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[S15] The Best Master Yi Guide ✅

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Master Yi Build Guide By Updated on

Guide Discussion (137) More Master Yi Guides

Choose Champion Build:

Master Yi On-Hit Builds For Any Role + Jungle Matchups
Master Yi Crit Builds For Any Role + Top Lane Matchups
Master Yi No Builds Just Mid Lane Matchups

Runes: Snowball

1 2 3 4 5

Precision

Lethal Tempo

Triumph

Legend: Alacrity

Coup de Grace

Domination

Sudden Impact

Treasure Hunter

Bonus:

+10% Attack Speed
+9 Adaptive (5.4 AD or 9 AP)
+10-180 Bonus Health

Spells:

1 2 3 4 5 6

Standard

Flash

Smite

Items

START ITEMS

BEST BOOTS

CORE ITEMS

BEST DPS ITEMS

BEST HP ITEMS

DEFENSIVE OPTIONS

SITUATIONAL ITEMS

ON-HIT FULL BUILD 1/2

ON-HIT FULL BUILD 2/2

Ability Order Q > E > R > W

Master Yi Passive Ability

Threats & Synergies

Threats

Synergies

Extreme Major Even Minor Tiny

Show All

None Low Ok Strong Ideal

Extreme Threats

Ideal Synergies

Kha'Zix

Extreme

His high burst and invisibility make him strong against Yi. Before level 6, you can handle him more easily. Avoid isolation and use W to reduce his Q damage.

Lulu

Ideal

Can safe you, turn tables, buff important stats and CC's enemys for you.

Synergies

Ideal Strong Ok Low None

Lulu

Ideal

Can safe you, turn tables, buff important stats and CC's enemys for you.

More Master Yi Counters

Hey, I'm Suseri,
1997 vintage and a High Elo Master Yi OTP since Season 4!

In this guide, I’d like to share with you, my experiences, insights, and all kinds of tips & tricks that helped me climb.

Social Links:

YouTube Ch

OP.GG Profil

Steam Profil

Discord

Some tips right off the bat:

Fast reaction speed – Good timing and reading enemy movement is crucial to unlock Yi's full potential.
Avoid tank items – Yi scales with damage & attack speed allowing flashy solo plays to dominate duels.
Close out games as fast as possible – You will get punished harder in late game due to Yi’s squishiness.
You want to see some slick Yi in action? – Scroll down, for some gameplay and mechanics breakdowns!

Let’s dive in and Master the Wuju Style!

Master Yi Pros:

+ Ability Resets +
+ Strong Splittpush +
+ Hyper Carry Potential +
+ High Pentakill Potential +
+ Strong/Easy Turret Dives +
+ Tank Shredder thru +
+ Highest Base Movement Speed in the Game +
+ One of the (if not the) Strongest 1v1 Late Game +
+ High Mobility thru , +
+ Untargetability thru and Slow Immunity thru +
+ Different Build Flexibility (Crit, Lethal, OnHit, Offtank) +
+ Good Jungle Clear and Sustain/Tankiness thru +

Easy to Learn but Hard to Master

Master Yi Cons:

- Late Game Issues -
- Relies very hard on Items -
- No CC and vulnerable against Hard CC -
- Weak against Burst, especially AP Types -
- If you fall behind, it can be hard to be useful -

No Skillshots but Reaction and Timing is Needed

Too long; didn't read:

and
can all be situationally useful, however ,
is often just too strong to pass up on when playing Master Yi, since it offers you alot of options such as being able to close the gap, escape over walls, reposition yourself or avoid skillshots.

Early days Spell choices:

Back when I started jungling with Yi, I used + .
helped with splitpushing, backdooring, and power farming.

After some changes to it, I switched to – it was solid for 1v1 duels against bursty champs.
It had a Low cooldown and was great against fed ADC's in late game teamfights.

Today in Season 15, can still be an option, but it’s more RNG than value, if you ask me.

Why I moved on from Exhaust aswell:

got nerfed – good for Yi, since his attack speed isn’t reduced by it anymore.
I still kept using it out of habit for some time after, but eventually switched to .

simply offers too many things to give up on like: escaping, gapclosing, repositioning or avoiding enemy champion abilities, which makes it one of the best spells to have in the game.

You can bring: ✔️

Ghost – against champs that can kite you.
Ignite – against healing, camouflage, invisibility, or untargetability.
Exhaust – against champs with heavy burst damage.
Cleanse – against champs with unavoidable hard CC.

– good vs
– good vs
– good vs
– good vs

Frequently Asked:

But Suseri, how do you decide that?

The higher the threat certain champs pose,
the more likely I am to adjust my summoner spell choice.

That being saied – this comes thru experience!
Play lots of games, and you’ll start noticing patterns.

But Suseri, why take Cleanse if you can buy QSS instead?

Because QSS delays your item power spikes too much.
I only recommend buying QSS if:
• You're quite ahead
• At a later point
• Or you absolutely need it to function in fights.

Cleanse gives you early safety without compromising your build.

But Suseri, why take Ignite if you can build Executioner's Calling?

Because you’d need to finish the item at some point,
which is not an optimal choice for Master Yi.

Anti-heal items delay your proper power spikes,
while Ignite also deals true damage on top of helping you secure kills & get your resets faster.

So Alpha Strike is your Q Ability, but when do you Max it?

💡 TL;DR
✅ Jungle: Max Q first, it's your main tool for dodging, gap closing, escaping, and dealing damage.
🆚 Lane: Usually Q first, but matchup-dependent.

When❓ Almost in every game you want to max Q first, as it is his key ability offering:

🌀 Short Untargetability (bit longer if all 4 hits land)
⛔ Dodge skills, including even some ultimates
✈️ Follow movement like Flashes, Blinks, Dashes, Blast Plants
⏩ Faster jungle clear (you can take a second point at level 3 for max clear speed)

⚠️ Important Notes

❌ You can't use wards or items during Q
✅ You can't use Flash and TP but all other summoner spells aswell as your E & R during Q
🔍 Grants 600 range vision on bounce – even across terrain, sadly not into bushes
☠️ Damage or CC over time can still hit/kill you in Q, but Tenacity helps reducing the effect of CC's
⏸️ Being in Q now pauses E and R duration

So Wuju Style is your E Ability, but when do you Max it?

💡 TL;DR
✅ Jungle: Always max E second, it increases your damage too, but less so against jungle monsters.
🆚 Lane: Usually second as well, can be maxed sooner vs tanks without burst, mobility, or hard CC.

When❓ Usually right after Q, but can be maxed first in specific situations:

💥 Main scaling damage source, strong AD scaling and true damage on-hit
🧠 Situational E-max possible if you don't need Q for dodging (rarely recommended)
⏱️ Early Q points still important (2–3) since basic attacks can reset its cooldown
🧱 E max decent in lane vs low-threat matchups, but Q max always preferred

⚠️ Important Notes

✅ Scales very well with Attack Damage and Attack Speed – itemization matters!
🎯 E can now be used while in Q
⏳ If E is activated late during Q, you may lose DPS – especially on fewer than 4 targets
🌀 Q damage hits apply E per target – E timing can impact your full burst

So Meditate is your W Ability, but when do you Max it?

💡 TL;DR
✅ Jungle: Always max W last, it's defensive and does not offer any sort of damage or mobility.
🆚 Lane: Usually last, you can put more points when behind, building tanky, or getting poked a lot.

When❓ Max W last, unless specific conditions call for earlier investments:

🛡️ Defensive tool – no damage or mobility increases but it allows you to reset your basic attacks
💚 Early points useful when forced to fight with low escape options (during invades or when low HP)
🚑 Helps sustain in lane when facing poke-heavy matchups
📉 Viable when behind to survive or bait enemies – especially against burst champs without hard CC
❗ Not reliable vs hard CC – W can be easily cancelled and leaves you damageless if maxed
🔁 If you max W, leave Q for last – E is still essential to kill champions from mid-late game

⚠️ Important Notes

💡 Healing scales dynamically – heals more the less HP you currently have
✅ You can use W while rooted
⏸️ W now pauses the duration of your E and R – use it strategically

So Highlander is your R Ability, but when do you Max it?

💡 TL;DR
✅ Always level your R whenever possible – at level 6, 11, and 16.
🆚 Jungle or Lane – doesn't matter, Highlander is a core part of Yi's power spikes.

When❓ Every time it's available! Never skip R day – else even scuttle crabs might escape 😉

⚡ Grants massive movement & attack speed
🧊 Immunity to slows – great for sticking to targets
🔁 Reduces cooldowns of Q, W & E by 70% on takedown
💥 Great engage, disengage, or clean-up tool – timing is everything

⚠️ Important Notes

✅ Can now be activated during your Q
⏸️ R duration is paused while in Q – great for extended fights

Advanced Kit Tips and Tricks

💡 Hidden Mechanics & Pro Tips in Yi's Kit

In this chapter you'll find some lesser-known but super helpful tips about Yi's abilities you shouldn't miss!
Originally I wanted to make a video series with voiceovers and examples... but let’s be honest – time is precious and I’m lazy 😅 So here’s the text version – still packed with value!

Passive: Double Strike
• Pre-stack your passive before fights for max DPS.
• Second strike prioritizes nearest target to Yi – position wisely when CS'ing!
• Passive can expire and cancel your next basic attack – annoying, but good to know.
• Works on traps (Jhin/Nida/Teemo/Shaco), not on GP barrels.
• Second hit can crit structures (turrets/inhibs/nexus).
• If uninterrupted, Yi can chain Double Strikes endlessly – unless second hit is wasted (target dies).

Q Ability: Alpha Strike
• Auto-attack jungle camps before Q – prevents some HP loss.
• Yi can still die during Q from DoTs or chain CC – it's dumb but real.
• Use Q late vs delayed hard CC (Morgana R/Karma W/Leblanc E) to reduce their durations.
• Each Q strike prioritizes the closest target from the last bounce.
• Bait enemies: Q onto a dying unit = safe reposition on start location.
• Q can dodge turret shots when timed correctly.
• Q works even after being airborne, if you use QSS (yes, even dragon knockbacks!).
• Jump over walls with Q to escape or optimize farming paths.
• Enemies in Zhonya won’t take Q damage – but Q still goes on cooldown.
• Q gives assists if started before target dies (must bounce once).
• Q follow range max: ~2000 units – don’t overestimate it.
• Q reveals fog targets (not invisible ones) if close (not into brushes).
• Yi can track invisible enemies if they go stealth during Q.
• After Q'ing Scuttle Crabs, auto attacking won't work unless you right-click them.
• Clicking out-of-range target with Q = chase until vision lost.
• Don’t worry – ally buffs/heals won’t be dodged by Q, unless it's a "skillshot".
• Untargetables can block Q – some partial hits still land.
• Enemys out of vision can be caught off guard, if you spam Q on the right location.
• After a Q, enemies can flash out of your auto range – happens rarely.
• Short Q's on champs under their turrets (if the target dies mid bounce) might drop aggro.
• If your primary target dies mid Q animation, you'll reaper on the initial cast location.
• This also counts towards champions with revive mechanics (Kog, Sion etc.).

E Ability: Wuju Style
• Activate E with Double Strike for max true damage utilization.
• Using E during W cancels W – avoid accidental cancels.
• Trick: Right before E ends, pop W → extra E + Double Strike (tight timing!).
• On some skins your E can be visually confirmed easier, leading to disadvantages.

W Ability: Meditate
• Basic Attack-reset - by tapping W into rightclick after your attack animation.
• W into rightclick directly after the first hit of Double Strike = faster DPS/Burst.
• W’s damage reduction is lowered vs turrets.
• Heal faster in base with W – but risky if enemies are nearby as it'll be on CD.
• W scales with AP – Hourglass isn’t totally troll 😄.
• Channeling W builds Double Strike stacks.
• W pauses E/R duration – great for buff extension or to plan your next move.
• Bug: W on Skarner portals has visual glitches.
• Spamming W during Q might trigger it going on CD.
• Easter Egg: You can press W after your last attack on the nexus 😎.

R Ability: Highlander
• No movement speed slows, no attack speed slows.
• Can’t be grounded - Singed will pop out his eyes 👀.
• Kills/assists reset none ultimate cooldowns instantly by 70% once R is leveled.
• Multiple resets = even faster CD resets (based on missing CD%).
• Using R cancels W channel - be careful or smooth.
• Yi can't be slowed, but that also means fears will make him run away faster.

Special Interactions & Fun Facts
• Viktor trap CC can be avoided or delayed with a well-timed Q.
• Camille R cancels Meditate.
• Morgana Q doesn’t block Yi’s W/E/R access.
• Dieing with Guardian Angel in Alpha = revive at Q cast location.
• Dieing with GA on a W tap = revive in meditating pose 😄.
• Blinded auto attacks don’t refund Q CD (no damage = no CD reset).
• Yi’s dance speed scales with MS – except on his legendary skins.
• Two Yis Q each other = “skin advantage?” I have no idea 🤷‍♂️.
• Enemy Tahm can eat you during W, but ally Tahm can't (anti-troll).
• W too late won’t pause E/R – time it properly.
• Flash → while in Q allows quick escapes, even greater over walls (untrackable).
• Seraphine’s 2nd E won’t root you during R – no slow = no root.

🔗 Want more? Check Yi’s Wiki page here for his Lore.

🔗 Want more? Check Yi’s Wiki page here for his Abilities.

Champion Selection Bans

🚫 Champ Select Bans – Avoiding Yi’s Worst Matchups

The following champions are worth banning when playing Master Yi:
Fiddlesticks Point-and-click fear with absurd duration – a nightmare if your Q is down.
Rakan Extremely disruptive engages – mainly because of his R combo.
Leona Tons of CC – can lock you down and does not die.
Kennen AP burst, AoE stun, and high mobility – deadly in teamfights.
Anivia AP burst with hard CC and a frustrating passive – very hard to stick to her.
Lulu Polymorph, knock-up, ult – removes your agency entirely.
Pantheon Explosive AD burst, CC, and invulnerability – not a fair duel.
Riven Insane mobility, CC, and burst – she thrives in chaotic duels.
Gragas AP burst with constant disruption – hard to engage or disengage safely.

My most frequent Top 3 Bans:
When playing Jungle Role: > >
When playing Top Role: > >
When playing Mid Role: > >
When playing ADC Role: > >
When playing Support Role: > >

Runes 1/3

Become a legend Improved attacks and sustain damage. Good | Okay | Bad
Keystones:
Takes too long to stack and does not give you much even if it's stacked
Gives you a small boost after 3 attacks but it's not enough to be considered optimal in all situations
You can't really kite people as Yi since you want to engage and kill them quickly so this rune takes an L
Heroism:
This saved me countless times from deaths
Considerable for Lane Yi
Considerable for Lane Yi
Legend:
Helps with getting your Passive more often, more AA's/E AA's and faster Q resets
Can't get good use out of it since the Q haste change for yi
It is okay but you just cannot give up on attack speed to get this
Combat:
The idea is not to deal alot of damage with one of those runes but which rune has the most potential to get you a kill
Considerable
Considerable

Runes 2/3

Hunt and eliminate prey Burst damage and target Access. Good | Okay | Bad
Free Damage after a Q
Quite some OOC MS which helps with catching up or escaping but no use outside of that
Your Ult CD is not that High but it still can be very useful to have your Ult up at any given moment
Free AD + not hard to geather the Stacks
Is okay and gets really good if you can start to snowball the game
Free AD + Vision
You have no CC in your Kit and red buff would be your only way to apply this
Good for Support Yi at the best
Useless in the Jungle
Not worth
Outwit mere mortals, Creative tools and rule bending. Good | Okay | Bad
Considerable for Support Yi
Good if you can snowball
Sounds ok
Considerable for Lane Yi
Considerable for Lane Yi
With the changes to Yi's Q and haste this is less attractive
Not worth since you get enough MS from other sources
Again haste problem with Yi's Q

Runes 3/3

Live forever Durability and crowd control. Good | Okay | Bad
Helps against melee Champs in Lane
Helps against Poke in Lane
If you are going to get CC'ed you gonna die anyways probably
It's okay but it's nothing crazy
It's good and can be very good if you aim for a build with alot of HP
Free stats are always Nice
This is not alot and won't really help you
Yi has no CC
Kinda useless
Unleash destruction Empowered abilities and resource Manipulation. Good | Okay | Bad
It's good for the early game
Free AD stats which scale with Q, E, Passive and Autoattacks, this is better for longer Games
Faster Scuttle Crab clears, could help with escaping or chasing at the River
Could be somewhat useful against full AP comps or in Lane against AP Burst
Helps with Mana issues, but is not needed
You can get a better effect on other Runes
Sounds good on the paper, in reality it's not
24 AD at LvL 18 but only if above 70% HP
Does not help you in the Jungle

The End Of The Guide

Hey it's me Suseri again!

If you made it this far, let me express my thanks to you for reading my Guide.[/b
I hope the Guide could help you and I wish you the best of luck for your games.
If you have any questions left, feel free to ask me in the Discussion section.

Remember:
It's not only about mastering a Champion,
but also about having good general game knowledge and behavior.

So if you want to improve and climb:

Stay friendly and respectful to everyone
Keep learning – every game teaches something
And above all: have fun, because that's the most important part!

Here's my YouTube Channel again:
>>> Click here to check it out <<<

If you'd like to learn more, feel free to follow me there.
I'm uploading tons of enjoyable Gameplays and Montages!

And if you've enjoyed this Guide...
I'd really appreciate your Vote!
It helps the Guide reach even more Players!

Thanks again and see you in-game!

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[S15] The Best Master Yi Guide ✅

Introduction / About Me

Pros / Cons

Summoner Spells

Skill Sequence

Advanced Kit Tips and Tricks

Champion Selection Bans

Runes 1/3

Runes 2/3

Runes 3/3

The End Of The Guide

[S15] The Best Master Yi Guide ✅

[S15] The Best Master Yi Guide ✅

Choose Champion Build:

Recommended Items

Runes: Snowball

Spells:

Flash

Smite

Ghost

Smite

Exhaust

Smite

Ignite

Smite

Cleanse

Smite

Smite

Teleport

Items

Ability Order Q > E > R > W

Double Strike (PASSIVE)

Alpha Strike (Q)

Meditate (W)

Wuju Style (E)

Highlander (R)

Threats & Synergies

Kha'Zix

Elise

Rek'Sai

Zac

Evelynn

Nocturne

Gragas

Udyr

Rammus

Rengar

Shaco

Warwick

Master Yi

Fiddlesticks

Hecarim

Graves

Jarvan IV

Sejuani

Kayn

Viego

Skarner

Vi

Volibear

Xin Zhao

Lee Sin

Amumu

Bel'Veth

Trundle

Briar

Nunu & Willump

Shyvana

Diana

Lillia

Nidalee

Kindred

Ivern

Karthus

Lulu

Zilean

Shen

Taric

Morgana

Thresh

Karma

Nami

Braum

Kayle

Galio

Renata Glasc

Ornn

Leona

Pyke

Janna

Soraka