Kai'Sa vs Caitlyn ADC Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Kai'Sa

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Caitlyn

Kai'Sa vs Caitlyn

Confidence highUpdated Jun 7, 2026

Overview

Kai'Sa must manage Caitlyn's superior range by punishing her only when isolated and support CC enables follow-up.
The lane turns on wave state control: Kai'Sa thrives in thinned waves for isolated (Q) damage, Caitlyn benefits from pushing and trap zones.
Kai'Sa wins extended trades post-item spikes, while Caitlyn dominates early short-range trades and lane pressure.

Trading pattern

Punish Caitlyn's auto attacks during her last-hit animations when her support cannot immediately trade back.
Avoid using (E) forward before enemy engage cooldowns expire to prevent being caught by (E) slow and (W) root.
Use (W) to mark Caitlyn after support CC to stack plasma and follow with (R) for a safe all-in on isolated targets.

Danger windows

(E) slow combined with (W) root zones create lethal all-in windows if (E) is used prematurely.
Stepping into brush or trap zones without vision exposes Kai'Sa to root setups and follow-up damage.
Avoid trading when Caitlyn's support is positioned to immediately engage or punish your step forward.

Early game

Use the first three waves to farm safely behind minions and avoid stepping up before support cooldowns are ready.
Punish Caitlyn's last-hit attempts on caster minions only if enemy support is out of position or cooldowns are down.
Hold the wave near your tower to reduce (E) dash escape and limit her trap placement effectiveness.

Power spikes

First completed item unlocks evolved abilities, enabling Kai'Sa to threaten committed all-ins with burst and repositioning.
Level 6 (R) allows repositioning onto marked targets, turning small support setups into lethal engages.
Caitlyn's level 1 range advantage demands respect early, but Kai'Sa's item spikes shift lane control after first back.

Win conditions

Reach item and evolve thresholds to convert isolated damage and (R) follow-ups into kills or forced recalls.
Thin waves before trades to maximize (Q) damage on Caitlyn rather than minions, denying her safe CS.
Use health and item leads to crash waves under Caitlyn's turret, forcing plate damage and gaining dragon priority.