Akali
Master Tier Champion Guide
Identity
Akali is a highly mobile AP assassin who excels at skirmishing and eliminating high-priority targets. You should play Akali if you enjoy a high-risk, high-reward playstyle that relies on mechanical skill and quick decision-making. Her kit is designed around burst damage, mobility, and the ability to reposition with her Twilight Shroud and Perfect Execution. Mastering Akali requires a deep understanding of her energy management, combo execution, and the ability to identify and exploit enemy vulnerabilities.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
High Mobility: Akali's kit is purely focused on mobility and damage.
High Impact: She influences the game by assassinating correct targets and creating space in fights due to the sheer threat she exerts.
Snowball Potential: Akali is a highly snowball-oriented champion. She is very effective when ahead but struggles notably when behind.
Weaknesses
No CC or Utility: Her kit offers no CC, no shields, or any other utility tools.
Struggles When Behind: Akali is very ineffective when behind.
Vulnerable to Reveals: Champions that can reveal Akali in her Shroud (W) are the hardest to play against.
Laning Phase Strategy
HP Preservation
Focus on preserving HP by baiting enemy spells and taking high-quality trades. Akali runs Doran's Shield + Second Wind to maximize HP regeneration, so avoiding damage 'every four seconds' allows time for health recovery.
Level 6 Tempo
The critical level 6 power spike (R) requires tempo. Aim to reset around 5-6 minutes to buy key components (Alternator/Sorc Boots/Mask component) and TP back to lane, ready to fight for objectives like Grubs.
Pre-6 Skirmishing
Skirmishes are generally high-risk and 'flippy' before level 6 due to high energy costs and long cooldowns. Be highly selective about which early fights to take.
W Aggression
Use W aggressively for move speed, energy, and to pressure enemies off creep score (CS), especially when they are low health and cannot retaliate.
Wave Control
Akali prefers a longer lane to run down opponents. Look to slow-push waves to allow stacks to build up, especially against melee champions, forcing them to walk up and expose themselves.
Mid-Game Macro and Skirmishing
Mid-Game Macro
Akali wins through fighting and skirmishing. She is a strong duelist in the side lane but is poor at objective damage or traditional split-pushing.
Shove and Move (Tempo)
Use her side lane strength to shove waves deep to hit item spikes and then move to create advantageous fights elsewhere on the map.
TP Usage
Akali runs Teleport to enable flank angles during major objective fights (Baron/Drake). This can create critical man advantages (5v4s) by flanking after the enemy side laner is pinned or slow to rotate.
Objective Focus
Use neutral objectives (like Baron or Dragon) as magnets for skirmishes. Ensure the side lanes are managed before rotating.
High-State Skirmishing (Fighting Mastery)
Winning mid-game fights requires correctly assessing Akali's role and executing micro plays perfectly.
Assess Akali's Role
Disruptor: Uses R1/
W to dive the enemy and disrupt their formation, buying time for teammates to follow up. Assassin: Flanks to burst a priority backline target. Cleanup: Waits for enemies to use key CC/defensive abilities before entering the fight to execute low-health targets.
Skirmish Micro Checklist
Fight with R/W: Never fight without R or W up; Akali is highly reliant on these spells for utility and damage resets. E Risk Assessment: E is extremely risky. Only use E if it is necessary to secure a kill. If used, combine it with R or throw from fog-of-war for the highest chance to land. W Timing: Generally, use W after R1 for protection while setting up R2. W should not be used too early. Lining Up: Position to hit multiple enemies with the AOE of Q and R. Patience: Do not rush R2. Hold R2 to ensure proper execution or repositioning.
Macro Assessment
Before engaging, ask: What is the next objective? Are we strong enough? What is our win condition? Am I aware of enemy key CC/self-peel/reveal abilities?.
Essential Trading and All-in Combos
Simple Poke
QA simple poke combo to harass the enemy laner.
Standard Trade
QQA standard trade combo that utilizes Akali's passive.
E Backwards
EQWA combo that allows Akali to close the gap and trade with ranged champions.
W Escape Trade
WEQA less committal trade combo that allows Akali to escape if needed.
Max Passive Proc (Slower)
Q
RQEEQRA slower all-in combo that maximizes Akali's passive procs.
The Ultimate All-in (Favorite)
ERERAn all-in combo that is almost impossible for enemies to escape.
R-Fast-E (Surprise)
REA surprise all-in combo that is hard to react to.
Micro Drills and Tips
Abilities
PRegularly practice quickly moving out and back in after an ability to proc the passive Auto.
QPunish melee champions by using Q when they are forced to stand still to last hit minions.
Use the slow to secure the passive auto-attack or follow-up Q.
WHighly versatile; used offensively for trades or defensively for escapes/ganks. Has a long cooldown.
ERisky if missed (sends Akali in the wrong direction). Can be used defensively to dash out of skill shots.
RMaster the R-Fast-
E combo, ensuring the E is cast toward the side of the R cast at max range.R2 is used within 10 seconds of R1. R serves as a main kill tool and a versatile escape/side lane tool (goes through walls).