Ahri vs Mel MID Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Champion

Opponent

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Ahri

VS

Mid

Mel

Ahri vs Mel

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Use Ahri's high early agency and lane pressure to deny Mel a passive scaling lane by controlling wave tempo and punishing her cooldowns.
Focus on short trades and punishing Mel's forward movement or cooldown use to maintain lane priority and create roam opportunities.

Trading pattern

Poke with (Q) and (W), holding (E) to punish Mel's mobility or defensive cooldowns like her (W).
Do not use (E) without a clear punish window to avoid her projectile reflect.
Use (R) to extend trades only when (E) hits or Mel's key cooldowns are down.

Danger windows

Respect (W) availability as it can reflect key projectiles and punish your (E).
Avoid extended trades when your (R) is down to prevent being vulnerable to her burst.
Hard push and punish Mel if she roams after level 6 to deny her map impact.

Early game

Use (Q) and (W) for short trades to proc electrocute and poke Mel before she can safely trade.
Position on the side of minions to force Mel into awkward poke or minion clear choices.
Avoid extended trades when (R) is down or the wave is too large to safely engage.

Power spikes

Spike at level 3 with full abilities for more flexible short trades, then at level 6 with (R) for safer pick and chase plays.
Respect Mel's level 3 power spike and her (W) timing to avoid getting reflected.
After first mage item, pressure waves and trades more confidently while tracking Mel's cooldowns and (R) availability.

Win conditions

Land (E) to pick off Mel when she commits forward or wastes (W), then use (R) to extend or disengage.
Use wave control to create roam opportunities after level 6 and impact other lanes.
Pressure Mel early with repeated (Q) and (W) trades to deny her scaling and snowball leads.