You beat Amumu early game on equal footing. Do not fight him however if he has an HP advantage. Mid game it can become quite hard to punch through his Aftershock keystone as base Kayn. If he has another keystone you are able to out-duel him. Try your best to dodge his Bandage Toss (Q) with your Reaping Slash (Q). Avoiding stuns is crucial to winning a fight. Consider building Mercury's Treads. As for late game, Amumu becomes jungle food if you have chosen to go Rhaast. Your Black Cleaver will melt him.
Cho'Gath
Make sure to always save your Reaping Slash (Q) to dodge his knockup. Avoiding it wins you the fight easily early game. Cho'Gath's clear is painfully slow, so always look for opportunities to invade him. Don’t fight Cho'Gath once he reaches level 6. His ultimate does massive damage and can kill you from half HP during mid game. Once you reach the late game Cho'Gath becomes a free HP reset with your ultimate if you have chosen to go Rhaast. He is also very immobile, so as long as you have the appropriate itemization to fight his tankiness you win the fight.
Dr. Mundo
Only take fights early on if he is low. He will do a ton of damage if he lands his Infected Cleaver (Q) and trades Masochism (E) auto attacks. During mid game you can’t really kill him as his heal is unmeltable unless you're extremely ahead. Do not commit to fights as he will be able to kill you slowly but surely. For late game it is heavily recommended to go Rhaast. He absolutely dominates Dr. Mundo if you build healing reduction.
Elise
You will be able to take trades early on as long as she doesn’t catch you with her Cocoon (E). Same goes for the mid game: Avoid Elise's stun, and you win the fight. If you went Shadow Assassin, it is heavily recommended to go all in on her late game. While killing her is generally unrealistic, your goal is to try and force out her Rappel (E), Zhonya's Hourglass, and/or Banshee's Veil so your team will eventually be able to pick her up in teamfights.
Evelynn
This champ is even weaker than yourself early on. Look for invades whenever she shows up on the map and get deep wards. Be careful not to get hit by her charm mid game in order to win the fight. If you time it right, you will be able to counter her ultimate by using your Umbral Trespass (R). Whether she uses it as a damage or escape tool, you will be untargetable and follow wherever she warps to. Evelynn sadly outscales you late game. As long as you abuse your mid game strength and pressure her enough you should be okay. Make sure to pick up an Oracle Lens and Control Wards to avoid getting ambushed by her.
Fiddlesticks
You lose all fights from early to mid game. Fiddlesticks's Bountiful Harvest (W) will always win him trades. Avoid him at all costs unless you are ahead or have teammates by your side. It is recommended to go Shadow Assassin into Fiddlesticks. Build Edge of Night once you reach the late game and catch him out in his jungle. Your spell shield should block his fear and a full combo is enough to kill him. You will be able to force out his Zhonya's Hourglass at the very least.
Gragas
Gragas's Body Slam (E) is able to cancel your Reaping Slash's (Q) dash which is why you do not want to fight him early on. He becomes even scarier during mid game as he will be able to kill you within seconds through a full combo. Avoid fighting him alone unless you are ahead. Gragas remains a significant threat during the late game, however, he shouldn’t be able to one shot you anymore as long as you made sure to incorporate some MR into your build. Get yourself some Armor Penetration and you will be able to beat him given that you avoid his stun.
Graves
Definitely the worst matchup for Kayn. You cannot beat Graves early to mid game due to the additional armor he gets from his Quickdraw (E). Make sure to avoid him. If he invades you, you have no other choice but to give up your jungle camps unless your team decides to come and collapse on him. Once you reach the late game you can start considering to duel him as Shadow Assassin if he has no stacks on his Quickdraw (E). If you chose Rhaast, ensure the survival of your team by peeling for them.
Hecarim
You can take early trades early on but don't commit to extended fights. Hecarim's Spirit of Dread (W) allows him to gain HP off damage he deals, ensuring him to win fights. Once you reach the mid game take a peek at Hecarim's items. If he built Cinderhulk as his jungle item enchantment you are free to fight him for some easy passive orbs. Make sure to avoid him if he has the Warrior enchantment and/or Ignite unless you are ahead. Late game against Hecarim is a piece of cake for Rhaast. With Cinderhulk he serves as an excellent Umbral Trespass (R) target for a free HP reset. Building Executioner's Calling is heavily recommended.
Ivern
As much as many people like to laugh about Ivern, he can actually beat you early on if he starts the fight in a bush. Always ward your jungle entrances as he loves to invade. Focus on vision control and Reaching mid game will allow you to easily beat him in a fight since he doesn’t build a jungle item. To clear up some misconceptions: Ivern counts as a ranged champion and will give you blue passive orbs. Ivern is a support champion that doesn't build any resistances, hence you will be guranteed to kill him with Shadow Assassin late game. Even defensive items such as Locket of the Iron Solari will not save Ivern from your damage.
Jarvan IV
Jarvan IV will almost always beat you early on thanks to his attack speed boost from his Demacian Standard (E). Avoid fighting him. Once you get your Red Smite you can beat him in duels. Keep avoiding him if you built Blue Smite. Jarvan IV can get fairly intimidating late game if he got himself a Warrior's enchantment but you should still be able to beat him with your form. If you are playing Rhaast and he decides to go Cinderhulk he will serve as a great HP reset target.
Jax
Try your best to dodge the stun from his Counter Strike (E) if you want to win early fights against him. Extended duels will most likely result you losing due to Jax's passive granting him an attack speed boost, so avoid them. During mid game you will be able to beat Jax as long as he built the Bloodrazor enchantment. If he went for Cinderhulk refrain from dueling him until you get your form. Once you reach the late game you beat him fairly hard. You will be able to either dodge his stun or wait out most of his ultimate duration by Umbral Trespassing (R) into him.
Karthus
Karthus will almost always go for a full clear that ends at a scuttle crab. Do the same, but do not fight him. Instead, try pinging your team to get them to collapse on him. Karthus is basically a ranged Kha’Zix - if he hits Q and you are alone you cannot beat him. During mid game you can try to fight him if you already have your core items. However, unless you have flash, it will almost always be a 1 for 1 killl unless you catch him on very low HP due to his passive. Once you hit late game you will be able to destroy this champ since he has no mobility. Just be careful while running away from his passive, it deals more damage than you would expect.
Kha'Zix
Absolutely terrible matchup for Kayn. This insect will beat you at pretty much every stage of the game. Avoid him unless you are ahead. There currently isn’t a good form against this champion. Play around your team and keep away from him.
Kindred
Terrible matchup for Kayn. Kindred is able to kite you endlessly early on. Do not approach them without assistance from your team. If you see Kindred going Warrior's enchantment + Critical Strike items mid game you can find some success in dueling them if you also have Warrior's. Try to abuse your mid game advantage as much as you can. As for late game, you will always be able to force an ultimate out of them if you are Shadow Assassin. If you went Rhaast however and Kindred built Bloodrazor + anti-bruiser items you'll be in a pretty bad spot. Avoid fighting them and peel for your team.
Lee Sin
Pretty bad matchup for Kayn. Lee Sin will beat you in extended fights even if you have a level advantage. Avoid dueling him early on at all costs. Once you reach the mid game you will be able to take fights if you are ahead. If not, look for counterganks and continue to not fight him. During late game this becomes a fairly favorable matchup if you chose to go Rhaast. Do not be afraid to fight him.
Lillia
Lillia beats you pre-reset. Do not fight her before you’ve gotten your first trip back to base. Once you get your Tiamat/Blue Smite powerspike you're free to fight her. However, you start to lose against her again once she builds some tank items such as Zhonya’s Hourglass or Deadman’s Plate. Lillia has massive mobility and is therefore capable of kiting you very well, so don't even try to go for her unless she's behind. Just make other enemies your priority and focus on them. It is not recommended to go Rhaast into this matchup due to her superior mobility and passive. Its max HP % damage is basically made for melting tanks and negating healing.
Master Yi
Really scary matchup for Kayn, especially in low elo. He can rightclick you to death and negate all your damage through his Medidate (W). His ultimate is more powerful than most would expect. Make sure to avoid him unless you have your team as backup. During late game you are unable to beat Master Yi in any form. Play to beat his team instead. If you went Rhaast, try to time your Blade's Reach (W) just right by knocking Master Yi up right after he uses Alpha Strike (Q) on you.
Nidalee
Avoid her early on since she will absolutely destroy you thanks to her having six abilities. Nidalee likes to invade a lot, so play to try and minimize losses. Once you reach the mid game you will be able to fight her given that you have your Umbral Trespass (R). Without it, it is simply unrealistic for you to win. Try your best to dodge her Pounce (E) as it deals execute damage. Regarding late game, you massively outscale Nidalee as either form. If you are Rhaast, play for your team. If you are Shadow Assassin, look for picks in her jungle and burn some Zhonya's Hourglasses.
Nocturne
Do not engage on Nocturne early on. He beats you with his fear and Lethal Tempo keystone. Path around him as best as you can. Watch out for his ultimates during mid game as you want to be there to countergank your lanes. Pay extra attention to vision and your minimap. Either of your forms become fairly strong late game. Take down his spell shield through your smite and you will be good to go and fight him.
Nunu & Willump
「EARLY GAME DUELING」You can win if you have conq. He will likely just spam ganks to snowball his laners. Path into his jg to punish him. 「MID GAME DUELING」You win with warrior to his cinderhulk. 「LATE GAME DUELING」Free hp reset as red, engage liberally and force fights after cleaver.
Olaf
Terrible matchup for Kayn early game. Avoid him as much as you can and only look for counterganks. During mid game it becomes possible to beat Olaf in a duel if he is behind, otherwise continue to avoid him. It is best to go Rhaast into this matchup. After getting Red Smite together with Black Cleaver you have a solid chance at beating him. Make sure to use your Umbral Trespass (R) during Olaf's ultimate to wait out most of it's duration and deny him from lifestealing off you.
Rammus
Rammus will do a surprising amount of damage with his taunt + Defensive Ball Curl (W) combination. It is recommended to not fight him alone without the assistance of a teammate. Continue to avoid him during mid game but you try to steal his camps. Rammus has a fairly slow clearspeed, so if you have good map awareness you will benefit nicely from a few invades. Going Rhaast is best in this matchup. You beat Rammus easily once you get Black Cleaver. Make sure to use your Umbral Trespass (R) during his ultimate to mitigate as much damage as possible.
Rek'Sai
Very bad matchup for Kayn. This champion beats you at all stages of the early game. Rek’sai likes to spam ganks, so try to path around her jungle camps. Do not engage on her. Going Rhaast is best in this matchup. Once you get your Black Cleaver you can win duels. If you have good enough reflexes, you can even dodge her ultimate with your Umbral Trespass (R).
Rengar
Very bad matchup for Kayn. Rengar's early game power lets him invade you when he wants. His Battle Roar (W) makes it incredibely unrealistic to kill him early to mid game. Do not fight him, however, look to countergank his ultimate if you can. Neither form of yours beats this champ. Build Executioner's Calling and play for your team.
Sejuani
You will win fights against Sejuani early on if you have Conqueror. Just try to not let your Reaping Slash (Q) get cancelled by her Arctic Assault (Q). Once she gets her Cinderhulk enchantment you cannot really kill her anymore. You should still try to fight her for a bit to get some free passive orbs. You beat Sejuani fairly hard late game on Rhaast. Use her as a free HP reset by Umbral Trespassing (R) into her. Be careful of her ultimate.
Shaco
Shaco is only a threat in the very early game as he has Ignite. Be careful until you complete your jungle item. Make sure to use your Reaping Slash (Q) after he places a box to both kill it and damage him in the process. You're able to counter his stealth by timing your ultimate right. Simply Umbral Trespass (R) into Shaco whenever he is below 50% HP and you suspect that he might go invisible on you. Either form works against him, just be careful of his clone if he builds AP as it deals more damage than you would expect.「LATE GAME DUELING」Either form, if he is AP be careful of clone.
Shyvana
This matchup is essentially a farm race. A good shyvana player most likely won’t interact with you but make sure either you or your team ward dragon at or before 5 minutes. Only fight Shyvana during mid game when she does not have her ultimate. If she builds AP, it is recommened to go Shadow Assassin. If she builds either AD or tank, going Rhaast is the best call. Be careful of her Dragon's Descend (R) + Flame Breath (E) combo, it has the potential to oneshot you.
Skarner
You will lose any fights you take, this champion’s early game power is very high. Avoid him and clear your own jungle. Continue to stay away from Skarner mid game. If he ults you, you’re probably dead. It is heavily recommended to go Rhaast in this matchup. Get yourself Quicksilver Sash after Black Cleaver and wait to outscale him.
Trundle
If Trundle has Press the Attack as his keystone you stand no chance against him early on. His Pillar (E) can interrupt both your Reaping Slash (Q) and Shadow Step (E) so don't even try to contest him for anything, especially once he hits level 6. Trundle builds incredibly tanky so you can’t really kill him even as Rhaast. Pick up an early Executioner's Calling to help out your team.
Twitch
Twitch will try to level 2 gank one of your lanes almost 90% of the time. Make sure that your allies are aware of this early threat while laning by either pinging or mentioning it in chat. Full clear your jungle and look to take his red side camps. If you happen to run into him, try forcing a fight when it is safe as you will beat him. The same goes for midgame, you should always come out victorious in a 1v1 unless you're behind. When it comes to lategame you can pretty much spawn kill Twitch if you chose Shadow Assassin. Him being a squishy adc with limited mobility makes him a perfect target.
Udyr
Udyr will try to invade you early on. Do not try to contest him as he beats you in duels. Try to countergank when possible and look to scale. If you get help from your team you can pick fights during mid game, His Tiger Stance (Q) does 300+ damage and can kill you while using your Umbral Trespass (R). You should ideally go Rhaast into this champion. Once you get your form and Black Cleaver you outscale him fairly hard. Just be careful if he builds Executioner's Calling.
Vi
Vi is able to cancel your Reaping Slash (Q) and lock you down. Do not fight her unless you know that her Vault Breaker (Q) is down. Do not try to "outplay" her by using Umbral Trespass (R) when she locks her ultimate onto you, as it will NOT cancel the cast. You will be knocked right back out of your targets body. During late game you will be able to outscale Vi with Black Cleaver, but stay aware of her Vault Breaker and try to dodge it whenever you can.
Viego
Work In Progress.
Volibear
Possibly the worst early game matchup for Kayn. Volibear's Press the Attack + Frenzied Maul (W) combination will send back to base quicker than you might expect. Avoid fighting this bear at all costs until late game. You will eventually be able to outscale Volibear once you reach 3 items. Try and dodge his ultimate with your own.
Warwick
You won't be able to out-trade his Q and passive. Do not fight Warwick early on unless you are able to engage on him with a teammate. Beware of his Cinderhulk powerspike mid game, it is stronger than most would expect. Try to dodge his Infinite Duress (R) and/or fear with your own ultimate. Getting immobilized by him will most often result in you dying. Choosing Rhaast and gearing yourself up with Black Cleaver and Executioner's Calling goes very far. At that point you generally want to start engaging on Warwick, however always keep in mind to dodge his crowd control.
Xin Zhao
Xin Zhao's kit is simply better than yours early on and his third Q will cancel yours. Avoid dueling him at all costs, especially once he gets his Warrior enchantent. Try to take some camps of his whenever the opportunity arises. Once you get either a few kills or your form, you will be able to fight and kill him mid game. Gettin Black Cleaver late game is basically an instant win against him. If you ended up going Shadow Assassin, watch out for his Crescent Guard (R) disengage.
Zac
Zac's Aftershock makes him really hard to kill early on, but you can win duels with Conqueror. Your Reaping Slash (Q) is very strong against his passive blobs thanks to the AoE damage. Zac's level six power spike is very strong, so beware of him. He will outduel you. Wait until you get your form and countergank your lanes. It is heavily recommended for you to go Rhaast against him. Once you reach the late game build Executioner's Calling to counter his healing. Your Black Cleaver is enough to melt through his armor, so no need to get more penetration items. Zac serves as an excellent Umbral Trespass (R) target for a free HP reset, so don't miss out on it!
Wukong
Wukong's Nimbus Strike (E) will shred you. Don't fight him until you get your form. His ultimate stacks Conqueror instantly, so be careful. Wukong's clear speed is very slow so look to take some of his camps. It is recommended to go for Rhaast in this matchup. Your Black Cleaver powerspike lets you fight him easily. Use your Blade's Reach (W) knockup carefully, as Wukong is able to dodge it with his Warrior Trickster (W).
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