Yasuo, known as the Unforgiven, is one of the most popular and challenging champions in League of Legends. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about Yasuo, including his abilities, builds, runes, and gameplay strategies. Whether you’re new to Yasuo or looking to refine your skills, this comprehensive guide will help you become a formidable Yasuo player. Learn about builds, runes, abilities, and strategies for the Unforgiven with our League of Legends Yasuo guide.

Understanding Yasuo’s Abilities

Way of the Wanderer (Passive)

Yasuo’s passive, Way of the Wanderer, consists of two parts: Intent and Resolve. Intent doubles Yasuo’s critical strike chance, making him a lethal threat in the late game. Resolve generates a shield when Yasuo moves, which activates upon taking damage from enemy champions or monsters. This shield can make the difference in surviving close encounters.

Steel Tempest (Q)

Steel Tempest is Yasuo’s primary damage-dealing ability. It functions like a melee-range skill shot that can critically strike and applies on-hit effects. After two consecutive uses, Steel Tempest changes to a whirlwind that can knock up enemies, setting them up for Yasuo’s ultimate.

Wind Wall (W)

Wind Wall is one of Yasuo’s most iconic abilities. It creates a barrier that blocks all enemy projectiles, protecting Yasuo and his team from incoming damage. Proper placement and timing of Wind Wall can completely turn the tide of a fight, making it a crucial skill to master.

Sweeping Blade (E)

Sweeping Blade allows Yasuo to dash through enemy units, dealing magic damage. Each consecutive use increases the damage dealt by 25%, up to a maximum of 50%. This ability can be used in combination with Steel Tempest to deal significant damage and quickly reposition Yasuo in fights.

Last Breath (R)

Yasuo’s ultimate, Last Breath, can only be used on airborne enemies. Yasuo blinks to a target champion, dealing physical damage and holding all airborne enemies in the area in the air for a short duration. This ability resets the stacks of Steel Tempest and grants bonus armor penetration, making Yasuo’s critical strikes even more powerful.

Optimal Yasuo Build

Building Yasuo correctly is key to maximizing his potential. The following items are considered core for Yasuo:

Starting Items

Begin the game with Doran’s Blade, a Health Potion, and a Stealth Ward. Doran’s Blade provides early damage and sustain, while the Health Potion helps you stay in lane longer. The Stealth Ward offers vision to avoid enemy ganks.

Core Items

1. Immortal Shieldbow: This item provides Yasuo with lifesteal, attack damage, and a shield that activates when he drops below a certain health threshold, greatly increasing his survivability.
2. Kraken Slayer: Offering attack speed, attack damage, and bonus true damage on every third attack, Kraken Slayer enhances Yasuo’s dueling capabilities and damage output.
3. Berserker’s Greaves: These boots grant attack speed, which synergizes well with Yasuo’s need to stack Steel Tempest quickly.

Situational Items

• Infinity Edge: Amplifies Yasuo’s critical strike damage, making his hits more devastating.
• Death’s Dance: Provides attack damage, lifesteal, and a damage delay mechanic that converts a portion of damage taken into a bleed effect, giving Yasuo time to lifesteal back health.
• Guardian Angel: Offers attack damage and a second life, allowing Yasuo to re-enter fights after being taken down.

Runes for Yasuo

The best rune setup for Yasuo focuses on enhancing his damage output and survivability. Here are the optimal choices:

Precision Path

• Keystone Rune: Lethal Tempo: Increases Yasuo’s attack speed after attacking enemy champions, allowing him to stack Steel Tempest faster.
• Triumph: Restores a portion of Yasuo’s health and grants bonus gold on takedowns, enhancing his sustain and snowball potential.
• Legend: Alacrity: Provides additional attack speed, crucial for Yasuo’s combo execution.
• Coup de Grace: Increases damage to low-health enemies, helping Yasuo secure kills.

Secondary Path: Resolve

• Second Wind: Grants health regeneration after taking damage, improving Yasuo’s laning phase.
• Unflinching: Provides tenacity and slow resistance, making Yasuo harder to lock down in fights.

Yasuo’s Playstyle and Strategies

Laning Phase

Yasuo excels in mid and top lanes. During the laning phase, focus on last-hitting minions with Steel Tempest to build up gold and experience. Utilize Sweeping Blade to dodge enemy abilities and poke with Steel Tempest. Always keep an eye on your Flow bar and use the shield from Way of the Wanderer to mitigate damage.

Playing aggressively is key to Yasuo’s early game success. Look for opportunities to engage with Steel Tempest and Sweeping Blade, especially when the enemy is overextended. Use Wind Wall to block crucial enemy abilities and projectiles, creating a safer environment for trades.

Mid to Late Game

Yasuo becomes a powerhouse in the mid to late game. Coordinate with your team to capitalize on crowd control effects that can set up your ultimate. Look for team fights where you can catch multiple enemies in a knock-up and follow up with Last Breath.

Positioning is critical for Yasuo. Stay on the outskirts of fights, dashing through enemies with Sweeping Blade to avoid crowd control and burst damage. Utilize Wind Wall to protect your team from ranged threats and engage when the opportunity arises.

Team Fighting

In team fights, Yasuo’s primary role is to dive onto key targets and eliminate them quickly. Use your ultimate on airborne enemies to maximize your crowd control and damage output. Always be aware of your Flow bar and positioning to make the most of your shield and avoid getting burst down.

Communicate with your team to ensure you have enough setup for your ultimate. Champions with knock-up abilities synergize well with Yasuo, creating a devastating combo potential.

Conclusion

Mastering Yasuo requires a deep understanding of his abilities, optimal builds, and strategic playstyle. By following this guide, you can improve your Yasuo gameplay and dominate the Rift. Remember to practice regularly and refine your skills to become a true Yasuo master. With dedication and perseverance, you can harness the power of the Unforgiven and lead your team to victory.

The journey to mastering Yasuo is challenging but rewarding. Embrace the learning process, analyze your gameplay, and continually adapt to different matchups and scenarios. As you gain experience and confidence, you will find yourself making game-changing plays and carrying your team to victory. The path of the Unforgiven is not an easy one, but with persistence and practice, you will become a fearsome Yasuo player.