10 Best Champions To Counter Akali In League of Legends

Akali is a highly mobile assassin who excels at bursting down squishy targets, dodging abilities with her Shroud (W), and outplaying enemies with her dashes. Her kit makes her one of the most slippery champions in the game, allowing her to weave in and out of fights while dealing massive damage. However, Akali struggles against champions who can reveal her inside her shroud, apply crowd control to stop her from dashing, or outdamage her in extended fights.

To counter Akali, you need champions that can track her movements, force her out of her shroud, or punish her aggressive playstyle. Whether you’re playing mid lane or jungle, choosing the right counter can make it much harder for Akali to snowball and take over the game.

In this article, we’ll go over the 10 best champions to counter Akali, explaining why they work well against her and how to shut her down in lane and team fights.

#10: Olaf

Olaf is a strong counter to Akali because his true damage, sustain, and immunity to crowd control allow him to fight her head-on without worrying about her shroud or mobility. Akali relies on weaving in and out of fights using Twilight Shroud (W) and dashes, but Olaf’s Ragnarok (R) makes him immune to slows and crowd control, letting him stick to her no matter how much she tries to escape.

Additionally, Undertow (Q) lets him continuously slow Akali, making it difficult for her to reposition in fights, and Vicious Strikes (W) grants him lifesteal, allowing him to sustain through her burst damage. Since Akali is squishy and relies on extended fights, Olaf can easily trade with her and force her to retreat.

The key to beating Akali as Olaf is to play aggressively, run her down with Ragnarok, and build anti-burst items like Death’s Dance or Maw of Malmortius. With true damage, high sustain, and the ability to chase her down through her mobility, Olaf is a great pick to shut down Akali in fights.

#9: Annie

Annie is a strong counter to Akali because her point-and-click stun, high burst damage, and simple playstyle make it easy to shut Akali down before she can escape. Akali relies on dashing around fights and using Twilight Shroud (W) to avoid damage, but Annie’s Pyromania (Passive) guarantees a stun, making it impossible for Akali to dodge her full combo.

Additionally, Summon: Tibbers (R) is an instant burst ability, meaning even if Akali tries to shroud, she will still take massive damage. Since Akali is a squishy champion with no sustain, Annie can force trades and poke her down with Disintegrate (Q) and Incinerate (W), making it difficult for her to stay in lane.

The key to beating Akali as Annie is to save your stun for when she tries to engage, use Tibbers to apply constant burn damage, and force fights where she can’t escape. Building Everfrost for extra crowd control or Zhonya’s Hourglass for survivability makes Annie even stronger in this matchup. With easy-to-use CC, high burst damage, and strong lane presence, Annie is a great pick to counter Akali in the mid lane.

#8: Malzahar

Malzahar is one of the best counters to Akali because his passive shield, point-and-click suppression, and damage-over-time abilities make it extremely difficult for her to play aggressively. Akali relies on quick engages and dashes to burst down enemies, but Malzahar’s Void Shift (Passive) absorbs her first attack or ability, forcing her to waste cooldowns before she can deal real damage.

Additionally, Nether Grasp (R) is a suppression ability that completely locks Akali down, preventing her from dashing or escaping with Twilight Shroud (W). Even if she tries to shroud, Malefic Visions (E) and Call of the Void (Q) continue dealing damage, revealing her position and forcing her out of stealth.

The key to beating Akali as Malzahar is to play safe early, use Void Shift to absorb her poke, and punish her with Nether Grasp as soon as she jumps in. Building Liandry’s Anguish for burn damage or Zhonya’s Hourglass for survivability makes Malzahar even harder for Akali to deal with. With his suppression, anti-burst tools, and damage-over-time abilities, Malzahar is a great pick to counter Akali in the mid lane.

#7: Garen

Garen is a great counter to Akali because his natural tankiness, silence, and execute damage make it difficult for her to fight him effectively. Akali relies on dashing in and out of fights, but Garen’s Decisive Strike (Q) silences her, preventing her from using abilities or escaping with Twilight Shroud (W). This gives him an easy trade where she can’t fight back.

Additionally, Judgment (E) deals consistent damage in an area, meaning Akali can’t hide inside her shroud to avoid damage. Since Garen naturally builds tank items and has strong sustain with Perseverance (Passive), Akali struggles to burst him down. If she drops low, Demacian Justice (R) executes her, preventing her from healing back up or escaping with her mobility.

The key to beating Akali as Garen is to play aggressively, use your silence to stop her combos, and force trades where she can’t escape. Building Stridebreaker for mobility or Force of Nature for magic resistance makes him even harder for Akali to deal with. With high durability, strong sustain, and an execute to finish her off, Garen is one of the best champions to counter Akali in the top lane.

#6: Riven

Riven is a strong counter to Akali because her mobility, shield, and high burst damage allow her to trade effectively and punish Akali’s weaknesses. Akali relies on quick engages and dashes to burst enemies, but Riven’s Valor (E) gives her a shield, allowing her to absorb poke damage and outtrade Akali in fights.

Additionally, Riven’s Broken Wings (Q) and Ki Burst (W) let her engage and lock Akali down, preventing her from dashing freely. If Akali tries to escape inside Twilight Shroud (W), Riven’s high mobility and area-of-effect damage allow her to keep pressure on, making it harder for Akali to reposition safely. Since Riven excels in extended trades, she can sustain better than Akali in fights and force her out of lane.

The key to beating Akali as Riven is to play aggressively, use your shield to absorb her poke, and lock her down before she can dash away. Building Eclipse for sustain or Maw of Malmortius for magic resistance makes her even stronger in this matchup. With high mobility, strong burst, and crowd control, Riven is a solid counter to Akali in the top lane.

#5: Morgana

Morgana is a strong counter to Akali because her Black Shield (E) blocks Akali’s crowd control and burst, making it difficult for her to secure kills. Akali relies on engaging with her dashes and landing her crowd control from Perfect Execution (R), but Morgana’s spell shield negates these effects, allowing her or her teammates to survive Akali’s all-in attempts.

Additionally, Dark Binding (Q) is a long-duration root, making it easy to catch Akali before she can escape inside Twilight Shroud (W). Even if Akali tries to hide in her shroud, Tormented Shadow (W) continuously deals damage, revealing her position and forcing her out. Since Akali has no sustain, Morgana can poke her down over time and deny her opportunities to engage.

The key to beating Akali as Morgana is to position safely, use Black Shield at the right moment, and punish her with long-range Dark Bindings. Building Zhonya’s Hourglass to survive her burst or Liandry’s Anguish for extra poke makes Morgana even stronger in this matchup. With anti-CC protection, strong poke, and deadly crowd control, Morgana is a great pick to counter Akali in the mid lane.

#4: Renekton

Renekton is a strong counter to Akali because his early-game dominance, sustain, and crowd control allow him to punish her before she scales into a threat. Akali relies on mobility and short trades, but Renekton’s Ruthless Predator (W) stuns her, preventing her from dashing away or escaping into Twilight Shroud (W).

Additionally, Cull the Meek (Q) provides sustain and AoE damage, letting Renekton outheal Akali’s poke while dealing damage even if she tries to hide in her shroud. Since Akali struggles against champions who can outtrade her in short fights, Renekton can engage aggressively, heal through her damage, and force her out of lane. Once he reaches level 6, Dominus (R) gives him extra health and damage, making it even harder for Akali to fight him.

The key to beating Akali as Renekton is to play aggressively in the early game, use your stun to lock her down, and force trades where she can’t escape. Building Goredrinker for sustain or Maw of Malmortius for magic resistance makes him even stronger in this matchup. With early-game pressure, strong dueling potential, and reliable crowd control, Renekton is one of the best champions to counter Akali in the top lane.

#3: Lissandra

Lissandra is a great counter to Akali because her hard crowd control, area-of-effect abilities, and survivability make it difficult for Akali to execute her usual burst-and-escape playstyle. Akali relies on dashing in and out of fights with her mobility, but Lissandra’s Ring of Frost (W) roots her in place, preventing her from escaping or using her shroud effectively.

Additionally, Glacial Path (E) allows Lissandra to reposition quickly, making it harder for Akali to land her skill shots. If Akali goes all-in, Frozen Tomb (R) completely shuts her down, either by self-casting for survivability or using it offensively to stun Akali, giving Lissandra’s team an easy follow-up kill. Since Akali relies on Twilight Shroud (W) to escape or reposition, Lissandra’s AoE abilities ensure she still takes damage even while hidden.

The key to beating Akali as Lissandra is to play patiently, wait for her to engage, and punish her with crowd control before she can escape. Building Everfrost for extra CC or Zhonya’s Hourglass for survivability makes her even harder for Akali to deal with. With multiple forms of CC, strong team fight presence, and defensive tools, Lissandra is one of the best champions to counter Akali in the mid lane.

#2: Galio

Galio is a strong counter to Akali because his magic resistance, crowd control, and ability to disrupt assassins make it extremely difficult for her to execute her combos. Akali relies on bursting down squishy targets, but Galio’s Shield of Durand (W) reduces incoming magic damage, allowing him to shrug off her poke and burst attempts.

Additionally, Justice Punch (E) and Shield of Durand (W) provide reliable crowd control, making it easy to lock Akali down before she can dash away. If she tries to hide in Twilight Shroud (W), Galio can still damage her with his area-of-effect abilities, preventing her from repositioning safely. Once he reaches level 6, Hero’s Entrance (R) lets him protect teammates from Akali’s dives, turning fights against her.

The key to beating Akali as Galio is to play aggressively, use your CC to prevent her from dashing, and take advantage of your tankiness to absorb her damage. Building Mercury’s Treads for tenacity and Abyssal Mask for extra magic resistance makes him even harder for Akali to deal with. With high durability, anti-magic tools, and strong engage, Galio is one of the best champions to counter Akali in the mid lane.

#1: Lee Sin

Lee Sin is the best counter to Akali because his high mobility, vision-revealing abilities, and strong early-game pressure make it nearly impossible for her to play aggressively. Akali relies on Twilight Shroud (W) to reposition and avoid damage, but Lee Sin’s Tempest (E) reveals stealthed enemies, completely negating one of her strongest defensive tools.

Additionally, Lee Sin’s Sonic Wave (Q) allows him to chase Akali down even if she tries to dash away, making her usual hit-and-run playstyle ineffective. If she engages, Safeguard (W) gives Lee Sin a shield, allowing him to absorb her burst damage and outtrade her. Once Lee Sin reaches level 6, Dragon’s Rage (R) can kick Akali away from fights or into his team, shutting down her assassination attempts.

The key to beating Akali as Lee Sin is to stay aggressive early, track her movements with vision, and use Tempest to reveal her in fights. Building Goredrinker for sustain or Maw of Malmortius for magic resistance makes him even harder for Akali to burst down. With vision denial, strong engage, and powerful early-game presence, Lee Sin is the best champion to counter Akali in both jungle and lane fights.

Conclusion

Akali is a slippery assassin with high burst damage and mobility, but she struggles against champions who can reveal her in Twilight Shroud (W), lock her down with crowd control, or out-sustain her in extended fights. Lee Sin, Galio, and Lissandra are some of the best picks against her, as they can shut down her mobility and prevent her from escaping fights. Bruisers like Renekton, Riven, and Garen can outtrade her in lane and punish her early-game weaknesses, while mages like Malzahar, Morgana, and Annie can stop her from engaging with their CC and defensive abilities.

The key to beating Akali is to pressure her early, force her out of lane before she scales, and use vision-revealing abilities or AoE damage to limit her effectiveness in fights. If she falls behind, she loses her ability to snowball, making her much easier to deal with. By picking one of these 10 counters, you can keep Akali in check and prevent her from taking over the game.