Create a lane zone before a fight

From spawn through the first meaningful crash and the first objective setup; use wave state and available Tentacles as the transition condition

From the first wave until the first meaningful crash, identify which side of the lane gives you useful impassable terrain, then farm toward that side without spending mana on pointless trades. If the enemy walks up while a key cooldown is unavailable or into a Tentacle’s reach, Test of Spirit can create a short all-in window; follow with Harsh Lesson only when nearby Tentacles can swing. If you are pushed out or behind, prioritize safe CS and XP, avoid fighting in a full enemy wave, and crash before recalling when the wave allows. Transition after a meaningful crash so you can reset or move for the next map event rather than forcing a fight.

Lane

Build the lane around existing terrain

If the wave is near your side and at least one Tentacle is available near the trade area, threaten Test of Spirit when the enemy walks up for a last hit, then use Harsh Lesson only if the spirit or resulting Vessel lets nearby Tentacles swing favorably. If the wave is moving away from your setup, crash it before recalling or roaming instead of forcing a spirit exchange in open ground.

With Illaoi

• If Illaoi has Tentacles near a lane, choke, or objective entrance, help keep enemies inside that area instead of pulling the fight into open space. A frontliner can hold the approach while Illaoi looks for Test of Spirit; do not begin a separate fight outside her range and expect her to follow instantly.
• If Illaoi uses Test of Spirit successfully and the enemy is deciding whether to retreat, add damage to the spirit only when your team can also contest the original target. If the enemy has already escaped the zone, stop chasing and convert the pressure into a wave, turret, or vision setup.
• If Illaoi is splitting with a pushed wave and the enemy sends two players, hold the opposite side without forcing a blind engage. When the next objective is approaching, help her establish side pressure first, then move with the group so her threat creates a numbers advantage rather than a solo death.
• If Illaoi casts Leap of Faith into multiple enemies, keep damage and peel within her fight area while avoiding a scattered chase. If her ultimate is unavailable or she is fighting away from useful terrain, play more patiently and provide the engage or disengage she does not supply at range.
• If you are the jungler or support, a strong gank window is after Illaoi has shaped the wave toward her side and the enemy must walk forward. Enter with her, not several seconds before her, unless the enemy is already trapped and your own retreat is clear.
• If Illaoi is behind, give her safe access to side-wave XP and do not demand a blind front-to-back engage from her. Her comeback path is a prepared spirit punish or a fight around terrain, so create time and keep the enemy from freely reaching her setup.