Akali vs Tahm Kench TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Tahm Kench

Akali vs Tahm Kench

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Akali should leverage her high early agency and mobility to pressure Tahm Kench and deny him passive scaling in lane.
Focus on snowballing through aggressive trades and all-ins using (W) to create safe windows, as this matchup favors early lane dominance over scaling.

Trading pattern

Start trades with (Q) poke followed by passive autos, then commit with (W) or (E) when Tahm Kench is exposed and passive stacks are low.
Punish Tahm Kench when his passive stacks are not near three to reduce his (Q) stun threat.
Avoid trading when (W) is down or (E) gray health shield is active, as these windows favor him.

Danger windows

Respect Tahm Kench's threat when his passive stacks reach three, enabling his (Q) stun and (R) potential.
Avoid committing when (W) knockup and (R) are available, as these can punish overextensions.
Be cautious trading when (W) is down, as Akali loses her safest trading window and becomes vulnerable to counterattacks.

Early game

Prioritize reaching level 3 quickly to unlock the full (Q)-(W)-(E) combo for strong trades.
Use (W) to safely engage and disengage from trades, avoiding Tahm Kench's passive stacks and (Q) stun threat.
Avoid extended trades without (W) available to prevent being punished by Tahm Kench's durability and crowd control.

Power spikes

At level 3, use the unlocked (Q)-(W)-(E) combo aggressively to force Tahm Kench into unfavorable trades.
At level 6, track (R) availability to execute verified all-ins or escape attempts, avoiding forced fights without it.
After completing the first AP assassin item, increase pressure on waves and trades, exploiting Tahm Kench's limited waveclear and mobility.

Win conditions

Use (W) to create safe windows for extended trades and all-ins, denying Tahm Kench the chance to build passive stacks.
Snowball early lane pressure into side-lane picks and burst all-ins, leveraging Akali's mobility and burst damage.
Exploit Tahm Kench's low waveclear by pressuring waves post-item to force him into passive positions or risky trades.