Use sustained pressure and repeated (Q) sweet spots to deny Akali safe scaling and force her to respect your range.
Control the wave near your side to maximize (Q) threat and avoid giving Akali easy windows to engage with (W) and (E).
This is a snowball matchup where you must leverage your lane pressure and sustain to outlast Akali's burst and mobility.
Trading pattern
Fish for (Q1) hits and use (E) to reposition for sweet spots, then extend trades if (W) lands to trap Akali.
Punish Akali when her (W) shroud is down by stepping forward for extended trades or wave pressure.
Avoid committing to trades if you miss (Q) or lack (E) repositioning, as Akali can disengage cleanly with her mobility.
Danger windows
Akali is most dangerous when (W) shroud is active, as she can safely engage or disengage; avoid fighting inside it.
Be cautious when your (Q) and (E) are on cooldown, as you lose key tools to secure trades or escape.
After Akali hits level 6, respect her (R) ultimate window by avoiding extended trades without your (R) active.
Early game
Focus on controlling the wave near mid or your side to threaten (Q) sweet spots and limit Akali's ability to safely use (W).
Avoid short trades after missing (Q1) or when (E) is down, as Akali can disengage and punish you.
Use your sustain and (E) mobility to extend trades only when you can trap Akali with (W) or when she cannot safely exit.
Power spikes
At level 6, activate (R) to gain healing amplification and chase potential; use this to force all-ins or resets.
After your first fighter item, pressure the wave and look for multi-(Q) sweet spot trades to overwhelm Akali.
Respect Akali's level 3 power spike when she unlocks (Q)-(W)-(E) combo and her level 6 (R) for burst and mobility; avoid extended fights during these windows unless (R) is active.
Win conditions
Use repeated (Q) sweet spots combined with (E) repositioning to control spacing and force Akali into unfavorable trades.
Exploit windows when (W) is down to pressure the wave and extend trades with (W) pull and (R) healing.
Snowball lane dominance into side-lane pressure or teamfights where your sustain and crowd control can secure kills and objectives.
Tip: For Aatrox vs Akali, read overview, trading pattern, and danger windows first for a fast Top lane check.
