Caitlyn Build Guide by Vaivoria

Introducing Caitlyn, the Sherriff of Piltover

Caitlyn, the Sherriff of Piltover, is an amazing ranged-attack champion that packs a huge punch and has a very strong presence in-lane. My username is Kentan. Including Normal and Rated Games, I have won over six-hundred matches as Caitlyn and she has been my main champion for over a year.

This guide was built to be straight-forward and easy to understand - explanations are only added where necessary. The following sections of this Concise Guide to Caitlyn will endeavor to highlight some of her best attributes and greatest pit-falls, and pass on my gaming-experience.

Advantages and Disadvantages

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Advantages • Long attack range • High damage output • Rudimentary snare ability • Escape ability

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Disadvantages • Abilities are not as effective late-game • Mana shortage during early-game phase • Popular target for the enemy team • Can die very very easily • Ace in the Hole is easily thwarted

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A Sniper's Arsenal

Caitlyn has a versatile arsenal of abilities that will deal a reasonable amount of damage and allow her to ensnare or escape her enemy. In a nutshell, you will want to max Piltover Peacemaker first, Yordle Snap Trap second, and 90 Caliber Net third. Take Ace in the Hole at Levels 6, 11, and 16, respectively.

Headshot: Every few basic attacks, Caitlyn will fire a headshot dealing 150% damage to a champion or 250% damage to a minion. Attacks from the brush will count as two instead of one. Use this ability to harass enemy champions and last-hit minions.


Piltover Peacemaker: Caitlyn revs up her rifle for one second to unleash a penetrating skill-shot that deals physical damage (deals less damage to subsequent targets).



Yordle Snap Trap: When sprung, the trap immobilizes the champion, reveals them for a short duration, and deals magic damage over 1.5 seconds. The yordle snap trap will take about a second to set up. DURING THIS DOWNTIME IT WILL NOT TRIGGER! Anticipate your opponents’ course and place the trap accordingly.


90 Caliber Net: This ability is useful for closing the gap between you and your target and propelling yourself over 'slender' obstacles. Click the following link for detailed information on the 90 Caliber Net. Full credit to ReignofLoL - Thanks for the video! YouTube [1]


Ace in the Hole: Caitlyn takes time to line up the perfect shot, dealing massive damage to a single target at a huge range. Enemy champions can intercept the bullet for their ally. Also, some abilities will cancel out Caitlyn's Ace in the Hole. Silvir's Spell Shield ability for example will absorb Ace in the Hole to prevent any damage.

Summoner Spells

The following spells are used extensively in bottom lane to minimise the threat of death and change an ensuing confrontation in your favour.

The distance afforded by your 90 Caliber Net is not always enough to save your life, or to close the gap between you and your target. Flash could help you with these problems and is particularly useful for steal and quick-kill situations, where you need to jump over a wall and high-tail it back in quick succession.

This spell may help you to close the gap between you and your target and give you the boost you need to get away from a confrontation.
This spell is tremendously useful as it can cripple an assailant for a short time, allowing you to get away or pick up the kill.



Combined with Summoner's Resolve , this spell will restore 110-627 Health to you and half to nearby allies. Extremely useful in a pinch, this spell will help everyone in your team, including you, to survive a confrontation.


This spell will deal a crippling blow to champions that rely heavily on their health regeneration. such as Swain, Dr. Mundo, and Volibear, and help you to finish off your opponent(s).


This spell will ensure you get back to your lane as quickly as possible, which may give you an advantage over your opponent.

Runes and Masteries

R U N E S

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You will spend a huge portion of your time in bottom lane duking-it-out with the enemy ranged-attack champion. Your runes and masteries ought to prepare you for this, and give you the best possible chance to win in your lane. • Greater Quintessence of Desolation: These runes will give you the foundation you need to deal out maximum damage from the outset of the match. Alternative choice(s): Greater Quintessence of Health or Greater Quintessence of Attack Damage if you feel you need more Health or Attack Damage. • Greater Mark of Desolation: Alternative choice(s): Greater Mark of Attack Damage if you feel you need more Attack Damage. • Greater Seal of Armor: Armour is particularly useful for duking-it-out with your counterpart in lane and will help you to withstand physical attacks from the enemy team throughout the course of the match. Alternative choice(s): Greater Seal of Scaling Mana Regeneration to quench your thirst for mana during the early-game phase. • Greater Glyph of Attack Speed: Caitlyn’s Headshot ability will benefit from the added attack-speed bonus and you will be able to take offensive-action more quickly. Alternative choice(s): Greater Glyph of Scaling Mana Regeneration to quench your thirst for mana during the early-game phase.

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R U N E S

M A S T E R I E S

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This is a standard mastery setup for a ranged-attack champion. It will help you to fulfill your duty as a damage power-house throughout the duration of the game. I have only added explanations where it pertains to the use of Defence Masteries. • Summoner's Resolve : This mastery will supplement the effect of Heal to restore more Health - handy if you plan on taking Heal. • Hardiness : This master is extremely useful during the early-game phase to negate the damage of your counterpart. Combined with the Greater Seal of Armor you will start the game with around thirty-six (36) armour. • Durability will give you a moderate health boost late-game, which will enable you to take more damage. • Veteran's Scars Extra Health will give you more staying-power in-lane and allow you to keep doling out damage as you see fit. Combined with your range and added armour, you will become an intimidating presence in lane!

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M A S T E R I E S

Items and Common Pathways

P O I N T E R S

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• I follow this pathway if I have been doing better than my enemy counterpart and am confident that I can remain in lane. This build will make the best use of my gold by cutting down on wastage and ensuring that I get Infinity Edge ASAP. • Vampiric Scepter is very useful both in lane and out. It is *always* an integral part of my build. • Phage is an incredibly useful item. Due to its on-hit slow effect, you will be able to kite and chase down enemy champions more easily, and it also provides you with a decent Health boost. Interchange this item with Randuin's Omen or Banshee's Veil as the situation demands, but try to avoid radical changes that inhibit your ability to perform well.

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P O I N T E R S

P O I N T E R S

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Pointers • I use this pathway if I am having difficulty in lane, need more staying power, or if I return to base prematurely. • Note that I avoid stacking Doran’s Blades and focus on buying items that are vital to my build. • Be prepared to change the order of this build to maintain your threat-level throughout the game - see following information on situational building.

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P O I N T E R S

Never underestimate these items. They are cost-effective and extremely versatile, as they can be built into a huge array of items to compliment your ranged-attack build.



I hate deviating from my standard build as it compromises my role in the team. I would only buy these items if the opposing team is purely attack-based.



These items give you a small bonus to your Magic Resistance and Attack Power. They are extremely useful in countering enemy spell casters and can be bought in place of a Phage.

Prioritising Your Gameplay

There are some important things to remember when you play Caitlyn.

1. Be patient in lane, farm well, and work your enemy down slowly. Do not chase your target without strong support. If you get caught out of position, you will die.

2. You are a ranged attack champion; it is your responsibility to play correctly and fill your role. Your build, masteries, and runes should reflect your status in the team. If you deviate from your build, or build improperly, you will compromise your team’s ability to win the match.

3. Engage the enemy from a safe distance, and wait for your tank to go in first. Use flash and 90 Caliber Net to manoeuvre around the enemy team to get a clear shot at the enemy spell caster and ranged-attack champion.

Summary

FAQ

I will answer questions as they come in.

Watch this space...