Kai'Sa vs Aphelios ADC Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Kai'Sa

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Aphelios

Kai'Sa vs Aphelios

Confidence highUpdated Jun 7, 2026

Overview

Kai'Sa needs to manage her short-range disadvantage by punishing Aphelios when he steps up for CS.
The lane hinges on Kai'Sa isolating Aphelios from minions to maximize (Q) damage and all-in windows.
Kai'Sa benefits from thinned waves and support CC setup to convert short trades into kills.

Trading pattern

Step forward to auto or use (W) when Aphelios walks up for ranged minion CS if support threat is low.
Avoid committing to trades when Aphelios has Calibrum or Infernum active, as his poke and wave splash increase.
Use thinned waves to ensure (Q) targets Aphelios directly, maximizing burst and plasma stack application.

Danger windows

Respect Aphelios's Calibrum poke when stepping up for CS, especially with enemy support ready to follow.
Avoid overextending when Aphelios's Gravitum root is available and support can chain CC.
Do not use (E) forward if enemy engage or poke cooldowns remain, as it reduces Kai'Sa's escape options.

Early game

Use the first three waves to farm safely and avoid stepping forward before support CC is available.
Punish Aphelios on caster minion last hits only if enemy support cannot immediately trade back.
Avoid using (E) aggressively before Aphelios's support engage or poke cooldowns are spent.

Power spikes

First completed item unlocks Kai'Sa's evolved abilities, enabling safer all-ins with higher burst.
Level 6 (R) allows repositioning onto isolated, plasma-marked targets for lethal follow-up.
Aphelios's strong weapon pairs require Kai'Sa to respect his poke and root windows, avoiding extended trades then.

Win conditions

Reach item and evolve thresholds to convert isolated damage into kills with support CC setup.
Punish Aphelios's last-hit attempts during weak weapon pairs or after Gravitum root is spent.
Use lane priority and health advantage to crash waves, secure plates, and set up dragon control for teamfights.