10 Best Champions To Counter Illaoi In League of Legends

Illaoi is one of the most frustrating top lane champions to deal with in League of Legends, thanks to her insane sustain, powerful tentacle-based attacks, and ability to turn fights in her favor with a well-timed ultimate. Her Test of Spirit (E) can force you into bad trades, while Leap of Faith (R) can completely destroy grouped-up enemies, making her especially dangerous in extended fights. However, while she may seem unstoppable in the right hands, there are several champions that can counter her effectively. In this article, we’ll cover the 10 best champions to counter Illaoi, breaking down why they work well against her and how you can exploit her weaknesses to win your lane.

#10: Fiora

Fiora is a strong counter to Illaoi thanks to her mobility, sustain, and ability to outplay her key abilities. Her Riposte (W) can block Illaoi’s Test of Spirit (E), preventing her from spawning tentacles on the field and avoiding unnecessary trades. Additionally, Fiora’s dash (Q) allows her to reposition quickly, making it easier to dodge tentacle slams and kite Illaoi around. Since Fiora thrives in extended duels, she can sustain through Illaoi’s damage while chipping away at her health. If played correctly, Fiora can outmaneuver Illaoi in fights, turning what should be an oppressive lane into a winnable matchup.

#9: Poppy

Poppy is an excellent counter to Illaoi because of her ability to disrupt engages and limit her mobility. Steadfast Presence (W) completely shuts down Illaoi’s dashes, preventing her from repositioning effectively in fights. Additionally, Poppy’s Heroic Charge (E) can slam Illaoi into a wall, interrupting her damage output and making it easier to win trades.

One of Poppy’s biggest strengths in this matchup is her ultimate, Keeper’s Verdict (R), which can knock Illaoi out of team fights. Since Illaoi relies on extended combat to deal damage, removing her from the fight before she can use Leap of Faith (R) takes away her biggest strength. By playing around Poppy’s crowd control and zoning tools, you can keep Illaoi from dominating the lane and shut down her impact in team fights.

#8: Gwen

Gwen is a solid counter to Illaoi, thanks to her ability to dodge tentacle damage, sustain through trades, and outscale her in extended fights. Her Hallowed Mist (W) is a game-changer in this matchup, as it makes her immune to Illaoi’s Test of Spirit (E) and tentacle slams, significantly reducing Illaoi’s ability to poke and trade effectively.

Additionally, Gwen’s sustain from Snip Snip! (Q) and passive healing allows her to survive Illaoi’s damage, making it easier to outlast her in lane. Since Illaoi thrives in stationary, drawn-out fights, Gwen’s mobility from Skip ‘n Slash (E) gives her an edge, allowing her to weave in and out of trades. Once Gwen reaches mid to late game, she can shred through Illaoi with true damage, making her one of the best champions to neutralize Illaoi’s laning phase and outscale her in fights.

#7: Yorick

Yorick is a strong counter to Illaoi due to his split-pushing potential, minion-based damage, and ability to control fights from a distance. Unlike many melee champions, Yorick doesn’t need to stand in Illaoi’s range to deal damage, as his Mist Walkers and Maiden of the Mist (R) do the work for him. This allows him to harass Illaoi without directly engaging, minimizing the impact of her tentacle slams.

One of Yorick’s biggest advantages in this matchup is his ability to trap Illaoi with Dark Procession (W). Since Illaoi relies on movement to position herself for tentacle slams and escape bad trades, Yorick’s cage can completely lock her down, forcing her into awkward fights where she can’t land her abilities effectively. Additionally, Yorick’s healing from Last Rites (Q) lets him sustain through trades, making it easier to outlast Illaoi in lane and eventually take over the split-push game. If played correctly, Yorick can completely neutralize Illaoi by forcing her to fight in unfavorable conditions and denying her opportunities to land game-changing ultimates.

#6: Tryndamere

Tryndamere is a strong counter to Illaoi due to his mobility, sustain, and ultimate ability that negates her all-in potential. His Spinning Slash (E) allows him to reposition quickly, making it easy to dodge Illaoi’s Test of Spirit (E) and tentacle slams, which are crucial to her damage output. Additionally, Tryndamere’s passive Fury grants him critical strikes, letting him trade aggressively and pressure Illaoi early.

The biggest advantage Tryndamere has in this matchup is his Undying Rage (R), which makes him unkillable for a few seconds. Since Illaoi relies on extended fights to deal massive AoE damage, Tryndamere can absorb her abilities, outlast her all-in, and finish her off once her cooldowns are expended. His ability to sustain through lane with Bloodlust (Q) and constantly threaten split-push pressure makes him a dangerous matchup for Illaoi, as she struggles against champions who can ignore her burst and continuously duel her. If played correctly, Tryndamere can consistently dodge Illaoi’s key abilities and force fights where she has no chance to win.

#5: Urgot

Urgot is a strong counter to Illaoi, thanks to his ranged poke, crowd control, and ability to outtrade her in extended fights. His Purge (W) allows him to continuously fire at Illaoi while kiting her tentacle slams, making it difficult for her to land clean trades. Additionally, his Disdain (E) can interrupt Illaoi’s Test of Spirit (E) and prevent her from getting free tentacle procs, limiting her pressure in lane.

One of Urgot’s biggest advantages in this matchup is his Fear Beyond Death (R), which can execute Illaoi once she falls below a certain threshold. Since Illaoi relies on healing and sustain to win extended fights, Urgot’s ultimate completely negates her ability to turn fights around, securing kills before she can recover. By zoning Illaoi with ranged attacks, using his shields to absorb damage, and executing her before she can sustain back into the fight, Urgot can consistently shut her down and control the lane.

#4: Kayle

Kayle is a great counter to Illaoi, thanks to her ranged advantage, scaling power, and ultimate ability that negates Illaoi’s all-in potential. Early in the game, Kayle can play safely, farming from a distance to avoid Illaoi’s tentacle slams and Test of Spirit (E). Once she reaches level 6, her ranged attacks allow her to consistently poke Illaoi without needing to engage in melee combat, making it difficult for Illaoi to land her abilities effectively.

One of Kayle’s biggest advantages in this matchup is Divine Judgment (R), which grants invulnerability, allowing her to completely negate Illaoi’s ultimate (R) and tentacle damage in critical moments. As Kayle scales into the late game, her attack speed, healing, and true damage make her a massive threat that Illaoi struggles to deal with, especially since Kayle can kite her and avoid direct combat. By playing safe early, using ranged harass, and denying Illaoi her all-in potential with Divine Judgment, Kayle can outscale and dominate the matchup with ease.

#3: Heimerdinger

Heimerdinger is an excellent counter to Illaoi because of his ranged zoning, turret-based damage, and ability to punish her lack of mobility. His H-28G Evolution Turrets (Q) allow him to control the lane, constantly poking Illaoi from a distance while forcing her to fight in unfavorable conditions. Since Illaoi struggles against ranged harass, Heimerdinger can whittle down her health before she ever gets the chance to engage.

Another key advantage is Heimerdinger’s CH-2 Electron Storm Grenade (E), which can stun or slow Illaoi, preventing her from landing her Test of Spirit (E) or tentacle slams. If she ever tries to all-in with Leap of Faith (R), Heimerdinger can drop upgraded turrets with his R-Q, allowing him to kite her while dealing massive damage over time. Because Illaoi thrives in extended melee fights, Heimerdinger’s ability to keep her at range, disrupt her combos, and punish her for engaging makes him one of the best champions to counter her in lane.

#2: Rumble

Rumble is a strong counter to Illaoi due to his consistent ranged harass, zone control, and ability to punish her lack of mobility. His Flamespitter (Q) allows him to deal sustained damage without needing to get close, making it difficult for Illaoi to land her Test of Spirit (E) or tentacle slams. Since Illaoi lacks gap-closing abilities, Rumble can poke her down before she ever gets the chance to engage.

One of Rumble’s biggest advantages is The Equalizer (R), which can completely zone Illaoi out of fights. Since Illaoi thrives in extended, stationary engagements, Rumble’s ultimate forces her to either take massive damage or reposition, making it difficult for her to play to her strengths. Additionally, Rumble’s Scrap Shield (W) provides extra durability, allowing him to survive her tentacle damage longer than most ranged champions. By abusing his ranged poke, controlling the battlefield with his abilities, and forcing Illaoi into bad trades, Rumble can consistently shut her down and dominate the lane.

#1: Kennen

Kennen is the best counter to Illaoi because of his ranged poke, mobility, and ability to control fights with crowd control. His electrical attacks allow him to chip away at Illaoi’s health from a safe distance, making it difficult for her to land Test of Spirit (E) or force extended trades. Since Illaoi relies on hitting her abilities to deal damage, Kennen’s constant movement and ranged harass keep her from ever getting into a favorable position.

One of Kennen’s biggest advantages in this matchup is his Lightning Rush (E), which gives him mobility and makes him harder to hit, allowing him to easily dodge tentacle slams and disengage from bad trades. Additionally, his Slicing Maelstrom (R) provides a massive area-of-effect stun, which can completely disrupt Illaoi’s ultimate (R), stopping her from turning fights in her favor.

Since Illaoi is weak against champions who can poke, kite, and avoid her key abilities, Kennen completely outmatches her in lane. By harassing her from range, using mobility to dodge her attacks, and controlling fights with his stuns, Kennen can consistently shut down Illaoi and prevent her from ever becoming a threat.

Conclusion

Illaoi can be a nightmare to deal with in the top lane, thanks to her high sustain, devastating AoE damage, and ability to turn fights in her favor. However, as powerful as she is, her lack of mobility and reliance on landing skill shots leave her vulnerable to champions who can poke from range, dodge her abilities, or control fights with crowd control. Champions like Kennen, Rumble, and Heimerdinger can harass her from a distance, while Vanguards like Poppy and Urgot can interrupt her engages. Others, like Fiora and Tryndamere, can outmaneuver and outlast her in extended duels. By choosing the right counterpick, dodging her key abilities, and avoiding extended fights where she thrives, you can effectively neutralize Illaoi’s impact and take control of the lane.