Guide Sections (15)
- Champion Stats
- The Timewinder Poke
- Which Ekko Skin to Use
- When They Ban Ekko
- Optimal Runes for Ekko
- Ekko's Ability Priority
- Mastering Ekko's Kit
- Ekko's Lane Opponents
- Greedy Ult Timing
- When They Counter Your All-In
- The Cleanup Crew
- The Chrono Assassin Build
- Timing Ekko's All-Ins
- The Rewind Kill
- Recent Patch History
Champion Stats
Low elo players don't track Ekko's clone (the hologram showing where R will teleport him). They think they've caught him, then he presses R and is suddenly on the other side of the map with full HP. They also don't respect his level 2-3 burst potential—Q-E-Auto with Electrocute chunks for 40% HP. Low elo players stand on his W stun zone, making it easy to land the shield + stun combo.
The Timewinder Poke
Start Q. At level 1, throw Q through the enemy laner AND the wave simultaneously. The return Q deals damage on the way back. Auto-attack them while the Q is in flight. Q-Auto-Auto-Q(return). This combo procs Electrocute AND clears the wave. Repeat until level 3, then all-in for the kill.
Level 1 Q-shove is your job. Get the priority, ward the enemy jungle, and be ready for the level 3 all-in. Ekko is about the tempo—if you lose the wave, you lose your roaming agency.
Which Ekko Skin to Use
'True Damage Ekko' has the cleanest W zone indicator—enemies can see it coming, but the audio cue is satisfying. 'PROJECT: Ekko' has a slightly smaller-looking clone model, which confuses enemies about R range. 'Pulsefire Ekko' has beautiful VFX but the Q animation is visually loud. 'Sandstorm Ekko' is clean but boring.
'True Damage' has the best music and the cleanest W. 'PROJECT' is for the try-hards. 'Sandstorm' is the classic 'Faker' skin—very minimal but feels incredibly fast. Avoid the base skin if you have a choice.
When They Ban Ekko
Fizz is your best pivot for the AP assassin feel. Diana if you're in the jungle. If you pick Sylas, remember you shouldn't be the first person in the fight. Stick to Fizz for the 'get in, kill, get out' lifestyle.
Fizz offers similar dive-and-escape playstyle with playful trickster energy. Diana provides the AP jungle assassin alternative. Sylas offers the bruiser-assassin hybrid. Fizz is the best pivot for 'untargetable' frustration.
Optimal Runes for Ekko
Electrocute is mandatory for mid Ekko—Q-E-Auto procs it instantly. Dark Harvest is viable for jungle Ekko if you're snowballing. Sudden Impact procs on E dash (free magic penetration). Eyeball Collection + Ultimate Hunter for lower R cooldown. Secondary Inspiration (Boots + Cosmic Insight) is standard for CDR and free boots.
Ekko's Ability Priority
Max Q first for waveclear and poke. The Q return damage is massive at max rank. Max E second for lower cooldown on your blink (your primary engagement tool). Max W last because the stun duration doesn't scale—one point is enough.
Mastering Ekko's Kit
Timewinder throws a device that returns to you. The RETURN deals more damage than the first hit. Aim to hit enemies with both passes. The Q also slows, setting up your E engage.
Parallel Convergence has a 3-SECOND DELAY before activating. This means you need to predict where fights will happen. If you're inside the zone when it activates, you gain a massive shield AND enemies inside are stunned. Use it ahead of skirmishes, not reactively.
Phase Dive is a two-part ability—first dash, then blink to a target. The blink applies your passive (3-hit proc) instantly. E-Auto procs your passive for burst damage. You can E over walls for creative pathing.
Chronobreak teleports you to where you were 4 seconds ago (shown by your clone hologram). It heals you AND deals massive AoE damage at the destination. Use it to escape OR for damage if enemies cluster on your clone location. Track your clone at all times.
Ekko's Lane Opponents
Skill Matchup. He windwalls your Q, but you can bait it out. E-Auto trades work well. Respect his level 1-2 but you win post-6.
Easy Lane. She's immobile. Walk at her level 3, E-Q-Auto, and she either dies or Flashes. Roam when she plays too safe.
Hard Counter. Her E pushes you away mid-E dash. She pokes harder and safer. Farm with Q, roam when possible.
Yasuo is a skill check on your W usage. You can't just throw Q hoping it hits; he'll Windwall it every time. Use your E to dodge his Tornado. If you can bait his Windwall with a fake step-up, you can engage. Post-6, your R is a 'get out of jail free' card for his ult, but don't get knocked up before you can cast it.
Greedy Ult Timing
Stop using R offensively when you're healthy. Ekko's R is your ESCAPE. If you R forward for damage, you have no safety net. Only use R offensively when you're sure the kill is guaranteed and you don't need to escape. Also, stop throwing W randomly—the 3-second delay is HUGE. Place W ahead of where fights will happen, not on top of current skirmishes.
Your W passive deals bonus magic damage to low-HP targets. Use it to finish off enemies you didn't quite one-shot with your initial burst. You don't always need a full combo to get the kill.
When They Counter Your All-In
Dodge if facing Kassadin or Malzahar. Kassadin outscales you hard and you can't burst him post-6. Malzahar's passive blocks your Q poke, and he suppresses you when you engage. Also dodge into Lissandra—her self-ult negates your dive.
Kassadin is a nightmare. He out-scales you and blinks away from your W. Malzahar is equally annoying. If you see them, roam Bot. At level 6, a double kill bot is worth more than a lost lane mid.
Dodge Kassadin or Malzahar. Kassadin outscales and you can't burst him. Malzahar blocks your engage and suppresses you. Lissandra is also a dodge because her R completely shuts down your dive.
The Cleanup Crew
Flank. Do NOT engage first. Wait for your team to start the fight, then E-blink onto the enemy carry from fog of war. Q-E-Auto-Ignite and they're dead or chunked. If you get caught, press R. Your clone should be in a safe position by the time you need to escape. You are an assassin, not a front liner.
You are the shark in the water. Wait for the HP bars to drop, then E-Q-Auto. Your passive move speed is what keeps you alive—hit the three stacks and run. Use your R to reset or to finish a multi-kill.
The Chrono Assassin Build
Lich Bane first item. Your E applies on-hit effects and Lich Bane procs. E-Auto with Lich Bane chunks for 50% HP at one item. Add Hextech Rocketbelt for an additional gap closer. E-Rocketbelt-Auto-Q one-shots squishies from ridiculous range.
Lich Bane into Rocketbelt is the core. The burst from your E-auto with Lich Bane is disgusting. Nashor's is a trap unless you're playing for the split-push. Add Shadowflame second for the execute potential.
Lich Bane first item is mandatory. Your E applies on-hit effects, so E-Auto with Lich Bane chunks 50% HP. Add Hextech Rocketbelt for the gap close. You one-shot squishies before they can flash.
Timing Ekko's All-Ins
Level 2-3 with E + Q is your first burst window. Level 6 gives you unkillable potential—dive, kill, R out. First item completion (Hextech Rocketbelt) is your assassination spike. Two items (Rocketbelt + Shadowflame) makes you a one-shot machine.
Level 2 is your first trade window. Level 6 is your dive window. Once you have Rocketbelt, you can catch anyone out of position. Ekko is a mid-game god—end the game before 35 minutes or you'll fall off.
Level 2-3 E-Q combo is your trading window. Level 6 gives you the 'dive and survive' license. Rocketbelt completion is your assassination spike. If you hit W, the fight is over.
The Rewind Kill
Dive them under tower, kill them, and R out. They cannot punish you. Repeat until they give up and sit at tier 2 tower. All-chat 'outplayed' after every R escape. Camp their lane, get kills, and type 'nice flash' when they panic-Flash into your W.
Typing 'Time's up' in all-chat after a 5-man R is mandatory. It's about the chrono-ego. Flash mastery 7 after every tower dive. Ekko is designed to be annoying—exceed their expectations.
Dive them under tower, kill them, and R out to safety. Type 'outplayed' in all-chat. Camp their lane and use 'nice flash' when they panic-Flash your W. Psychological damage is real damage.
Recent Patch History
Recent Balance Changes
| Patch | Date | Type | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| V13.16 | Aug 16, 2023 | BUFF | Q buffed, W buffed |
| V13.3 | Feb 8, 2023 | ADJUST | Base stats adjusted |
| V12.19 | Oct 5, 2022 | BUFF | P buffed, R buffed |
| V12.10 | May 25, 2022 | BUFF | Base stats buffed |
| V11.17 | Aug 25, 2021 | BUFF | P buffed |
