10 Best Champions To Counter Ryze In League of Legends

Ryze is a powerful mage in League of Legends, known for his strong scaling, high burst damage, and exceptional map control with Realm Warp (R). His ability to spam abilities with low cooldowns makes him a dangerous champion in both duels and team fights. With Overload (Q) for high burst damage, Rune Prison (W) for crowd control, and Spell Flux (E) for wave-clearing and spreading his damage, Ryze can dominate lanes and control objectives. However, despite his strengths, Ryze has clear weaknesses that the right champions can exploit, such as his short range, vulnerability to crowd control, and reliance on scaling. Whether you’re looking for champions who can burst him down early, out-range him in fights, or lock him down with CC, there are plenty of ways to shut him down. In this article, we’ll explore the 10 best champions to counter Ryze and prevent him from taking over the game.

#10: Azir

Azir is a strong counter to Ryze due to his superior range, poke damage, and ability to control fights from a distance. Ryze relies on short-range abilities and quick spell rotations, but Azir’s Arise! (W) allows him to summon Sand Soldiers that outrange Ryze and deal consistent poke damage without getting too close. Additionally, Shifting Sands (E) gives Azir a reliable escape tool, making it difficult for Ryze to lock him down with Rune Prison (W). The biggest counter to Ryze is Emperor’s Divide (R), which knocks him away when he tries to engage, disrupting his combos and preventing him from dealing full damage. Since Ryze struggles against long-range champions who can poke him down and disengage easily, Azir forces him into a matchup where he has difficulty trading and scaling effectively.

#9: Viktor

Viktor is a strong counter to Ryze due to his superior wave clear, range advantage, and ability to punish Ryze’s short-range trades. Ryze relies on quick spell rotations and close-range burst damage, but Viktor’s Death Ray (E) allows him to poke Ryze from a safe distance, making it difficult for him to engage or farm safely. Additionally, Gravity Field (W) provides a zoning tool that can stun Ryze, preventing him from freely using Rune Prison (W) and Overload (Q) combos. The biggest counter to Ryze is Chaos Storm (R), which deals high AoE burst damage and follows Ryze, making it difficult for him to escape or reposition in fights. Since Ryze struggles against mages who can outrange him, control space, and burst him before he can scale, Viktor forces him into a matchup where he has difficulty safely farming and executing his full combo.

#8: Orianna

Orianna is a strong counter to Ryze due to her range, zoning tools, and ability to control fights from a distance. Ryze relies on short-range spell combos, but Orianna’s Command: Attack (Q) and Command: Dissonance (W) allow her to poke and kite him from a safe distance, making it difficult for him to find favorable trades. Additionally, Command: Protect (E) provides a shield, mitigating Ryze’s burst damage and making it harder for him to secure kills. The biggest counter to Ryze is Command: Shockwave (R), which can disrupt his all-ins and prevent him from escaping with Realm Warp (R). Since Ryze struggles against mages who can outrange him, poke him down, and control space, Orianna forces him into a matchup where he has difficulty engaging and scaling effectively.

#7: Ahri

Ahri is a strong counter to Ryze due to her mobility, crowd control, and ability to poke him down safely. Ryze relies on close-range spell rotations, but Ahri’s Orb of Deception (Q) allows her to poke him from a safe distance, making it difficult for him to trade effectively. Additionally, Charm (E) disrupts his all-in attempts, preventing him from chaining Rune Prison (W) and Overload (Q) for burst damage. The biggest counter to Ryze is Spirit Rush (R), which gives Ahri three dashes, allowing her to easily dodge Ryze’s abilities and chase him down when he tries to escape. Since Ryze struggles against mobile champions who can poke, disengage, and burst him down before he can scale, Ahri forces him into a matchup where he has difficulty landing his combos and controlling trades.

#6: LeBlanc

LeBlanc is a strong counter to Ryze due to her high mobility, burst damage, and ability to dodge his abilities. Ryze relies on short-range spell combos, but LeBlanc’s Distortion (W) allows her to jump in, trade, and quickly reposition, making it difficult for Ryze to land Rune Prison (W) and Overload (Q). Additionally, Sigil of Malice (Q) and Ethereal Chains (E) give her strong poke and lockdown, preventing Ryze from safely farming and scaling. The biggest counter to Ryze is Mimic (R), which allows LeBlanc to amplify her burst damage, quickly eliminating Ryze before he can react. Since Ryze struggles against high-mobility champions who can burst him down and avoid his crowd control, LeBlanc forces him into a matchup where he has difficulty trading effectively and surviving in lane.

#5: Sylas

Sylas is a strong counter to Ryze due to his sustain, mobility, and ability to steal Ryze’s ultimate. Ryze relies on quick spell rotations and burst damage, but Sylas’s Kingslayer (W) provides healing, allowing him to sustain through trades and outlast Ryze in fights. Additionally, Abscond/Abduct (E) gives Sylas a dash and a stun, making it difficult for Ryze to kite him or escape. The biggest counter to Ryze is Hijack (R), which allows Sylas to steal Realm Warp (Ryze’s R) and use it for better positioning, engaging, or escaping. Since Ryze struggles against mobile champions who can sustain through his damage, lock him down, and turn his own abilities against him, Sylas forces him into a matchup where he has trouble trading and controlling fights.

#4: Zoe

Zoe is a strong counter to Ryze due to her long-range poke, burst potential, and ability to punish his short-range trades. Ryze relies on close-range spell rotations, but Zoe’s Paddle Star (Q) allows her to deal massive damage from a safe distance, making it difficult for Ryze to engage without taking heavy poke. Additionally, Sleepy Trouble Bubble (E) can catch Ryze off guard and set up an easy burst combo, preventing him from using Rune Prison (W) or escaping with Realm Warp (R). The biggest counter to Ryze is Spell Thief (W), which can steal summoner spells or active items, giving Zoe extra mobility or damage to outplay Ryze in fights. Since Ryze struggles against long-range burst mages who can poke him down and control fights from a distance, Zoe forces him into a matchup where he has difficulty trading, engaging, and safely farming.

#3: Ekko

Ekko is a strong counter to Ryze due to his mobility, burst damage, and ability to outplay Ryze’s combos. Ryze relies on short-range spell rotations, but Ekko’s Phase Dive (E) allows him to dodge Ryze’s abilities and quickly engage or disengage, making it difficult for Ryze to land Rune Prison (W) and Overload (Q) effectively. Additionally, Timewinder (Q) provides poke and wave clear, allowing Ekko to keep up in farm without needing to commit to risky trades. The biggest counter to Ryze is Chronobreak (R), which lets Ekko heal, reposition, and negate Ryze’s burst damage, making it incredibly hard for Ryze to win extended trades. Since Ryze struggles against mobile assassins who can burst him down and avoid his crowd control, Ekko forces him into a matchup where he has difficulty landing abilities and scaling effectively.

#2: Fizz

Fizz is a strong counter to Ryze due to his high burst damage, mobility, and ability to dodge Ryze’s abilities. Ryze relies on short-range spell rotations and sustained damage, but Fizz’s Playful/Trickster (E) allows him to dodge Ryze’s Rune Prison (W) and Overload (Q), making it hard for Ryze to land his full combo. Additionally, Urchin Strike (Q) gives Fizz a gap closer, letting him quickly engage and burst Ryze before he can react. The biggest counter to Ryze is Chum the Waters (R), which slows Ryze, knocks him up, and amplifies Fizz’s burst damage, ensuring an easy all-in kill once Fizz gets ahead. Since Ryze struggles against mobile assassins who can dodge his crowd control, burst him down quickly, and prevent him from scaling, Fizz forces him into a matchup where he has little room to farm safely or fight back.

#1: Kassadin

Kassadin is the best counter to Ryze due to his innate magic resistance, superior scaling, and mobility. Ryze relies on short-range spell rotations and magic damage, but Kassadin’s Void Stone (Passive) grants him bonus magic resistance and shields from his Null Sphere (Q), making it difficult for Ryze to deal meaningful damage. Additionally, Force Pulse (E) provides crowd control, slowing Ryze and preventing him from kiting effectively. The biggest counter to Ryze is Riftwalk (R), which allows Kassadin to continuously reposition, dodge Ryze’s skill shots, and chase him down in extended fights. Since Ryze struggles against anti-mage champions who can absorb his damage, outscale him, and use superior mobility, Kassadin forces him into a matchup where he has little kill pressure and will eventually be outclassed in the late game.

Conclusion

Ryze may be a powerful late-game mage with strong burst and map control, but the right champions can shut him down and limit his impact. High-mobility assassins like Fizz, Ekko, and LeBlanc can dodge his abilities, burst him down, and prevent him from scaling. Long-range mages like Zoe, Orianna, and Viktor can poke him from a safe distance and deny him favorable trades. Scaling champions like Kassadin and Sylas can absorb his damage early and outscale him in the mid-to-late game. By picking champions who can outrange, outmaneuver, or outscale Ryze, you can force him into a difficult matchup where he struggles to farm, trade effectively, and take control of the game.