Kai’Sa holds S+ tier in patch 26.9 with a 50.89% win rate. Her evolution system makes every item decision matter.
Kai’Sa ADC Runes
Attacks build a stacking attack speed buff; at max stacks gain bonus attack range. Gain mana or energy on takedowns; temporarily increase max mana. Gain omnivamp for each Legend stack. Deal 8% more damage to champions below 40% HP. Get free boots at 12 minutes with bonus movement speed; you can't buy boots before.
Lethal Tempo Lethal Tempo 
Presence of Mind Presence of Mind 
Legend: Bloodline Legend: Bloodline 
Coup de Grace Coup de Grace 
Magical Footwear Magical Footwear
Best Kai’Sa Items
Long Sword 350 gold +10 Attack Damage.
+
Health Potion 50 gold Consume to restore 150 HP over 15 seconds.
Kraken Slayer 3400 gold Passive: Every 3rd attack deals bonus true damage.
→
Berserker's Greaves 1100 gold +45% Attack Speed. Enhanced movement.
→
Zhonya's Hourglass 3000 gold Active: Become invulnerable and untargetable for 2.5 seconds.
Rabadon's Deathcap 3600 gold Passive: Increases your total AP by 35%.
Guinsoo’s Rageblade after Kraken evolves Q; completes E evolution at 100% bonus attack speed.
Ability Evolutions
| Ability | Threshold | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Q | 100 bonus AD | 12 missiles (Kraken alone) |
| E | 100% bonus AS | Empowered dash shot |
| W | 100 AP | AP build only |
Kai’Sa Skill Order
Q → E → W — One point E at level 2 for dash safety.
How to Play Kai’Sa
When to use R
-
DO: after ally CC
Hook, Naut R, or Thresh flay — target can't cancel your dash.
-
DON'T: vs Yasuo Q2
Knock-up cancels Killer Instinct mid-flight.
-
Farm to Kraken
Pre-Kraken play passive — stay above 70% HP.
Kai’Sa Matchups
Hard matchups
-
Yasuo Hard
38.46% WR — Q knock-up cancels R; never R when he has 2 Q stacks.
-
Samira Hard
Can punish your R commit with defensive tools.
-
Xayah Hard
Feather recall can interrupt your all-in timing.
Easy matchups
-
Heimerdinger Favorable
Immobile — circle turrets and E away from grenade.
-
Velkoz Favorable
Slow skillshots — outscale post-Kraken.
-
Kennen Favorable
E before he commits; win long trades.
FAQ About Kai’Sa ADC
Is Kai'Sa good in patch 26.9?
Yes — S+ with 50.89% win rate. Standard AD path dominates ranked.
How do evolutions work?
Q at 100 bonus AD (Kraken), E at 100% bonus AS (Guinsoo). W needs 100 AP.
When to use R?
After ally CC lands. Never into Yasuo Q2 or active Wind Wall.