Sylas

Every Sylas game looks different, since his ultimate, Hijack, takes an enemy’s ultimate ability and gives him the right to use it. That one mechanic makes this mid lane mage-assassin the most matchup-sensitive champion in League. Facing a team with powerful teamfight ultimates, he turns into a second engage threat, and against duelists he takes over their finishing tools. Deciding which enemy ultimate to steal, and at what moment, is where the real skill of playing him lies.

Beneath the stealing gimmick is a durable melee brawler kit. Petricite Burst builds charge with every spell he casts, then empowers his next basic attack so chains whip around him and deal bonus area magic damage, which means his damage comes in a steady rhythm of spell, attack, spell, attack. Chain Lash flings chains that cross at a chosen point, slowing anything caught inside before a delayed magical blast goes off, so it covers both poke and setup. Kingslayer is a leaping strike that restores his health when it hits enemy champions, and this healing is what allows a mage with 175 range to survive running into melee range.

Abscond / Abduct packs two dashes into one ability: a first movement to reposition, followed by a recast that hurls chains and drags him toward the enemy he hits. Depending on the situation, it can start a fight, get him out of trouble, or close a gap.

Sylas does best in long skirmishes, where his sustain and repeated ability rotations wear down burst mages, though his short range leaves him exposed to disengage and long-range poke. He suits adaptable players who like improvising with a different stolen ultimate each game and who enjoy brawling at close range with a mage’s stat line.