How to beat Caitlyn

Common role: ADC

The best counter to Caitlyn in Bot is Olaf: 62.1% win rate over 83 ranked games on patch 26.17.

The longest-range marksman who zones with traps and poke in lane.

What makes Caitlyn dangerous

Caitlyn out-ranges every other ADC, poking with her Q and setting traps (W) that root you into an empowered headshot for big damage. She dominates the laning phase and pushes for a lead, then snipes with her long-range ultimate. She's weak if you can close the gap or dodge her traps and headshot setups.

How to play against Caitlyn

• 1Don't step on her traps — they root you into a free empowered headshot. Watch the ground in bushes and around her, and path around them.
• 2Close the gap. Caitlyn is weak up close with no escape besides her net (E). Dive her with mobility or engage once she uses her net.
• 3Her headshot and Q poke are her main damage — space so only minions eat her Q and don't stand next to a trap.
• 4Her ultimate is a long-range shot that allies can body-block. Stand behind your support/tank to eat her execute for you.

Weaknesses to exploit

• ✓Very weak up close — only her net for escape.
• ✓Traps and headshots are dodgeable/avoidable.
• ✓Squishy; hard CC and dives punish her.
• ✓Ultimate can be body-blocked by allies.

Abilities & how to counter them

What each of Caitlyn's abilities does — and how to play around it.

• P
  Headshot

  Every few basic attacks, or against a target she has trapped or netted, Caitlyn will fire a headshot dealing bonus damage that scales with her critical strike chance. On trapped or netted targets, Caitlyn's Headshot attack range is doubled.

• Q
  Piltover Peacemaker

  Caitlyn revs up her rifle for 1 second to unleash a penetrating shot that deals physical damage (deals less damage to subsequent targets).

• W
  Yordle Snap Trap

  Caitlyn sets a trap that, when sprung, reveals and immobilizes the enemy champion for 1.5 seconds, granting Caitlyn an empowered Headshot.

  Strong: traps root you into an empowered headshot for big damage. Weak: watch the ground in bushes and around her — path around them.

• E
  90 Caliber Net

  Caitlyn fires a heavy net to slow her target. The recoil knocks Caitlyn back.

  Strong: a net knockback — her only escape. Weak: once she nets away she's defenseless — engage right after she uses it.

• R
  Ace in the Hole

  Caitlyn takes time to line up the perfect shot, dealing massive damage to a single target at a huge range. Enemy champions can intercept the bullet for their ally.

  Strong: a long-range execute shot. Weak: allies can body-block it — stand behind your support/tank to eat it for you.

Itemization

Caitlyn is a crit AD marksman who wins with range. Close the gap with mobility and hard CC, and use body-blocks against her ult. Attack-speed slows (Randuin's, Frozen Heart) blunt her DPS in extended fights.

This guide covers Caitlyn's core kit and playstyle — advice that holds up across patches.