Akali vs Illaoi TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Akali vs Illaoi

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Akali must leverage her high early agency and mobility to pressure Illaoi and deny her tentacle zones.
This is a snowball vs scale matchup where Akali aims to use safe (W) windows to trade and prevent Illaoi from establishing control.

Trading pattern

Start trades with (Q) poke and passive autos, then commit with (W) or (E) only when Illaoi is exposed and away from tentacles.
Respect (E) spirit pull and avoid walking into her zone to prevent strong counter trades.
Punish Illaoi after (E) misses or when tentacles are cleared to force short trades favorable to Akali.

Danger windows

Respect (E) spirit pull range near tentacles as her key threat window.
Avoid fighting inside Illaoi's tentacle zones, especially when her (R) is available for multi-target damage.
Be cautious of Illaoi's all-ins post-level 6 when she commits with (R) and tentacles are active.

Early game

Use level 3 power spike to unlock (Q)-(W)-(E) combo for extended trades when Illaoi is not near tentacles.
Avoid prolonged fights near Illaoi's tentacles and punish her when (E) is on cooldown or missed.
Maintain lane pressure without overextending to reduce risk from Illaoi's level 6 all-in potential.

Power spikes

At level 3, use (Q)-(W)-(E) combo for safe, extended trades and all-ins.
At level 6, use (R) for verified all-ins or defensive resets; track (R) to avoid her multi-tentacle turnarounds.
After first completed AP assassin item, increase wave pressure and trade confidence while respecting Illaoi's tentacle zones.

Win conditions

Use (W) to create safe windows for extended trades and all-ins, focusing on punishing Illaoi when (E) is down or tentacles are cleared.
Deny Illaoi control of tentacle zones by clearing them quickly to reduce her trading power.
Snowball lane advantage through side-lane pressure, burst all-ins, and flank plays enabled by Akali's mobility and stealth.