UpMatched 
Sylas
Mid Lane AP Skirmisher
The Unshackled — melee AP skirmisher who steals ultimates
VS
Orianna
Mid Lane Control Mage
Ball control mage with zone control and shockwave
Matchup Dynamics
How This Matchup Works
Win by trading on your terms: dodge E – Command: Protect with E1, connect E2, then W for sustain. The lane pivots at level 6 when R – Hijack steals R – Command: Shockwave and lets you mirror their play pattern.
Early Game (1-5)
Orianna Favored - Orianna controls space early (1–6); respect ranged harass and hold wave near tower; farm with Q – Chain Lash (10–6s) until a jungler window.
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+)
Skill Matchup - Both trade windows hinge on jungle pressure and wave state late (19–35+); track summoners and play around stolen R options.
Key Interactions
- Dodge/Punish Orianna's key CC: Buffer E1 of E – Abscond/Abduct during E – Command: Protect wind-up; sidestep then re-activate E2 to latch; trade immediately with W – Kingslayer for heal.
- Steal & mirror R – Command: Shockwave: Use R – Hijack to take R – Command: Shockwave; 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 – Command: Attack 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
Orianna
Strengths
- Orianna can leverage range/CC to control first push and chip
- Orianna punishes Sylas' E2 window with peel or displacement
- Orianna often out-prioritizes early river with faster shove
- Orianna'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 – Command: Shockwave 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
Orianna'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 | Orianna |
|---|---|---|
| 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 – Command: Attack; 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 – Command: Protect or W – Command: Dissonance; 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 – Command: Protect 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 – Command: Attack; recall on bounce for components; drop Control Ward at 4:00 river. |
| Level 6 | Steal R – Command: Shockwave; 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 – Command: Shockwave; 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 | Orianna | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 – Command: Attack + E – Command: Protect online |
| 6 | Major R – Hijack steals R – Command: Shockwave; mirror engage or disengage to win skirmishes | 6 | Major R – Command: Shockwave 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 | Orianna | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
Orianna Escape/Counter Combo:
Q – Command: Attack > W – Command: Dissonance > E – Command: Protect > R – Command: Shockwave (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
Orianna Quick Trade:
Q – Command: Attack from max range then step back; hold E – Command: Protect to interrupt Sylas E2; disengage if Sylas steals R – Command: Shockwave
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
- Orianna 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 | Orianna |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | AP skirmisher/engage follow | Depends: control/pick/assassin |
| Target Priority | Enemy carries without Zhonya/Flash Orianna 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 – Command: Shockwave expires Keep control wards on flanks to spot E2 angles |