It's simple in theory, but a little harder in practice. If you can match her push or out-push her, this lane is now twice as easy, as you have your minions to hide behind and she can't get Test of Spirits off. If she pushes you in, you've got no minions to hide behind and she can get free Test of Spirits if you try to last hit under tower, especially as a melee champion.
Unfortunately, most top laners don't have that kind of wave clear, which leaves you with two options. Your first option is to play reactionary and wait for her to fish for a Test of Spirit. If she lands it, you already lost. Back off as soon as possible. If she misses it, now is your time to all-in her. Illaoi is not a champion without that ability. Your second option is less about reaction and more about action. It's when you see a good time to all-in Illaoi, even though she has her Test of Spirit up, but you're fighting her with movement that makes it difficult for her to land it. If she does land it though, she's probably kill you. So what's the difference between options 1 and 2? Option 1 is low risk, low reward. She wouldn't be able to kill you as you could easily disengage, but she can also disengage more easily if she misses her Test of Spirit. Option 2 is high risk, high reward. Either she misses Test of Spirit and she dies, or she lands it and you die.
Get items, champions or sums that inflict grievous wounds. You need grievous wounds because of Illaoi's passive.
-Katarina's Ultimate
-Kled's Q
-Varus' hail of arrows
Kled is probably the best counter, he has a dash to avoid tentacles, and he's the only top laner that inflicts grievous wounds.
[*] Bramble Vest
[*] Executioners Calling
[*] Morellonomicon
[*] Mortal Reminder
[*] Thornmail
These all inflict grievous wounds, bur executioners calling is best because it's cheap.
Ignite also applies grievous wounds.
I have my way countering Illaoi. Just pick Sion with glacial, smite, double armor rune and minion disintegrator. I kill her tentacles, heal with smite, kill big ones with desintegrator. Their Nocturne wisits me often so he dies under my turret. 1k+ bonus hp on 20 mins!
i always try to outrange her when i get to pick after her, kayle is quite decent imo, because you have nice range and can sustain her dmg with your w + if she gets too close and uses her ult u can use your ult to survuve and escape. you could also try to play an adc vs her in top lane, thats pretty good, but prepare to get flamed in the early game when you do that
just dont let her land her e... and yu no... dont get too close to her, and avoid her q, and dont get that close to her... and ya no..... just DONT PLAY AGAINST HER BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO COUNTER ILLAOI!!!!! lol
Unfortunately, most top laners don't have that kind of wave clear, which leaves you with two options. Your first option is to play reactionary and wait for her to fish for a
TL;DR: dodge
They r my nightmares
-Katarina's Ultimate
-Kled's Q
-Varus' hail of arrows
Kled is probably the best counter, he has a dash to avoid tentacles, and he's the only top laner that inflicts grievous wounds.
[*] Bramble Vest
[*] Executioners Calling
[*] Morellonomicon
[*] Mortal Reminder
[*] Thornmail
These all inflict grievous wounds, bur executioners calling is best because it's cheap.
Ignite also applies grievous wounds.