burst + healing.
3
Sustain — W Heal
Drain tank
01
W heal at low HP = massive sustain.
02
Zhonya's after engage.
03
Continue W healing after stasis.
Best R's to steal: Malphite R (AP engage), Amumu R (AoE stun), Cho'Gath R (AP execute), Neeko R (AoE stun). These all scale with AP.
Tips & Tricks
Advanced Mechanics & Hidden Tech
Advanced mechanics for Sylas.
Basic
R Steals Ultimate
R copies the enemy's R. You can use their ultimate with YOUR AP ratios.
Advanced
Best Steals
Malphite R, Amumu R, Cho'Gath R, Neeko R = best with AP. Vayne R, Kalista R = bad steals.
Basic
W Heal
W heals you. The lower your HP, the more it heals. Don't panic when low — W saves you.
Intermediate
Passive Autos
After each ability, next 3 autos deal bonus AoE damage. Weave autos between abilities.
Basic
E Knockup
E2 dashes to an enemy and knocks them up. Your primary engage.
Intermediate
R per Target CD
You can't steal the same R twice in quick succession. There's a per-target cooldown.
Matchups
Counters & Matchups
Sylas struggles against champions with bad R's to steal and poke that prevents his W sustain. He excels against teams with powerful R's.
Click any matchup to expand tips & how to play against them
Loses Against
Outranges you. Her R isn't great to steal.
Farm safely. Steal a different enemy R.
Turrets zone you. His R isn't useful to steal.
Roam. Don't fight Heimer.
Wall blocks E dash. R steal is mediocre.
Farm and roam.
Wins Against
Stealing Malphite R with AP = the best engage in the game.
R Malphite → use his R with your AP. Devastating.
Stealing Neeko R = massive AoE stun with your AP.
Steal her R → Flash → R for 5-man stun.
Stealing Cho R = AP execute. Massive true damage.
Steal R → execute squishies for 1000+ true damage.