Changes: Kayn/Strategy

Revision as of 07:45, 19 October 2017

Look at the line-up of both your team and the enemy's team when picking your form.
Remember that nearby enemies can see which wall you're in.

Umbral Trespass requires Kayn to damage a target first. Try to dodge Blade's Reach to deny him a long range cast of Umbral Trespass.
When Kayn is in terrain near you, you will get a visual warning on the edge of the terrain he's in.
Damage Kayn while he's in Shadow Step to shorten its duration, or apply hard crowd control (stun, charm, knockup, etc.) to end Shadow Step immediately.

Reaping Slash's dash speed scales with Kayn's movement speed, allowing it work well in conjunction with Shadow Step. The delay duration of the slash is static however.
Only attacking will immediately end Shadow Step. Using abilities such as Reaping Slash and Blade's Reach will not end the effect, allowing for hastier entrances and poke while in terrain.
Umbral Trespass' damage does not ramp up based on the time spent in the target's body. For a swift application of the ability's effects when the untargetability is unnecessary, it is best to reactivate Umbral Trespass immediately.

Thunderlord's Decree is the go-to when going for the Shadow Assassin form, as it is on any assassin, since the extra damage is needed to ensure that he can burst down squishies. However, Stormraider's Surge is a viable alternative that, while reducing his damage potential, makes him less prone to kiting. It is an especially good choice against champions that rely on slows to kite Kayn, examples include Ashe.
When going for Rhaast, Fervor of Battle is the superior choice, since he will be more focused on dealing sustained damage.
- Grasp of the Undying is an alternative that gives Rhaast more sustain and grants him the ability to use Swiftness, which gives him a tenacity (this is a big deal if Rhaast is using Ninja Tabi as he will still have tenacity). It reduces Rhaast's damage output, however.
- Additionally, taking Runic Armor will boost Rhaast's passive sustains, as well as the heal from Shadow Step.

Duskblade of Draktharr works well with Kayn's Shadow Assassin form. With his ult, Kayn becomes unseen by the enemy, allowing him to potentially proc Nightstalker a second time.
Death's Dance adds an additional form of sustain from all physical damage for both forms, in addition to some resilience to burst damage. The high amounts of AD also scales his healing when using Shadow Step.
Spirit Visage boosts Kayn's Rhaast's passive healing as well as his heal from Shadow Step, thus giving him more sustain in duels, teamfights, and roams/ganks.
Blade of the Ruined King synergizes with Rhaast's max health damage from Reaping Slash, allowing him to burst through a tank's health bar more quickly. Keep in mind that it only works with Kayn's basic attacks so use Reaping Slash first and then land autos.
Both of The Black Cleaver's passives aid Kayn in skirmishes. Since Reaping Slash deals two instances of physical damage, a well-aimed proc applies the Cleave passive twice, shredding 8% of an enemy champion's armor instead of 4%. Additionally, the passive movement speed buff is welcoming to Kayn's mobile assassin kit, in particular when used with Shadow Step.

Because Rhaast is reliant on healing to last during teamfights and to duel enemies, it is recommended to buy Grievous Wounds items to have a better chance of fighting him. Keep in mind, however, that Bramble Vest and by extension, Thornmail, are less effective against Rhaast than other healing reliant champions. This is because he heals with his abilities instead of his basic attacks.
Umbral Trespass works in a similar way to Death Mark. Purchasing a Zhonya's Hourglass on AD champions will make you immune to the final damage effect.

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 ;Countering
-* Because {{ci|Rhaast}} is reliant on healing to last during teamfights and to duel enemies, it is recommended to buy {{cctip|Grievous Wounds}} items to have a better chance of fighting him. Keep in mind, however, that {{ii|Bramble Vest}} and by extension, {{ii|Thornmail}}, are less effective against {{ci|Rhaast}} than other healing reliant champions. This is because he heals with his abilities instead of his basic attacks.
+* Because {{ci|Rhaast}} is reliant on healing to last during teamfights and to duel enemies, it is recommended to buy {{tip|Grievous Wounds}} items to have a better chance of fighting him. Keep in mind, however, that {{ii|Bramble Vest}} and by extension, {{ii|Thornmail}}, are less effective against {{ci|Rhaast}} than other healing reliant champions. This is because he heals with his abilities instead of his basic attacks.
 * {{ai|Umbral Trespass|Kayn}} works in a similar way to {{ai|Death Mark|Zed}}. Purchasing a {{ii|Zhonya's Hourglass}} on AD champions will make you immune to the final damage effect.