Effective Strategies And Tips For Illaoi Counters In League Of Legends

Illaoi, the Kraken Priestess, is a formidable champion in League of Legends, known for her ability to dominate the laning phase and punish mispositioning with her tentacle-based abilities. As a top-lane bruiser, Illaoi excels at sustained damage and area-of-effect attacks, making her a challenging opponent for many players. Her kit revolves around landing her skillshot, Test of Spirit (E), and following up with devastating tentacle slams that can quickly turn the tide of a fight. For players looking to gain an edge against Illaoi, understanding the key strategies and counters is vital to neutralizing her impact on the game.

What makes Illaoi so intimidating is her ability to control lane pressure while punishing those who underestimate her damage potential. She thrives in extended trades, especially when she has multiple tentacles set up around her. Her ultimate, Leap of Faith (R), amplifies her power in team fights, allowing her to deal massive area damage and heal a significant portion of her health. However, like every champion in League of Legends, Illaoi has weaknesses that can be exploited with the right approach. Countering Illaoi requires not only champion selection but also a strong understanding of her abilities, cooldowns, and positioning.

In this article, we will dive deep into the most effective strategies, tips, and champion picks for dealing with Illaoi in both the laning phase and team fights. From understanding her mechanics to mastering the art of dodging her abilities, we will cover everything you need to know to secure a victory against the Kraken Priestess. Whether you're a seasoned top-laner or new to the role, this guide will equip you with the tools to confidently face Illaoi and outplay her in every scenario.

Table of Contents

• Who is Illaoi? Champion Overview
• How Illaoi’s Abilities Work
• Why Countering Illaoi is Important
• Best Champions Against Illaoi
• Early Game Strategies
• Mid to Late Game Tactics
• Itemization Tips to Counter Illaoi
• Warding and Vision Control
• Team Fighting Against Illaoi
• Positioning and Movement Tips
• Gaining a Psychological Advantage
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Who is Illaoi? Champion Overview

Illaoi, also known as the Kraken Priestess, is a top-lane bruiser champion in League of Legends. She was released on November 24, 2015, and is widely recognized for her unique playstyle centered around tentacle-based abilities. As a follower of the god Nagakabouros, Illaoi uses her divine powers to test the spirits of her enemies and crush those who fail to rise to the challenge.

How Illaoi’s Abilities Work

Understanding Illaoi’s abilities is the first step to effectively countering her. Her kit revolves around summoning tentacles, dealing massive area damage, and sustaining herself through healing. Here’s a breakdown of her abilities:

Passive - Prophet of an Elder God

Illaoi’s passive spawns tentacles on nearby walls, which become crucial tools in her kit. These tentacles remain dormant until activated by her abilities, allowing her to deal consistent damage over time.

Q - Tentacle Smash

This ability causes Illaoi’s tentacles to slam in a straight line, dealing physical damage. It’s her primary poke tool and is often used to zone enemies in the laning phase.

W - Harsh Lesson

Illaoi empowers her next basic attack, causing all nearby tentacles to slam on the target. This ability is excellent for trading in close-quarters combat.

E - Test of Spirit

Illaoi pulls the spirit of an enemy champion, forcing them to either fight her or retreat. Attacking the spirit causes tentacles to automatically slam the tethered target, making this ability central to her damage output.

R - Leap of Faith

Illaoi’s ultimate enables her to leap into the air and slam her idol, summoning additional tentacles and dealing massive area damage. This ability is devastating in team fights and can turn the tide of a game if not properly countered.

Each of these abilities contributes to Illaoi’s oppressive laning phase and team fight presence. Counterplay often revolves around avoiding her E and minimizing the effectiveness of her tentacles.

Why Countering Illaoi is Important

Countering Illaoi is crucial because of her ability to snowball games and dominate team fights. A fed Illaoi can single-handedly carry a game, making it essential for players to neutralize her impact early on. Her high damage output, sustain, and area control can make her a nightmare to deal with if left unchecked.

In the laning phase, Illaoi thrives on punishing overextensions and forcing her opponents to play defensively. If she gains an advantage, she can quickly snowball into an unkillable frontline presence. By countering her effectively, you reduce her ability to snowball and open up opportunities to secure objectives and win team fights.

Additionally, Illaoi’s reliance on her E and tentacles creates opportunities for counterplay. By understanding her strengths and weaknesses, you can force her into unfavorable situations, mitigate her damage, and outplay her in crucial moments.

Best Champions Against Illaoi

Choosing the right champion is one of the most effective ways to counter Illaoi. Champions with mobility, crowd control, or ranged poke can exploit her weaknesses and neutralize her impact. Here are some of the best picks against Illaoi:

1. Fiora

Fiora’s mobility and ability to block Illaoi’s abilities with Riposte (W) make her a strong counter. She can dodge Illaoi’s skillshots and trade effectively in the laning phase.

2. Quinn

As a ranged champion, Quinn can poke Illaoi from a safe distance and avoid her tentacles. Her mobility also allows her to disengage when Illaoi uses her ultimate.

3. Darius

Darius’s sustain and ability to punish melee champions make him a viable pick against Illaoi. However, positioning is key to avoiding her abilities.

4. Gangplank

Gangplank’s barrels and ranged poke enable him to whittle down Illaoi’s health without committing to close combat. His ultimate can also disrupt her positioning in team fights.

5. Teemo

Teemo’s ranged attacks and blind ability make it difficult for Illaoi to land her skillshots. His mushrooms can also help control the area around her tentacles.

These champions, when played correctly, can effectively neutralize Illaoi’s strengths and create opportunities for your team to capitalize on her weaknesses.