UpMatched 
Sylas
Mid Lane AP Skirmisher
The Unshackled — melee AP skirmisher who steals ultimates
VS
Akali
Mid Lane Assassin
The Rogue Assassin — shroud outplay windows and burst
Matchup Dynamics
How This Matchup Works
Win by trading on your terms: dodge E – Shuriken Flip with E1, connect E2, then W for sustain. The lane pivots at level 6 when R – Hijack steals R – Perfect Execution and lets you mirror their play pattern.
Early Game (1-5)
Skill Matchup - Both trade windows hinge on jungle pressure and wave state early (1–6); track summoners and play around stolen R options.
Mid Game (6-11)
Skill Matchup - Both trade windows hinge on jungle pressure and wave state mid (7–18); track summoners and play around stolen R options.
Late Game (12+)
Sylas Favored - Sylas leverages W – Kingslayer sustain and R – Hijack value late (19–35+); punish Akali after key cooldowns while E – Abscond/Abduct (13–9s) is up.
Key Interactions
- Dodge/Punish Akali's key CC: Buffer E1 of E – Abscond/Abduct during E – Shuriken Flip wind-up; sidestep then re-activate E2 to latch; trade immediately with W – Kingslayer for heal.
- Steal & mirror R – Perfect Execution: Use R – Hijack to take R – Perfect Execution; match their engage/disengage timing; cast after they use mobility so they cannot mirror-escape.
- Reset timing with passive: After any spell, weave one auto for Petricite Burst; in short trades do Q → auto → W reset; exit before their jungle arrives (track 20–25s pathing).
- Wave angle control: Stand outside Q – Five Point Strike primary lane angle; last-hit with Q – Chain Lash detonation to thin; hold 6–8 minions when jungler is nearby for setup.
Sylas
Strengths
- Can steal almost any mid ultimate with R – Hijack to flip skirmishes
- W – Kingslayer sustain + execute enables repeatable short trades
- E – Abscond/Abduct double dash to dodge skillshots and gap-close
- High skirmish value around river/objectives with stolen engage tools
Weaknesses
- Short range; needs wave access to trade safely into control mages
- Telegraphed E2; gets punished by grounded/anti-dash zones
- Mana-gated early if spamming Q to thin waves for safety
- Vulnerable to early jungle attention when wave is pushing
Akali
Strengths
- Akali can leverage range/CC to control first push and chip
- Akali punishes Sylas' E2 window with peel or displacement
- Akali often out-prioritizes early river with faster shove
- Akali's ultimate can force fights on their terms pre-Zhonya
Weaknesses
- Cooldown-reliant; windows open when key spell is down
- Can be counter-engaged by stolen ultimate in skirmishes
- If wave held near Sylas tower, dive counterplay via W heal
- Falls off in pure brawl vs Conqueror + item spikes
Power Curve Comparison EXPERIMENTAL
Power Curve Visualization
Win Conditions
Sylas's Win Condition
- Freeze 5–6 minions after bounce (3:30–4:15) to force overextend; call jungle for 3-wave dive
- Steal R – Perfect Execution before objective; start fight on your terms with Rocketbelt + E2
- Track Teleport (300s; Unleashed 330–240s); cross-map when enemy shows without TP
- Maintain mid prio on cannon waves to move first to river and side lanes
Akali's Win Condition
- Secure early wave prio; poke Sylas off CS and plates
- Hold CC/displacement for Sylas E2; punish when it’s down
- Force early dragon/herald while Hijack is on cooldown
- Keep mid lane warded on flanks to spot E2 + Rocketbelt angles
Laning Phase Guide
| Level/Phase | Sylas | Akali |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Start Q – Chain Lash; last-hit with detonation; keep wave 3–4 minions from tower; if pushed, ward pixel at 2:30; trade only after enemy uses their poke; hold potion until <55% HP to maximize Second Wind. | Start Q – Five Point Strike; shove first 3 casters to secure push; harass when Sylas walks up for melee CS; ward opposite pixel at 2:30 if pushing; avoid early all-in until Sylas burns E2. |
| Level 2 | Take W – Kingslayer; short trade Q → auto (P) → W; disengage; crash wave 3 at ≈2:15 if jungler is topside; stack wave if jungler pathing bot. | Take E – Shuriken Flip or W – Twilight Shroud; threaten when Sylas uses W; thin wave near mid line to deny crash; ping jungler for timer at 2:45. |
| Level 3 | Unlock E – Abscond/Abduct; look E1 sidestep → E2 hit → W reset → Q detonate; all-in only if enemy <60% HP or wave ≥6 your minions; ward raptors 3:15. | Respect Sylas E2; kite backwards after E – Shuriken Flip dodged; hold stun/escape for after E2; call jungler if wave bounces back. |
| Level 4-5 | Maintain freeze 5–6 minions from tower; punish after key enemy spell; recall on cannon (≈4:30) for Hextech Alternator (1100g) or Dark Seal + Boots. | Break freeze with slow push; poke Sylas off wave with Q – Five Point Strike; recall on bounce for components; drop Control Ward at 4:00 river. |
| Level 6 | Steal R – Perfect Execution; threaten mirrored play; force fight when jungler near; track sums; kill if enemy <45% HP and no Flash; rotate first on Atakhan pit reveal at 14:00 via push. | Hit 6 under tower if behind; track stolen R – Perfect Execution; disengage when Sylas has R; only contest wave with jungler near. |
| Level 7-8 | Spike on first item + Sorc Shoes; roam timers after crash (7:30–9:00); drop deep ward on enemy raptors; set up dragon control with stolen engage. | Match roam through river vision; ping MIA; punish if Sylas leaves before crash; secure plates only with vision and sums up. |
| Level 9 | Max Q at 9; shove faster; look cross-map Teleport after 14:00 Unleashed; hover sides on wave 3/6/9 cycles; keep lane warded for flank TPs. | Group to deny Sylas flanks; hug vision; thin waves mid when Sylas shows side; track TP cooldowns before contesting Herald at 16:00. |
Power Spikes
Level Spikes
| Sylas | Akali | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Description | Level | Description |
| 3 | Minor E unlocked enables E1 sidestep → E2 engage; combine with W heal to win short trades | 2 | Minor Full basic combo with Q – Five Point Strike + E – Shuriken Flip online |
| 6 | Major R – Hijack steals R – Perfect Execution; mirror engage or disengage to win skirmishes | 6 | Major R – Perfect Execution unlocks kill pressure; track Flash timers before trading |
| 9 | Major Q max lowers CD to 6s; waveclear to roam and set up objective timers | 9 | Minor First max lowers key poke/CC cooldown |
| 11 | Major Rank 2 R; stronger stolen ults; look for picks on vision timers | ||
Item Spikes
| Sylas | Akali | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Description | Item | Description |
| Sorcerer's Shoes (1100g) | Flat magic pen improves W + Q damage vs early MR | Lost Chapter/Alt components (1100-1300g) | Mana/CDR components enable shove for roam/vision |
| Hextech Alternator (1100g) | Adds on-hit burst to Q trade; enables Rocketbelt build | Core damage item (2800-3200g) | First legendary completion gives clear kill window |
| Hextech Rocketbelt (2650g) | Active dash extends E2 reach for pick angles | ||
| Zhonya's Hourglass (3250g) | Stasis lets you buy time after engage or to dodge burst | ||
| Shadowflame (3200g) | Penetration vs shields/low MR; spikes mid-game damage | ||
| Catalyst of Aeons (1300g) | If building RoA: lane sustain via Eternity in poke lanes | ||
Best Build for Sylas
Starting Items
Doran's Shield (400g) + Health Potion
Core Items
Hextech Rocketbelt (2650g) → Sorcerer's Shoes (1100g) → Zhonya's Hourglass (3250g)
Runes
Primary: Conqueror, Triumph, Legend: Tenacity, Last Stand
Secondary: Second Wind, Unflinching
Summoner Spells
Flash + Teleport
Priority Build Path
1
Hextech Rocketbelt
Gap-close active plus AP/haste for engage angles
2
Sorcerer's Shoes
Flat pen to punch through early MR
3
Zhonya's Hourglass
Stasis to survive dives and bait cooldowns
4
Shadowflame
Early pen vs low MR; strong after level 11
Situational Adjustments
- Rod of Ages: Into heavy poke and long games; scales with Eternity sustain
- Mercury's Treads: Into hard CC/AP; reduces CC duration (tenacity)
- Oblivion Orb: Buy early vs heavy healing (Annie + Second Wind, Sylas mirror, etc.)
- Banshee's Veil: Versus pick/long-range engage; spell shield protects E2
Key Patterns
Lethal Combos
Sylas Full Combo (Level 6+):
E1 – Abscond sidestep > E2 – Abduct hit > W – Kingslayer (execute) > Q – Chain Lash detonate > auto (P) > R – Hijack use (stolen ult) > W reset
Secure kill at ~35% HP if W lands mid-combo; use Zhonya's after engage vs heavy burst
Akali Escape/Counter Combo:
Q – Five Point Strike > W – Twilight Shroud > E – Shuriken Flip > R – Perfect Execution (if available); take trade only after Sylas uses E2 or with jungler CC
Exploit Sylas' short range pre-6; blow him up if E2 whiffs or R is on cooldownTrading Combos
Sylas Short Trade:
Q (outer lash) → auto (P) → W tap then back; repeat every 10–6s Q CD
Short trades abuse passive autos and W heal; avoid extended vs early Lost Chapter poke
Akali Quick Trade:
Q – Five Point Strike from max range then step back; hold E – Shuriken Flip to interrupt Sylas E2; disengage if Sylas steals R – Perfect Execution
Deny Sylas resets; punish him on exit with final auto or skillshotLethal Thresholds
- Sylas Kill Range: With Sorc Shoes + Alternator, lethal from ~55% if E2+W hits and stolen R adds damage; below ~35% W executes confidently
- Akali Kill Range: If Ignite + full combo lands, Sylas dies around 40–50% without Zhonya's
- Critical Levels: 3 (Sylas E); 6 (stolen ultimate warps fight); 9 (Q max for shove); 11 (R2)
Level by Level Game Plan
| Level | Primary Goal | Lane Position | Trading Opportunities | Kill Windows | Setup Opportunities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Get push control without overcommitting | Hold wave just outside your tower range | Use Q outer hit then detonation; weave one auto for Passive | Low; only with jungle and enemy misstep | Track junglers; ward pixel at 2:30 if pushing |
| 2 | Unlock sustain trading | Maintain minion advantage 6–8 | Q → auto (P) → W; back before return damage | Medium if enemy <60% and no wave disadvantage | Trim wave for bounce into your side |
| 3 | Gain all-in threat | Position slightly to one side to angle E1 | E1 sidestep → E2 connect → W reset → Q detonate | Medium-High with Conqueror stacks | Crash and ward raptors 3:15 |
| 4-5 | Stabilize pre-6 and plan first base | Hold freeze 5–6 minions from tower | Short trades on enemy spell CD | Low unless enemy burns Flash | Recall on cannon for components |
| 6 | Play around stolen ult | Shove then hover river for skirmish | Take mirrored ultimate and force 2v2 | High if your jungler is near and Flash advantage | Track TP and dragon timers |
| 7-8 | Roam and cross-map | Crash then move; keep mid warded | Use Rocketbelt + E2 to catch | High on side lanes with numbers | Deep wards on raptors/krugs |
| 9+ | Transition to side lane pressure | Side lane with TP up; hover mid on objectives | Q max for fast push then fog threaten | Medium; depends on stolen ult | Force 4-man plays on waves 9/12 |
| Mid Game (11-16) | Win skirmishes around objectives | Control river entrances; flank angles | Pick with E2 or stolen engage | High vs carries out of vision | Set vision 45–60s before spawn |
| Late Game (16+) | Teamfight execution with stolen R | Flank or front-to-back depending on R stolen | Look for pick on carries before commit | High if you reach backline and stasis | Sync TP and objective spawns |
First Back Goals
Ideal Back (1200–1500g)
- Hextech Alternator (1100g)
- Control Ward (75g)
Crash on cannon at ~4:30–4:45; keeps lane pressure and kill threat
Standard Back (800–1000g)
- Amplifying Tome (400g)
- Boots (300g)
- Control Ward (75g)
After bounce; you can contest push with movespeed + AP
Anti-Poke (1300–1500g)
- Catalyst of Aeons (1300g)
Into heavy poke lanes; base on slow push to avoid plate loss
Teamfight Tips
| Aspect | Sylas | Akali |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | AP skirmisher/engage follow | Depends: control/pick/assassin |
| Target Priority | Enemy carries without Zhonya/Flash Akali if their R is most valuable Jungler on objective start |
Sylas before he steals a critical R Your backline divers Low-MR backliners |
| Objective Control | Set vision 60s before Atakhan pit reveal (14:00) Contest Atakhan (20:00) or Baron (25:00) with stolen engage |
Secure mid prio for setup Force Sylas to group; deny flanks |
| Positioning | Flank through fog; E2 from angle; Rocketbelt to stick; stasis after engage | Fight in choke with control spells; peel Sylas off carries |
| Other Tips | If you steal a long-range engage (e.g., Orianna R), ping go-time and force objective start Use stasis after committing E2 into heavy CC comps |
Bait Sylas R with feint engages; re-engage after stolen R – Perfect Execution expires Keep control wards on flanks to spot E2 angles |