AP Kayle Masterclass
StandardKayle Top by Lykarius — updated Jul 30, 2026
Standard AP Kayle burst build.
Item Build
Starting Items
you start with 475g
Alternatively you can start Crystalline Flask in case you're against a very poke heavy Champion like Gangplank/Pantheon/Teemo
First Back
Ideally you'd want to get stinger on first back, but this might be difficult depending on the lane opponent. If you need the HP and sustain, on your first back you should buy Dorans Ring + Boots. Otherwise try buying components for Stinger. If you go back with 800+ Gold buy Blasting Wand first.
Core Build
Your main core items are Nashor's and Lich Bane. The moment you finish Lich bane you'll be bursting down your foes immediately. For standard boots I think Beserker's are the best. While Sorcercers will give you burst damage with the Magic Pen, you'll need attack speed which is sparce with this ap build. Once you buy Rabadons your W healing and Q burst will surprise enemies.
Even without the magic pen of sorcerers boots, you'll deal a lot of damage because of your Q.
Flex Items
Very good flex options for Kayle.
Deathfire Grasp - Insane burst. Can be build before Rabadons if you want. Combo is DFG > Q > Run them down with W + E.
Rylai's - Defensive but also offensive option. Good if the enemy has a lot of escapes/ms
Abyssal - can also be bought in place of Rabadon's. Contrary to popular believe this isn't a defensive buy, it's a offensive snowball item, because it reduces MR by a flat 20. In a low MR game and if they do have ap (because MR is still a good stat), you might deal true damage in combination with the pen from runes. Depending on the enemy comp and how much MR they have, sorc boots might be a good combination here
Mejai's - Self explanatory. Snowball item
Zhonya's - In case you need it against high burst damage. Gives a little buffer before/after R cast.
Guardian's - When u need it
Boots
Sorc boots are a good alternative to berserker's, but your dps will be lower. In combination with other MR shred items, like Melody and Abyssal. you can easily burst enemies down.
Swifties are good if you really need the MS and if the enemy comp has a lot of slows
Mercs/Tabis are situational buys - Mercs if they have a lot of CC, Tabis if they have a lot of Auto Attack based champs.
Summoner Spells
Standard spells are flash tp. A more aggressive option is Flash + Ghost. Exhaust can also be used in place of TP/Ghost if you play against a burst heavy comp, but it isn't really necessary once you get your R. Your biggest fear is to get kited/outrun.
Skill Order
(E)›(Q)›(W)| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Q | Q | Q | Q | |||||||||||||
| W | W | W | W | W | |||||||||||||
| E | E | E | E | E | |||||||||||||
| R | R | R |
Standard Max Order Is E > Q > W, but W max could also be useful if you 1. need the sustain and 2. need the movement speed. Let's say the enemy has a mobile comp. If they run/dash at you or away from you, you can't really take the initiative. With W max 2nd you not only are very safe, especially with all the AP you'll have. You can also take the iniative and run them down.
Runes
9× Mark of Magic Penetrationmark
4× Seal of Armorseal
5× Seal of Healthseal
9× Glyph of Scaling Ability Powerglyph
3× Quintessence of Ability Powerquint
Masteries
4/4
3/4
4/4
1/1
3/3
1/1
4/4
1/1
1/3
4/4
3/3
1/1
Introduction
This is a very very bare bones guide to give people an idea for a build. In the future after more theory crafting I might add more chapters/more in detail descriptions. With this build
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