Irelia vs Mel MID Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Irelia

VS

Mid

Mel

Irelia vs Mel

Updated May 31, 2026

Overview

Irelia is a high-mobility all-in fighter who thrives on wave states that enable Q resets and extended trades.
Use lane pressure to deny Mel a calm scaling lane and punish her when key cooldowns like Mel W are down.

Trading pattern

Stack passive and use Q resets to close distance only when E or R can mark Mel for stun or slow.
Respect Mel W cooldown; avoid casting key projectiles into it to prevent reflect punishment.
Punish Mel if Mel E misses, as she loses root setup and becomes vulnerable to your engage.

Danger windows

Avoid fighting when Mel W is up, as it can reflect your Q and other projectiles back.
Be cautious if Mel lands Mel E root, as follow-up poke and Mel R detonation can burst you.
Missing your E or committing Q without reset paths leaves you vulnerable to Mel's poke and counter-engage.

Early game

Push the wave to create low-health minions for Q resets and look for level 2 all-ins with Q and E.
Avoid committing when Mel's Mel W is available to reflect your Q or other projectiles.
Use early passive stacks to threaten extended trades and force Mel to play cautiously.

Power spikes

Irelia's major spikes are level 2 (Q+E), level 6 (R), and first completed fighter item.
Mel's major spikes are level 6 (Mel R) and first completed mage item, which increase her burst and mark detonation.
Respect Mel W timing as it can negate your projectile trades and turn fights against you.

Win conditions

Use wave control to create Q reset paths and extend trades when E or R marks Mel.
Punish Mel's cooldowns, especially Mel W and Mel E, to force all-ins before she can safely poke.
Convert successful all-ins into side pressure or roams to deny Mel scaling and map impact.