Earn priority without spending your escape

0:00–14:00, especially level and first-recall windows or any time the enemy mid shows a key cooldown down

In the opening minutes, preserve health and energy while identifying whether the opponent gives you last-hit punish windows. Use Five Point Strike for controlled wave pressure and short trades; if spell damage creates Assassin's Mark, leave the ring for the empowered attack only when the enemy wave and jungler position permit it. Crash before any roam or recall. If you are ahead, build a slow push or crash to deny the enemy a free move; if behind, prioritize safe experience and wave access, using Twilight Shroud to survive the enemy's committed trade rather than forcing a kill.

Lane

Trade through a marked exit, not through the wave

If the enemy mid has a key trade spell unavailable and your energy is high enough for Q plus a follow-up, step into their last-hit range, use Five Point Strike for a short trade, then disengage before the wave or their returning cooldown turns it into an extended fight. If the wave is pushing away from you, crash it first so the trade does not cost a full rotation of CS.

With Akali

• If Akali is on your team, create a clear entry rather than asking her to start a front-to-back fight. Hard engage, poke, or a caught target gives her the condition she wants; once she enters, keep enemies occupied so she can reach the marked exit and choose between finishing and leaving.
• Before an objective, push the mid wave with her or protect the reset that gets her to the river on time. Sweep flank routes 60–90 seconds before spawn and avoid starting the fight while she is still collecting a side wave; her value rises when she arrives with health, energy, and an angle.
• When Akali is ahead, let her pressure a side wave while the rest of the team holds a safe 4v4 only if the enemy cannot force an immediate objective. If she enters a teamfight, follow her marked target and peel her retreat; do not expect her to absorb the first control layer like a tank.
• When Akali is behind, give her safe mid waves and play for picks after enemy cooldowns are spent. If she is forced to enter first, protect the space behind her and help convert the target she marks; a small numbers advantage is more reliable than asking her to delete a full-health carry through prepared peel.