Matchup of the Day

Ambessa vs. Kayle (top Lane)

A detailed breakdown of the lane, from early game to late.

Winrate: 56.0%Patch 15.19116 Matches

Matchup Win Rate

56.0%

Gold Diff @ 15

+635g

Gold Diff @ End

+242g

Average KDA

7/5/5

Ambessa Win Condition

Your goal is to cripple Kayle in the early stages of the game before she can scale. Ambessa must look to capitalize on Kayle at Level 1, as she is squishier, especially if she has not taken resolve runes. You should aim to play for Electrocute crit procs.

The strategy often involves preparing for a dive (the goal being to dive her after certain waves). In the late game, the ultimate win condition is to one-shot her before she has the chance to activate her ultimate ability.

Kayle Win Condition

Kayle wins if she survives the early game and successfully scales. Surprisingly, Kayle is described as "surprisingly strong" in an auto-attack beatdown at Level 1, meaning Ambessa cannot just stand and duel her. If she gains items, particularly mobility items like Swifty boots, she becomes extremely quick.

If Kayle is proficient, she will ensure she plays well enough to prevent Ambessa from being able to one-shot her before her ultimate is used. Furthermore, Kayle often benefits heavily from her jungler constantly playing for her.

General Strategy

Ambessa should avoid engaging in a traditional auto-attack beatdown at Level 1. Instead, you should focus on utilizing enhanced autos for decent poke. After securing a kill, if Kayle lacks Teleport (TP), maintaining lane difficulty is crucial.

Movement speed and TP are important factors in this lane; using an item like "Volta" and TP makes a big difference. If Kayle refuses to fight and stands under her tower, Ambessa should adjust by freezing the wave back toward herself and poking her down. In terms of defensive building, rushing items like Sterak's Gage (Stance) can help deal with Kayle's output, allowing Ambessa to survive her ultimate and kill her after it expires.

Trading Patterns

Trading should be executed using short bursts of poke, especially if Kayle uses her potions early, which grants an advantage. Critically, Ambessa must use her enhanced autos, not normal auto-attacks, during trades. If she is standing under the tower, you can poke her down.

Ambessa can look for an opportunity to use her ultimate and follow up to one-shot Kayle. If a trade goes poorly, ensure you "cut it outwards" (dash out) quickly.

Wave Management

If Kayle lacks TP, freezing the wave on a cannon wave makes it very difficult for her to play the lane. If Kayle is passively staying under her tower, Ambessa should manage the wave by freezing it back toward herself. This allows Ambessa to poke Kayle down while maintaining a safe lane state.

Build & Rune Breakdown

Ambessa Build

Starting Items (50.0% WR)

ItemItem

Core Items (75.0% WR)

ItemItemItem

Optimal Runes (60.5% WR)

Grasp of the UndyingAftershockGuardian
DemolishFont of LifeShield Bash
ConditioningSecond WindBone Plating
OvergrowthRevitalizeUnflinching
Hextech FlashtraptionMagical FootwearCash Back
Triple TonicTime Warp TonicBiscuit Delivery
Cosmic InsightApproach VelocityJack Of All Trades

Skill Priority

"q"Q
>
eE
>
w"W"

Skill Order

Q
1
4
5
7
9
W
2
14
15
E
3
8
10
12
13
R
6
11
16

Kayle Build

Starting Items (44.0% WR)

ItemItem

Core Items (20.0% WR)

ItemItemItem

Optimal Runes (44.9% WR)

Press the AttackLethal TempoFleet FootworkConqueror
Absorb LifeTriumphPresence of Mind
Legend: AlacrityLegend: HasteLegend: Bloodline
Coup de GraceCut DownLast Stand
Axiom ArcanistManaflow BandNimbus Cloak
TranscendenceCelerityAbsolute Focus
ScorchWaterwalkingGathering Storm

Skill Priority

"q"Q
>
eE
>
w"W"

Skill Order

Q
2
4
5
7
9
W
3
14
E
1
8
10
12
13
R
6
11

Who wins this matchup?

Ambessa
Kayle

Educational Resources

Learn from the pros and improve your gameplay with these community-curated guides.

Match Flow Visualization

Ambessa

Combat Stats

Kayle
7/5/5KDA5/7/5
38%Kill Participation35%
56%Win Rate44%

Damage Dealt @ 15 min

Ambessa
7,278
Kayle
5,236

Damage Dealt @ End

Ambessa
22,878
Kayle
18,761

Damage Taken @ End

Ambessa
18,761
Kayle
22,878