Akali
Mid Lane Assassin
The Rogue Assassin — Energy-based melee AP with stealth, mobility, and execution burst
VS
Katarina
Mid Lane Assassin
Reset assassin with daggers and AOE ult
Matchup Dynamics
How This Matchup Works
Farm with Q – Five Point Strike and trade only after Katarina Bouncing Blade (~11s) or Shunpo (~14s) is used. Use W – Twilight Shroud to deny target selection vs picks; pivot at level 6 when R – Perfect Execution grants one-rotation kill threat and roam pressure.
Early Game (1-5)
Skill Matchup - Punish after Katarina Bouncing Blade (~11s) or Shunpo (~14s); last-hit with Q at 325 range; hold wave 6–8 minions near your tower at 3:00; ward pixel brush 2:30 and raptors 3:30.
Mid Game (6-11)
Akali Favored - Complete Hextech Rocketbelt by ~12:00; fish E – Shuriken Flip after Katarina engage tool is down; hover Herald 8–10 and roam on shove with W cooldown (~20s) ready.
Late Game (12+)
Akali Favored - Flank 5–10s before objective; force pick with R – Perfect Execution; avoid front-to-back vs Katarina; play fog at river/jungle entrances and collapse after key cooldowns.
Key Interactions
- Shroud vs Katarina engage: Cast W – Twilight Shroud as Katarina starts Shunpo (~14s); deny vision and step out, re-enter with E2 after cooldown falls.
- E tag timing: Throw E1 – Shuriken Flip as Katarina uses Bouncing Blade (~11s) on wave; hit during animation to guarantee mark; follow with E2 to stick.
- Q energy rule: Maintain ≥80 energy before trading; weave Q > passive ring auto; disengage for ~1.5–3s to regen, then re-enter.
- Perfect Execution finish: Use R1 to cross space or dodge CC; hold R2 until target ≤35–45% HP or after key summoner/defensive used; exit with W or E2 return.
Akali
Strengths
- Q – Five Point Strike last-hits at 325 range; safe chip on cooldowns
- W – Twilight Shroud drops vision; disengage or re-engage mid skirmish
- E – Shuriken Flip tag enables commit with E2 then R chain
- High pick pressure from flanks post-6
Weaknesses
- Energy gated in extended trades; needs windows
- No hard CC; relies on E tag to stick
- Vulnerable to reveals/true sight inside W and tower vision
Katarina
Strengths
- Shunpo or main CC punishes short range
- Item spikes favor ranged poke or resets
- Wave control can set up roams or dives
Weaknesses
- Cooldown reliant; windows after key ability usage
- Struggles to target Akali inside shroud without vision
- Susceptible to flanks and E>R pick angles on rotations
Power Curve Comparison EXPERIMENTAL
Power Curve Visualization
Win Conditions
Akali's Win Condition
- Freeze 5–6 minions at 3:30–4:30; trade after Katarina Bouncing Blade used; tag E then take Q+passive and back to deny HP
- Buy Sorcerer's Shoes/defensive boots by 6:00; shove → ward pixel/raptors; roam when W is up
- Crash mid wave then move 15–20s pre-objective; flank carry with R chain and reset vision
Katarina's Win Condition
- Fight on cannon waves; use Shunpo or CC to start with jungle present; convert HP lead to plates
- Force extended trades on first mythic; bait W then re-engage on cooldown
- Push and move to side; draw Akali to lane while team starts objective
Laning Phase Guide
| Level/Phase | Akali | Katarina |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Start Q – Five Point Strike (or W if level-1 brush cheese); last-hit only; trade after Katarina Bouncing Blade (~11s) used on minions; hold wave 6–8 near tower; ward pixel 2:30; all-in only with Ignite + HP>60% | Start Bouncing Blade; shove for level 2 first; ward opposite pixel 2:30; crash 2nd/3rd wave for cheater recall; avoid trading when Akali has 80+ energy |
| Level 2 | Take E – Shuriken Flip; throw E1 as Katarina uses Shunpo (~14s) or to last-hit; connect Q+passive then exit; control ward raptors 3:30 | Take Shunpo; trade short; back off if tagged by E; track jungle pathing |
| Level 3 | Take W – Twilight Shroud; bait engage then W; Q twice inside shroud, exit on edge; freeze 4–6 minions; cheater recall if safe | Third ability online; fight on stacked wave; drop control ward to reveal shroud; respect E2 follow |
| Level 4-5 | Buy boots/components; keep trades ≤3s around W cooldown (~20s); deep ward 4:00; track Flash 300s; hover river on shove | Hold wave outside tower; call jungle for dive with wave; save mobility to dodge E1; ward raptors 4:00 |
| Level 6 | Unlock R – Perfect Execution; Q > E1 tag > R1 through target > E2 > Q > R2 if target ≤40%; shove then reset for item | Use Death Lotus proactively or save disengage; step out of shroud; avoid Akali execute threshold |
| Level 7-8 | Complete Rocketbelt; push on vision; hover Herald 8–10:00; E>Rocketbelt>R1 picks on mid-rotation | Fight with mythic/components; punish W down; set up Herald with team |
| Level 9 | Max Q; shove→ward deep; rotate sides on crash; track Teleport 360s; only side with vision | Max primary trade spell; extend lane to punish roams; ward flanks |
Power Spikes
Level Spikes
| Akali | Katarina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Description | Level | Description |
| 3 | Minor W unlock enables safe trades and disengage post-CC | 3 | Major Full combo online; punish W cooldown |
| 6 | Major R execute chain opens pick windows on mid roam | 6 | Critical Death Lotus adds pick or teamfight swing |
| 9 | Major Q max improves DPS and wave; one-rotation kills with E tag | 11 | Minor Rank 2 ultimate or upgrade raises damage pattern |
Item Spikes
| Akali | Katarina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Description | Item | Description |
| Sorcerer's Shoes (1100g) | Pen + MS improves roam and burst thresholds | Lost Chapter/Sheen component (1100g~) | Mana or on-hit spikes punish W down |
| Hextech Rocketbelt (3200g~) | Active dash helps land E tag and extend combo | Core mythic (3000–3300g) | First mythic powers poke or skirmish pattern |
| Zhonya's Hourglass (3100g) | Stasis dodges counter burst after R1 or inside W | Banshee's/Hexdrinker/Zhonya (2800–3100g) | Defensive tech vs Akali burst |
| Oblivion Orb (800g) | Apply Grievous Wounds vs sustain mids | ||
Best Build for Akali
Starting Items
Doran's Shield (400g) or Doran's Ring (400g) + Health Potion
Core Items
Hextech Rocketbelt (3200g~) → Sorcerer's Shoes (1100g) → Zhonya's Hourglass (3100g)
Runes
Primary: Electrocute, Sudden Impact, Eyeball Collection, Treasure Hunter
Secondary: Second Wind, Unflinching
Summoner Spells
Flash + Teleport (or Flash + Ignite to snowball)
Priority Build Path
1
Hextech Rocketbelt
Dash to secure E tag; active burst raises execute threshold
2
Sorcerer's Shoes
Magic pen and MS for flanks and Q/R thresholds
3
Zhonya's Hourglass
Stasis to drop aggro after R1 or inside shroud
4
Shadowflame
Pen vs shields; boosts one-rotation kills on squishies
Situational Adjustments
- Oblivion Orb: High sustain lanes (Vamp scepters, healing passives)
- Mercury's Treads: Heavy AP/CC; reduces lock down during engages
- Void Staff: Opp builds MR; maintain execute thresholds
Key Patterns
Lethal Combos
Akali Full Combo (Level 6+):
E1 – Shuriken Flip > Rocketbelt > R1 – Perfect Execution through target > E2 follow > Q + passive auto > R2 finish
Lethal at ~35–45% on carries; ensure Electrocute or Conqueror stacked
Katarina Escape/Counter Combo:
Shunpo or CC engage > primary damage (Bouncing Blade/Preparation) > R finish
Requires Akali W down or missed E tagTrading Combos
Akali Short Trade:
Q > step out for passive ring > auto > back; or E1 tag > Q > back
Keep trades ≤3s; only commit when enemy key cooldowns down
Katarina Quick Trade:
Bouncing Blade poke on wave > step out of shroud > re-engage when W (~20s) on cooldown
Drop control ward to reveal shroud edgeLethal Thresholds
- Akali Kill Range: R2 lethal at ~35–45% on squishies after Q+passive; vs tanks, wait for ≤25–30% with pen items
- Katarina Kill Range: 40–55% after CC chain + items; deny E tag and shroud to avoid execute
- Critical Levels: 3 (Akali W), 6 (R access), 9 (Q max), 11 (R2)
Level by Level Game Plan
| Level | Primary Goal | Lane Position | Trading Opportunities | Kill Windows | Setup Opportunities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Secure CS and chip | Hold wave 6–8 from tower | Q after Katarina Bouncing Blade used; hit 2 Qs then back | Low; only with Ignite + HP lead | Ward pixel 2:30; Ahead: slow-push then cheater; Even: last-hit; Behind: thin wave and hug tower |
| 2 | Add E threat | Maintain freeze | E1 as Katarina Shunpo used; follow with Q+passive | Medium if E tag + Ignite | Control ward raptors 3:30; Ahead: zone; Even: short trades; Behind: save W for ganks |
| 3 | Use W to reset | Short lane near tower | Q>W>Q poke; E tag only with jungler nearby | Low unless E hits clean | Ping jungler; Ahead: plate chip; Even: freeze; Behind: call cover and keep warded |
| 4-5 | Boots timing | Short lane; avoid long chases | ≤3s windows around W | Low unless enemy misuses key CD | Buy boots/components; Ahead: deep ward; Even: match push; Behind: farm under tower |
| 6 | Play around R | Fight on vision | E1 tag > R1 through target > E2 > Q > R2 | High at ~40% on squishies | Shove then reset; Ahead: threaten dive; Even: trade HP; Behind: hold R to deter dive |
| 7-8 | Rocketbelt spike | Push on vision; hover Herald | E>Rocketbelt>R1 on rotation | Medium on picks | Secure Herald; Ahead: take plates; Even: contest vision; Behind: stack waves then roam |
| 9+ | Q max pressure | Side→group on timers | Pick-only with E tag | Medium if Flash down | Set vision nets; Ahead: pressure sides; Even: group; Behind: soak safely |
| Mid Game (11-16) | Flank and pick | Hover river entrances | Catch with E at choke | R2 execute on carries | Time dragons/herald; Ahead: start; Even: turn; Behind: trade objectives |
| Late Game (16+) | Backline assassination | Flank from fog | R1 in > Zhonya > exit with E2 | High on immobile carries | Baron/Elder turns with pinks and shroud |
First Back Goals
Ideal Back (1100–1400g)
- Hextech Alternator (1050g)
- Boots (300g)
- Control Ward (75g)
Crash 3rd/cannon wave ≈2:15–5:30; base on bounce to avoid losing plates
Standard Back (700–900g)
- Amplifying Tome (400g)
- Boots (300g)
Reset on slow-push when wave bounces back to you
Teamfight Tips
| Aspect | Akali | Katarina |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Flank assassin/pick | Mage/assassin per kit |
| Target Priority | ADC/APC without Flash Enemy jungler on objectives Low-HP divers mid-fight |
Closest threat then backline per CC windows |
| Objective Control | Arrive early; ward flanks; pick then start Hold R2 for secure/escape |
Start when shroud down Turn on overextended flankers |
| Positioning | Fog flanks via pixel→raptors paths W zone to cut vision, then R chain |
Fight in open; drop control wards; peel or dive as comp allows |
| Other Tips | Buffer R1 during CC wind-ups; time W to dodge targeted casts Mark Flash timers and punish 300s windows |
Bait W with feint; re-engage with Shunpo Force fights on waves to limit Akali flanks |