Combos · Jungle

Kayn combos

the Shadow Reaper

3 Kayn combos explained key by key: in which order to cast the abilities, when to use them and what each step does. The main combo is Q › AA › W. Further down: every ability's cooldown, cost and range, and the skill max order measured over ranked games.

Kayn combos

Written guide · based on the official ability texts

The trade

Q AA AA

When: An enemy is within range.

Reaping Slash dashes you then strikes, Blade's Reach damages and slows along a line.

The assassination

When: A carry is isolated behind a wall.

Shadow Step lets you pass through terrain, Umbral Trespass hides you inside the enemy then deals huge damage when you come out.

The escape

When: You need to get away.

Shadow Step lets you pass through terrain to cut off the chase.

Common mistakes

Using the ultimate on a target who cannot heal or flee.
Not choosing your form according to your situation.
Passing through terrain with no exit.

Cooldowns, costs and ranges

A combo only comes back once its abilities are off cooldown: these values (rank 1 to max rank, in seconds) tell how long to wait between two combos. Source: Data Dragon 16.19.1.

Ability	Cooldown (s)	Cost	Range
Q · Reaping Slash	7/6.5/6/5.5/5	40 Mana	350
W · Blade's Reach	13/12/11/10/9	40/45/50/55/60 Mana	700
E · Shadow Step	21/19/17/15/13	90 Mana	400
R · Umbral Trespass	120/100/80	100 Mana	550

Official ability descriptions

PassiveThe Darkin Scythe

Kayn wields an ancient weapon and fights Rhaast, the darkin within it, for control. Either the Darkin will triumph, or Kayn will master Rhaast and become the Shadow Assassin.

Darkin: Heal for a percentage of spell damage dealt to champions.

Shadow Assassin: For the first few seconds in combat with enemy champions, deal bonus damage.

QReaping Slash

Kayn dashes, then slashes. Both deal damage.

WBlade's Reach

Kayn damages and slows targets in a line.

EShadow Step

Kayn can walk through terrain.

RUmbral Trespass

Kayn hides in an enemy's body, dealing massive damage when he bursts out.

Skill order

Max order: Q > W > E51.3% · 74 games

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15
Q	●			●	●		●		●
W			●					●		●		●	●
E		●												●	●
R						●					●

The order shows which abilities reach rank 5 first; the grid shows the most-played level-up sequence with that order (measured over 99 games).

Riot's official tips for playing Kayn

Look at the line-up of both your team and the enemy's team when picking your form.
Remember that nearby enemies can see which wall you're in.

How to play around Kayn's combos

Umbral Trespass requires Kayn to damage a target first. Try to dodge Blade's Reach to deny him a long range cast of Umbral Trespass.
When Kayn is in terrain near you, you will get a visual warning on the edge of the terrain he's in.
Damage Kayn while he's in Shadow Step to shorten its duration, or apply hard crowd control (stun, charm, knockup, etc) to end Shadow Step immediately.

Frequently asked questions

What is Kayn's main combo?

The trade: Q › AA › W. An enemy is within range. Reaping Slash dashes you then strikes, Blade's Reach damages and slows along a line.

Which ability should I max first on Kayn?

The most-played max order is Q > W > E (74 games, 51.3% win rate).

What is the cooldown of Kayn's ultimate?

Umbral Trespass has a 120/100/80 second cooldown depending on its rank.

Build, runes and counters: full Kayn guide · every champion's combos · tier list