Decoding the Dread Pirate: Your Guide to Outplaying Pyke
Ah, Pyke, the Bloodharbor Ripper. His name causes fear in squishy ADC mains. This assassin support is known for snowballing games with his aggressive style and ultimate that executes low-health foes. But worry not, Summoners! Pyke has weaknesses. With strategy and knowledge, you can fight back.
Champions Who Make Pyke Walk the Plank
Choosing the right champion is crucial in League of Legends, especially against a lane bully like Pyke. Let’s explore champions that perform well against him.
Statistically Superior Support Picks Against Pyke
These champions show higher win rates facing Pyke in support. If you want a data-backed edge, try these picks:
- Thresh: He holds a 54.31% win rate versus Pyke. That’s a solid 5.3% increase. Hook Pyke before he hooks you!
- Poppy: With a 53.12% win rate, she proves that defense is sometimes a good hammer swing. Pyke dislikes wall slams.
- Soraka: The Starchild achieves a 52.97% win rate, a 3.7% rise. Keeping your ADC alive is vital; Soraka excels at healing.
- Nami: She jumps ahead with a 52.8% win rate, outplaying Pyke 3.88% more often. Water versus water; Nami seems to have a stronger flow.
- Janna: The Storm’s Fury has a 52.6% win rate, a 3.24% boost. Peel and disengage are necessary against assassins.
- Yuumi: Even while attached, she has a 51.82% win rate, a 2.53% bump. Heal and re-attach strategy annoys Pyke.
- Nautilus: The Titan of the Depths anchors Pyke with a 51.49% win rate, a 2.19% increase. Crowd control is great against assassins.
- Leona: The Radiant Dawn shines with a 51.54% win rate, a 2.09% improvement. Her engage and lockdown are effective against Pyke.
- Karma: She finds balance with a 50.44% win rate, a small 0.95% bump. Poke and shields frustrate melee assassins.
- Ashe: Even Ashe has a near even build at 49.15%, just -0.07% below average. Kiting helps slow Pyke.
Top-Tier Counter Picks: The Bane of Pyke
Certain champions counter Pyke well due to their abilities and interactions. These champions stand out:
- Maokai: The Twisted Treant is a nightmare for Pyke. His root and tankiness shut down assassination attempts.
- Soraka: (She’s back!) Her healing and silence are great against Pyke’s burst and engage potential.
- Neeko: Her camouflage and burst can catch Pyke off guard. She offers strong crowd control and team fight power.
- Shaco: The Demon Jester brings chaos that Pyke hates. Shaco’s invisibility makes him a slippery foe.
- LeBlanc: The Deceiver counters Pyke in support. Her mobility and burst make her an assassin who can outplay him.
Poppy and Maokai are strong against Nami too. This shows that engage-heavy supports excel against aggressive ones like Pyke and Nami.
Champions Pyke Drowns: Matchups to Avoid
Some champions struggle against Pyke. Picking these can result in a rough lane phase.
- Lulu: Despite being supportive, Lulu has a 50.2% win rate against Pyke, which is 0.8%lower. Polymorph and shields can’t always protect her.
- Senna: In Emerald+ (Patch 15.5), Senna has a 49.6% win rate, 1.2% below average. Squishy Senna faces risks against Pyke.
- Seraphine: She has a 48.11% win rate, with a -1.01% drop. Shields and heals fail against Pyke’s burst.
- Nami (Mirror Match!): Pyke possesses a 48.1% win rate against Nami, 1.5% lower than average. In a mirror match, Pyke holds the advantage.
Mid Lane Mishaps: Pyke’s Worst Nightmares
If Pyke goes mid, counter him with these champions:
- Kayle: She reaches an 81.8% win rate versus Pyke mid. Late-game scaling and invulnerability are brutal for him.
- Anivia: The Cryophoenix freezes him with a 77.8% win rate. Use her wall and stuns for sure devastation.
- Tristana: The Yordle Gunner leaps all over Pyke with a strong 73.3% win rate. Range, burst, and mobility creates danger.
- LeBlanc: She deceives him again in mid with a 72.7% win rate primarily through burst and mobility.
- Vel’Koz: His lasers can obliterate Pyke, giving him a 72.4% win rate with strong range and true damage.
- Ekko: He is a major threat with a 70.6% win rate, using mobility and burst against Pyke.
Decoding Pyke’s Downfall: Exploiting His Weaknesses
To beat Pyke, understand his vulnerabilities. He’s not invincible.
Glass Cannon Assassin: Squishiness is His Bane
Pyke is very squishy. His passive, “Gift of the Drowned Ones,” converts bonus health into attack damage. Great for damage, bad for survivability. He is especially susceptible to burst damage from mages and other assassins.
Scales Like a Fish Out of Water: Limited Late-Game Scaling
Pyke struggles in late game. While he can ward and scout, his team fight utility fades compared to other champions scaling into tanks or enchanters.
Strategies for Sinking the Bloodharbor Ripper
Knowing weaknesses is crucial. Now, let’s discuss strategies to defeat Pyke.
Shields Up! Misconceptions About True Damage
A common myth is that true damage ignores shields. This is inaccurate! True damage depletes shields first before affecting actual health. Champions with shields like Karma or items like Locket of the Iron Solari can protect from his burst damage.
Crowd Control Chains: Locking Down the Assassin
Pyke relies on mobility and ambushing enemies. Crowd control stops him cold. When he connects with Bone Skewer (Q), follow up with CC chains such as stuns or snares to prevent his escape.
Understanding Pyke’s Arsenal and Game Plan
Counters need to know how Pyke works. Here are his strengths and strategies.
Pyke’s Predatory Prowess: His Strengths
- Late Game Pick Potential: Surprisingly effective at securing picks late game due to mobility and stealth.
- Death Brush
- Dominance: Pyke controls “death brushes”. These bushes hide dangers for enemies. He turns them into no-go zones. This is crucial for squishy champions.
- Ultimate Shield Bypass: Pyke’s ultimate, Death From Below, ignores shields. Shields can’t block the execute range. This makes him dangerous for shielded targets at low health.
- Passive Regeneration: Pyke regenerates damage taken from champions while unseen. This ability helps him stay in lane and skirmishes, especially when he can hide in bushes.
Hit-and-Run Harassment: Pyke’s Playstyle
Pyke uses a hit-and-run tactic. His runes and abilities allow this.
- Hail of Blades Keystone: Hail of Blades suits Pyke well. It lets him deal quick damage. He can disengage before receiving too much damage back.
- Q into Disengage: With Bone Skewer (Q) and Hail of Blades, he can engage fast. He lands his hook and uses Phantom Undertow (E) or Ghostwater Dive (W) to escape and reposition. This style keeps him slippery and hard to catch.
Lane Assignment: Support, Mid, and Beyond?
Pyke plays as a support champion. His kit offers mobility, vision control, and pick potential. These traits suit support roles. Still, his assassin nature and wave clear allow mid lane play, even top lane at times. Support is his best and most common role.
Remember, exploit his squishiness. Control him with crowd control. Pick the right champions. Learn his game plan. Now, send that salty dog back to the depths!
