Guide Sections (13)
Champion Stats
Low elo players position poorly near walls, which is lethal against K'Sante. A smurf constantly looks for the 'kidnap' angle: Q3 Knockup -> W Stun/Push -> R through the wall. This combo removes an enemy carry from the fight instantly and puts them in a 1v1 against a K'Sante superior in stats. Furthermore, players do not respect his 'All Out' form damage, often staying to fight a 'tank' who is suddenly dealing assassin levels of damage.
The All-In Window
The 'Q3 Zone'. Stack your Q twice on the minion wave. When the enemy laner walks up to CS, position aggressively. If they disrespect you, hit them with Q3 (Knockup) -> Auto-Attack (Grasp proc) -> W (tap for stun) -> Auto. This trade is devastating and establishes total lane priority. Most players are too afraid to walk up when they see the Q3 whirlwind ready.
Your W in All Out form has a much shorter cooldown and faster cast. Use it to dodge and weave through the fight while dealing massive true damage. K'Sante is only as good as the player's timing—don't mash.
When They Ban Ksante
If K'Sante is banned, Yone offers the same 'skirmisher who doesn't die' fantasy, though with far less health. Ornn is your go-to if you just want to be an unkillable rock. If you pick Sion, remember you don't have a 'kidnap' button—you have a 'run them over' button.
Yone offers the skirmisher style with high mechanics. Ornn gives the tank/upgrade value. Yone is the carry alternative. Ornn is the tank alternative.
What to Max on Ksante
Max Q for the cooldown and damage. Max W second as it is your primary outplay tool (Damage Reduction). E max last.
Mastering K'Sante's Kit
Ntofo Strikes. It's like Yasuo Q. Stack it. Use it to farm and poke. In All Out, the cooldown is reduced.
Path Maker. Channel to reduce damage and CC. Release to Dash/Stun. It resets when you press R. Use W -> R -> W combo.
Footwork. A dash. The range is doubled if you dash to an ally. Use minions/allies to escape.
All Out. The button. Knocks back. If they hit a wall, you smash them through it, deal bonus damage, and transform. It resets W cooldown.
Who Ksante Beats (And Who Beats Ksante)
Skill Matchup. Don't hit into his Counterstrike. W his stun.
Bully her early. If she hits 16, you lose. End fast.
Free Lane. You out-trade him heavily.
Vs Malphite: Easy Lane. You deal magic damage on your passive and he can't stop your kidnap. Vs Kayle: You have to win before level 11. If she hits 16, you are just a bigger target for her fire waves.
Beats Malphite (Easy lane, you out-sustain). Lose to Fiora (True damage ruins you). Skill matchup vs Jax (Don't hit Counterstrike). Choose fights wisely.
Frontline Ego
Understand the risk of 'All Out' (R). When you ult, you lose 45% of your Max HP and significantly reduce your Armor/MR to gain damage. You are NO LONGER A TANK. If you R into 5 people, you will melt instantly. Use R to isolate a 1v1 or to finish a kill, not to start a teamfight. Also, don't waste W! It is your only damage reduction and CC immunity tool. If you use it for damage and miss, you are dead.
When CC Isn't Enough
Dodge Fiora. She parries your Q3/W and melts you with % Health True Damage. Dodge Garen. His R executes you perfectly when you cut your own HP with All Out.
Fiora and Garen are your main concerns. Fiora parries your Q3 and shuts down your All Out. Garen will simply wait for you to drop your own health to 55% with R and then execute you. If you see them, don't press R unless they are already at 20% HP.
The Frontline Anchor
Start as a peeling tank. knocking back divers. Look for a 'kidnap' angle. Flash-Q3-W-R the enemy ADC over a wall. Kill them in isolation. Then return to the fight. You are the separator.
Start the fight as a traditional tank. Use your W to absorb the biggest CC or burst. Once the primary carry is isolated (or you can kidnap them with R), switch to All Out. You go from a brick wall to a surgical blade. Kill the carry, then use your mobility to rejoin the fight.
The Engage Tank Build
Iceborn Gauntlet -> Jak'Sho. You don't need damage items to disrespect. You kill them with base stats. Maybe a Sundered Sky if you are ridiculously fed.
Iceborn Gauntlet into Jak'Sho is the 'I don't care about your damage' core. If you're snowballing, Sundered Sky gives you the sustain to stay in All Out forever. Avoid building pure AD—K'Sante scales with his resistances, so building tank makes you deal more damage.
Iceborn Gauntlet -> Jak'Sho. You abuse base damages. Sundered Sky if you're 10/0. Otherwise, full tank makes you unkillable while in All-Out form.
When Ksante Hits Hardest
Level 6: Your kill pressure skyrockets. Iceborn Completion: You can stick to targets forever.
Level 6 (All Out unlock). Iceborn completion. Level 16. You scale incredibly well for a 'tank'. Mid-game you are a kidnapping menace.
The CC Lock
Kidnapping someone through a wall (like the Baron pit) into your waiting team. Typing 'Welcome' in all chat. Or just holding W to absorb their big ultimate and taking zero damage.
The 'Kidnap' combo is Flash-Q3-W-R. Drag them through a wall into your team. It's the most tilting thing an ADC can experience. Type 'Welcome to Nazumah' in all-chat for the extra mental damage.
The Kidnap: Q3 -> Flash -> W -> R through a wall. You isolate a target miles away from their team. Type 'Welcome to the shadow realm' in chat.
Recent Patch History
Recent Balance Changes
| Patch | Date | Type | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| V14.19 | Sep 25, 2024 | ADJUST | P adjusted, Base stats nerfed |
| V14.11 | May 30, 2024 | BUFF | Q buffed, W nerfed |
| V14.10 | May 15, 2024 | BUFF | E buffed, Base stats buffed |
| V14.9 | May 1, 2024 | BUFF | Base stats buffed |
| V14.4 | Feb 22, 2024 | BUFF | Q nerfed, W buffed, Base stats buffed |
