Warwick vs Illaoi TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Warwick vs Illaoi

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Warwick wants to pressure Illaoi early to deny her safe tentacle zones and prevent her from establishing control.
Prioritize extended melee fights where Warwick can out-sustain and punish Illaoi's commitment with (E) fear and (R) suppression.
This is a snowball matchup where Warwick must leverage early dueling strength to prevent Illaoi from scaling into her side-lane pressure.

Trading pattern

Engage in melee range trades, using (E) to fear Illaoi after she commits damage and (Q) to sustain through her hits.
Avoid using (E) prematurely before Illaoi's burst to maximize damage reduction and fear timing.
Use (R) to suppress and lock down Illaoi when she overextends or is low on health to force kills or summoner usage.

Danger windows

Be cautious when Illaoi has tentacles established and (E) ready; getting hit by (E) near tentacles can lead to heavy damage.
Avoid fighting Illaoi in her zone after level 6 if multiple tentacles are active and her (R) is available.
After missing your (R), your pick threat drops significantly; play more cautiously until it's back up.

Early game

Use levels 1-3 to take extended trades using (Q) healing and hold (E) to absorb Illaoi's burst.
Avoid fighting near Illaoi's tentacles; instead, bait her (E) and punish when it misses.
Track Illaoi's health with (W) to chase down low-health retreats and secure early kills or summoner spells.

Power spikes

At level 3, Warwick gains full sustain and fear tools; use this to force extended fights and punish Illaoi's cooldowns.
At level 6, (R) enables long-range suppression and pick potential; use it after baiting Illaoi's movement to secure kills.
Respect Illaoi's level 6 (R) as it can turn fights if you commit near her tentacles; disengage if caught in her zone without (R) ready.

Win conditions

Win extended melee trades by using (Q) healing and (E) fear to out-sustain Illaoi and punish her commitment.
Use (W) to track Illaoi when low and chase her down to deny scaling and snowball your lead.
Force picks with (R) suppression after baiting Illaoi's movement, preventing her from establishing tentacle zones and splitpush pressure.