Syndra is the single-target burst queen. Q summons spheres, E stuns through spheres, and R fires ALL spheres at one target. At full build with 6-7 spheres, R one-shots any squishy.
Abilities
Skills Overview
P
Transcendent
Passive
Syndra collects Splinters of Wrath from gaining levels and damaging enemies which upgrade her abilities.Dark Sphere: Syndra can hold an additional chargeForce of Will: Bonus true damage.Scatter the Weak: Increased width and slows all targetsUnleashed Power: Executes low health targets
Transcendent: at max level, each ability gains a bonus effect. Q bonus range, W bonus true damage, E bonus width, R bonus execute.
Q
Dark Sphere
AoE · Sphere Summon
Syndra conjures a Dark Sphere dealing magic damage. The sphere remains and can be manipulated by her other powers.
CD: 7 · Cost: 40/45/50/55/60
Q summons a sphere. Spheres on the ground power up R. More spheres = more R damage.
W
Force of Will
Grab · Throw · Slow
Syndra picks up and throws a Dark Sphere or enemy minion dealing magic damage and slowing the Move Speed of enemies.
CD: 12/11/10/9/8 · Cost: 60/70/80/90/100
W grabs and throws a sphere or minion. Slows on landing.
E
Scatter the Weak
Knockback · Stun (with spheres)
Syndra knocks enemies and Dark Spheres back dealing magic damage. Enemies hit by Dark Spheres become stunned.
CD: 15 · Cost: 50
E pushes all spheres in a cone. Spheres that hit enemies STUN them. Q → E combo = long-range stun.
R
Unleashed Power
Point-Click · Multi-Sphere · Burst
Syndra bombards an enemy Champion with all of her Dark Spheres.
CD: 120/100/80 · Cost: 100
R fires ALL spheres at a single target. More spheres on the ground = more damage. 6-7 spheres = one-shot.
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 — stun | ||||
| 3 | Take W | ||||
| 4 | Level Q | ||||
| 5 | Level Q | ||||
| 6 | R — Unleashed Power | ||||
| 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
Malignance
R CDR. More R one-shots.
2700g
Sorcerer's Shoes
Magic pen.
1100g
Rabadon's Deathcap
AP multiplier for R burst.
3600g
Void Staff
Magic pen.
2800g
Situational
Zhonya's Hourglass
Stasis.
3250g
Banshee's Veil
Spell shield.
2600g
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
Q slow.
2600g
Malignance → Deathcap → Void. R one-shots with maximum AP and magic pen.
Runes
Domination Primary
Electrocute
Q + W + auto procs.
Taste of Blood
Sustain.
Eyeball Collection
Free AP.
Ultimate Hunter
Lower R cooldown.
Inspiration Secondary
Magical Footwear
Free boots.
Biscuit Delivery
Sustain.
Shards
Adaptive Force · Adaptive Force · Health
Gameplay
How to Play Syndra
01
Early Game
Q Poke, Q → E Stun
- Q poke constantly. Each Q summons a sphere that stays on the ground.
- Q → E pushes spheres for long-range stun. Your main CC.
- W grab and throw for extra damage + slow.
- More spheres on the ground = more R damage. Q → Q → Q before R.
- Trade: Q → auto → Q → E stun → W → auto.
02
Mid Game
R One-Shot Burst
- Q → Q → Q → R = 6-7 sphere ult. One-shots any squishy.
- Q → E for long-range stun picks.
- W grabs enemy jungle camps/cannon for extra burst.
- R is POINT-AND-CLICK. Cannot be dodged.
- Position spheres before fights for maximum R damage.
03
Late Game
Point-Click Delete
- R with 7 spheres + full AP = 2000+ damage on one target. One-shot anything.
- Q → E stun from max range for picks.
- R cannot be dodged — point-and-click deletion.
- W grab + throw adds burst to the combo.
- The most reliable burst mage in the game.
Teamfighting
How to Teamfight as Syndra
Syndra Q → E stuns then R one-shots the priority target.
1
Poke — Q Spheres
Setup
01
Q Q Q to place spheres.
02
More spheres = more R damage.
03
Q → E for stun picks.
Don't R with only 3 spheres. Place 6-7 spheres first for maximum damage.
2
Delete — R Unleashed Power
Point-and-click one-shot
01
R the priority target with max spheres.
02
Point-and-click — cannot be dodged.
03
2000+ damage at full build.
3
CC — Q → E Stun
Follow-up
01
Q → E pushes spheres for AoE stun.
02
W slow fleeing enemies.
03
Continue Q poke.
Place 3 spheres in a line with Q, then E through all 3 for a MASSIVE stun zone. Catches entire teams.
Tips & Tricks
Advanced Mechanics & Hidden Tech
Advanced mechanics for Syndra.
Basic
R Sphere Count
R deals more damage per sphere. Place Q spheres before R. 6-7 spheres = one-shot.
Intermediate
Q → E Stun
E pushes spheres. Place Q sphere → E pushes it for long-range stun.
Basic
R Point-and-Click
R cannot be dodged. It's guaranteed damage on any target.
Advanced
Multi-Sphere E
Place 3 Qs in a line, then E through all 3 for a massive width stun cone.
Basic
W Grab
W grabs a sphere, minion, or monster. Throw for bonus damage + slow.
Intermediate
Passive Upgrades
At max level, each ability gains bonus effects. Q extra range, E wider, R execute.
Matchups
Counters & Matchups
Syndra struggles against assassins who gap-close before she can Q → E and champions who outrange her.
Click any matchup to expand tips & how to play against them
Loses Against
Fizz E dodges R and his burst kills first.
Q → E stun when he E's in. R before he can E.
Zed W/R dodges R targeting.
E stun his R shadow location.
Windwall blocks Q, W, and E spheres.
Bait windwall, then full combo.
Wins Against
Immobile. R one-shots him.
Q poke → R. Dead.
Squishy, immobile.
Q → E stun → R. Dead instantly.
You outrange Annie.
Q poke from outside her range. R when she walks forward.