Naafiri vs Sylas MID Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Naafiri

VS

Mid

Sylas

Naafiri vs Sylas

Updated May 31, 2026

Overview

Naafiri aims to control lane pressure through Q poke and punish Sylas's cooldowns before committing with W and R-enhanced all-ins.
Manage lane to avoid giving Sylas easy engage windows with Sylas E and respect his sustain from Sylas W to deny extended trades.

Trading pattern

Start trades with Q poke to apply bleed and create a health advantage before committing.
Only use W to engage when Sylas's Sylas E or Sylas W are on cooldown or Sylas is low.
Use R to enhance chase and burst on isolated or low-health Sylas, avoiding fights when Sylas can counter with Sylas E knockup/stun.

Danger windows

Respect Sylas's Sylas E knockup/stun as a hard engage and escape tool; avoid committing W into it.
Sylas is dangerous when Sylas W heal is available, enabling extended trades.
Avoid all-ins when Sylas's Sylas E and Sylas W are up and ready to punish Naafiri's engage.

Early game

Use Q to poke Sylas early and avoid taking melee range trades where Sylas can engage with Sylas E.
Avoid committing W until Sylas's Sylas E or Sylas W are down to reduce risk of being counter-engaged.
Maintain medium lane pressure to prevent Sylas from freely using Sylas E to engage or disengage.

Power spikes

Naafiri's level 6 R significantly increases chase and burst potential.
Naafiri's first lethality item boosts Q poke and burst damage.
Sylas's level 3 unlocks his Q-W-E skirmish pattern with engage and sustain, requiring caution early.

Win conditions

Win by landing consistent Q poke to chip Sylas and force cooldowns.
Use W and R to all-in only when Sylas's Sylas E or Sylas W are down or Sylas is isolated and low.
Deny Sylas's scaling by maintaining lane pressure and punishing missed Sylas E engages with burst damage.