League of Legends: Best Kassadin Counter Picks Champions

Kassadin is strong in the late game but has weaknesses early on, like needing a lot of mana and being weak against physical attacks. In this guide, we’ll look at the best champions to counter Kassadin in mid-lane: Naafiri, Pantheon, Jayce, Zed, Yasuo, Vex, Yone, Tristana, Akshan, and Lucian. We’ll show you how to use Kassadin’s weaknesses to your advantage and win your lane.

#10: Naafiri

Naafiri is a strong pick against Kassadin’s vulnerable early game. Her ability, Darkin Daggers, allows her to harass Kassadin from a distance, making it hard for him to farm safely. If Kassadin steps forward to farm, Naafiri can use Eviscerate to swiftly engage and inflict significant damage.

After reaching level 6, should Kassadin use his ultimate offensively, Naafiri can match his mobility and continue the assault. During team fights, Naafiri’s ultimate, The Call of the Pack, lets her quickly maneuver past frontline champions to target Kassadin directly, often forcing him to use his defensive abilities earlier than he would like.

#9: Jayce

Jayce excels in countering Kassadin through his versatile abilities. During the laning phase, Jayce’s ranged attacks and Shock Blast provide constant harassment, especially as Kassadin tries to farm. Should Kassadin try to engage, Jayce can quickly switch to hammer form and use To the Skies! to create distance with a strategic knockback.

Upon Kassadin gaining his level 6 power spike, Jayce’s combination of Acceleration Gate and Shock Blast allows him to maintain pressure without getting too close. In team fights, Jayce’s ability to deliver sustained poke can significantly reduce Kassadin’s health before a full engagement, and the mobility from Acceleration Gate aids his team in either kiting back or pursuing enemies effectively.

#8: Pantheon

Pantheon excels at subduing Kassadin right from the early stages of the game. With his Shield Vault (W), Pantheon can effectively disrupt Kassadin’s farming attempts by stunning him as he moves in to last-hit, quickly following up with his Comet Spear (Q) to inflict substantial damage. Thanks to Pantheon’s passive, Mortal Will, he can absorb and negate Kassadin’s Null Sphere (Q), allowing for advantageous trades.

Should Kassadin use his Force Pulse (E) in an attempt to farm or engage, Pantheon can counter quickly with his Shield Vault, taking advantage of Kassadin’s positioning. Beyond level 6, Pantheon’s Grand Starfall (R) presents a constant threat, forcing Kassadin to remain cautious and significantly hampering his mobility and ability to impact other lanes or engage with his jungler effectively.

#7: Yasuo

Yasuo’s abilities make him a formidable adversary for Kassadin at all stages of the game. His passive grants a protective shield that absorbs the damage from Kassadin’s Null Sphere, reducing its harassing effectiveness. Yasuo can aggressively engage Kassadin in lane by utilizing his Sweeping Blade (E) to maneuver through minion waves, enabling him to both harass Kassadin and evade his Force Pulse.

Yasuo’s ability to clear waves rapidly often forces Kassadin to farm under his tower, a scenario where Kassadin’s weaker early performance may lead to a loss in crucial CS. During team fights, Yasuo’s Wind Wall (W) can intercept Kassadin’s Force Pulse, cutting down his area-of-effect damage and utility. Furthermore, if Yasuo catches Kassadin with a knock-up, he can immediately follow with his Last Breath (R), effectively isolating and potentially eliminating Kassadin from the skirmish.

#6: Zed

Zed’s reliance on energy rather than mana enables him to maintain high pressure on Kassadin from the start. Early on, Zed can skillfully utilize his Living Shadow (W) to set up advantageous trade scenarios, catching Kassadin off-guard. When Kassadin approaches to farm with basic attacks, Zed can swiftly retaliate with a combination of Razor Shuriken (Q) and Shadow Slash (E) to deal substantial damage.

Upon gaining access to his ultimate, Death Mark (R) at level 6, Zed poses a relentless threat, often forcing Kassadin into defensive itemization. During teamfights, Zed’s mobility allows him to target Kassadin effectively, utilizing Living Shadow to close the distance and continue the pursuit if Kassadin uses Riftwalk to escape. This strategic positioning and persistent aggression make Zed a formidable counter to Kassadin.

#5: Yone

Yone’s ability to deal hybrid damage complicates Kassadin’s defensive build options significantly. During laning, Yone can leverage his Mortal Steel (Q) to maintain distance while still poking Kassadin, and his Soul Unbound (E) allows him to engage deeply then retreat without reprisal. If Kassadin opts to use Riftwalk offensively, Yone can immediately respond with his Spirit Cleave (W) to generate a protective shield and deal return damage.

In larger skirmishes, Yone’s Fate Sealed (R) provides a powerful initiation tool that can catch Kassadin unprepared and disrupt his positioning before he can utilize Riftwalk effectively. Yone’s ability to sustain damage output in prolonged encounters also naturally counters Kassadin’s preference for quick, bursty exchanges, posing a significant challenge if Kassadin fails to eliminate a target quickly.

#4: Akshan

Akshan presents a unique challenge to Kassadin with his agility and ability to skirmish effectively from early game onward. In lane, Akshan uses his Avengerang (Q) to poke and farm safely, pressuring Kassadin who struggles to match his wave clear. Akshan’s Heroic Swing (E) allows him to dodge Kassadin’s abilities with ease, especially the predictable path of Kassadin’s Force Pulse (E), and to reposition quickly during fights.

Once Akshan hits level 6, his ultimate, Comeuppance (R), can be a decisive tool against Kassadin. If Kassadin tries to escape with Riftwalk, Akshan can lock on with his ultimate for significant damage across great distances, keeping Kassadin within kill threshold even after he flees. In teamfights, Akshan’s mobility and stealth from Going Rogue (W) make him difficult for Kassadin to target, while allowing Akshan to pick off vulnerable targets, including Kassadin himself, disrupting his ability to dive the backline effectively.

#3: Vex

Vex excels at countering Kassadin’s high mobility thanks to her kit, especially her passive, Doom ‘n Gloom, which fears Kassadin each time he activates Riftwalk. During the laning phase, Vex can use her Mistral Bolt (Q) for consistent poke as Kassadin comes forward to farm. Should Kassadin close in for trades, Vex’s Personal Space (W) not only damages but also shields her, thwarting his burst attempts. Moreover, her ultimate, Shadow Surge (R), is perfect for tracking Kassadin post-Riftwalk, ensuring he cannot escape fights easily. In larger skirmishes, Vex’s Looming Darkness (E) disrupts Kassadin’s ability to dive effectively, keeping her and her allies safer in the backline.

#2: Tristana

Tristana is a formidable counter to Kassadin due to her explosive burst and escape capabilities. In lane, her ability to rapidly push waves with Explosive Charge (E) forces Kassadin to farm under his turret, where he struggles. Tristana’s Rocket Jump (W) not only provides a reliable escape from Kassadin’s slow engage but can also be used aggressively to capitalize on his cooldowns. When Kassadin attempts to Riftwalk in for a burst, Tristana can counter with Buster Shot (R) to knock him back and disrupt his positioning. In teamfights, Tristana’s range and mobility allow her to maintain distance from Kassadin, making it hard for him to target her without risking his own position. Her sustained damage output also ensures that she can outlast Kassadin in longer skirmishes, where his burst might falter.

#1: Lucian

Lucian is an excellent counter to Kassadin thanks to his mobility and early game strength. In lane, Lucian can use Piercing Light (Q) and Ardent Blaze (W) to harass Kassadin from a safe distance, preventing him from farming comfortably. If Kassadin tries to close the gap with Riftwalk, Lucian’s Relentless Pursuit (E) allows him to quickly reposition, maintaining distance and continuing to deal damage. Lucian’s ability to rapidly burst with The Culling (R) is particularly effective against Kassadin before he can build significant defenses. In team fights, Lucian’s mobility and sustained damage output make him a continuous threat to Kassadin, who struggles to lock down this elusive marksman without risking significant retaliation.

Conclusion

Countering Kassadin effectively requires choosing champions that can exploit his weak early game and manage his potent late-game mobility. The champions discussed—Naafiri, Jayce, Pantheon, Yasuo, Zed, Yone, Akshan, Vex, Tristana, and Lucian—each bring unique abilities and strategies that can dominate Kassadin in lane and prevent him from scaling into a larger threat. By understanding and leveraging these matchups, players can minimize Kassadin’s impact and secure a strategic advantage in their games. Whether through relentless harassment, superior mobility, or disruptive crowd control, mastering these counters will enhance your ability to handle one of League of Legends’ most daunting late-game champions.