Akali vs Sylas MID Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Akali

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Mid

Sylas

Akali vs Sylas

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Akali must leverage her high early agency and mobility to pressure Sylas and deny his scaling by forcing cooldown trades.
Prioritize using (W) to create safe windows for trades and avoid giving Sylas passive laning or free ultimate steals.
This is a snowball matchup where Akali aims to dominate early and leverage side-lane picks and burst all-ins.

Trading pattern

Start trades with (Q) poke and passive autos, then commit with (W) and (E) when Sylas is exposed or (E) is down.
Respect (E) engage; punish heavily if he misses it to deny his sustain and lane presence.
Avoid extended fights when (W) heal is available; look to trade after it is used or on cooldown.

Danger windows

Sylas is dangerous when (E) is up due to his knockup engage; keep distance or use (W) to avoid his all-in.
Avoid all-ins when your (W) is down, as you lose your main safety tool and become vulnerable.
Be cautious if Sylas uses (E) to engage and misses; he can be punished but may bait you into overcommitment.

Early game

Use (Q) poke and (W) shroud to pressure Sylas before level 3 when his engage with (E) is less threatening.
Hit level 3 quickly to unlock your full (Q)-(W)-(E) combo and look for safe trades when (E) is on cooldown.
Avoid extended trades if Sylas has (E) ready to punish your aggression with his knockup.

Power spikes

Level 3 unlocks your full (Q)-(W)-(E) combo, enabling safer trades with (W) safety and (E) follow-up; use this to pressure Sylas.
Level 6 (R) is a major all-in spike; track its availability to force picks or defensive resets.
Respect Sylas's level 3 combo and level 6 (R) ultimates; punish cooldowns and avoid fights when his key abilities are up.

Win conditions

Use (W) to safely extend trades and all-ins when Sylas's engage cooldowns are down to deny his sustain.
Punish Sylas heavily when his (E) or (W) is on cooldown to force him off the wave and deny farm.
Reach level 6 and first item spike to leverage your burst and mobility for kills, lane dominance, and side-lane pressure.