Best Akali counters in LoL

If you’re always struggling when facing Akali in LoL, we got you covered: these are the best counters you can play into her this season.

Akali counters in LoL – the three best choices

Even though LoL is a highly dynamic game, which is why so many people play it, some variables can stay fairly the same throughout time. Counters are a perfect example: some champions’ kits are designed to function better against specific team compositions but more specifically, champions. Today, we will review the best counters against one of the most slippery champions in the game: Akali.

If you’re new to League of Legends, check out our guide on how counter picks work in League of Legends. While they won’t automatically win you games, they might give you just enough edge to increase your win rate by a small margin.

Twisted Fate – the meta counter pick

The LoL counters can always change depending on the meta and a champion can become strong against specific picks if he happens to have the right numbers and itemization. Twisted Fate is part of this category, and he’s currently one of the best Akali counters out there.

Not only does he have a range advantage over Akali, but he also excels at clearing and pushing waves. Given that TF will always pressure her early on, she has little way to find lethal (find a kill). Paired with the fact that Twisted Fate can always roam faster around the map with his ultimate to help his own team, Akali can’t really do much in this matchup and will always be a sitting duck.

Galio – the traditional counter

Considering Twisted Fate is hard to master, Galio is a much easier champion that accomplishes a similar map presence with the ultimate. The main difference is that this champion will always counter Akali due to how the champion is designed: he can stop her all-ins with the knock-up (E) and taunt (W), and protect allies by granting an extra magic shield if Akali targets them.

Ever since the rework, Galio has become one of the most reliable counters in League of Legends against Akali.

Kassadin – outscaling is key

Despite Kassadin having a weak early game, he is still considered a soft counter into Akali given his late-game scaling. As long as Kassadin and his team do not allow Akali to take over the game, Kassadin will become more relevant around levels 13-14 and at least two items completed.

A great bonus during the laning phase is that Kassadin can negate part of Akali’s damage if he lands his Qs. Do not look for extended trades or the enemy will get the upper hand and look for kills to snowball.

Worst counters into Akali

Viktor – do not play him into her

Just like in most games, League of Legends counter picks can go both ways. Previously, we saw the best champions play into Akali, but it’s equally important to know which champions you should avoid. One of them is Viktor, who struggles against the Ionian champion: Akali has far too many tools and abilities to jump into Viktor’s face and assassinate him, and the control mage has no way to retaliate.

Pre-level six the matchup is still playable but after that, things get rough quickly. Teamfights are also just as hard to play, considering Akali will always look for flanks: if she can get close to you, you are likely going down.

Corki – the marksman version of Viktor

The same thing can be said about Corki, who is usually also squishier compared to Viktor. Despite having a small dash with his W, Akali has far too much reach and mobility. Not to mention that she can just mess up Corki from the start of the game, knowing that the latter has low damage early on. Unless you need these two champions to complete a specific team composition, do not pick them into Akali.

Speaking of team compositions, whenever you pick a champion try to ask yourself how it would also work against the other champions aside from the lane counter you’re choosing. Learning how classes counter one another in LoL will heavily increase your chances of victory,

How do you counter Akali items?

Counters in League of Legends do not only refer to the champions themselves, as the itemization is equally important. When facing an Akali, we always suggest stacking up a lot of magic resistance, and possibly items that are able to neutralize her burst damage potential. Below is a list of items to build depending on the class of champions:

Bruisers/AD champions: Maw of Malmortius
AP champions: Banshee’s Veil
Tanks: Kaenic Rookern

What Champion is good with Akali?

The three best champions so far are Twisted Fate, Galio, and Kassadin. There are others you can consider such as Gragas and Naafiri but they are more situational and less meta-adherent champions.

Does Ahri counter Akali?

The Ahri-Akali matchup is quite skill-based and it’s dependent on the two players’ mechanics and laning fundamentals. Ahri typically is better on short trades since she can abuse her range and hit abilities when farming, while Akali is much stronger during all-ins.