Illaoi, the Kraken Priestess: A Guide to Dominating ARAM

Known for her unparalleled crowd control and devastating area-of-effect damage, Illaoi is a formidable force in ARAM (All Random All Mid). This guide will delve into Illaoi's abilities, strategies, and common mistakes to help you master her in this chaotic game mode.

Understanding Illaoi's Abilities

1. Test of Spirit (Q): Illaoi hurls a spectral harpoon, damaging and pulling enemies towards her. If it hits a target without a vessel (see below), it creates a tentacle that attacks the enemy.

2. Harsh Lesson (W): Illaoi smashes the ground, damaging enemies near her. If it hits enemies with vessels, it deals bonus damage and spawns additional tentacles.

3. Leap of Faith (E): Illaoi jumps to a target, stunning and damaging them. Upon landing, she spins her idol, damaging nearby enemies.

4. Unleash the Kraken (R): Illaoi unleashes a massive kraken that slams down on a target area, damaging and knocking back enemies. It deals additional damage to those with vessels.

Capitalizing on Illaoi's Tentacles

Illaoi's unique mechanic is her tentacles, which spawn when she hits enemies without a vessel. These tentacles attack nearby enemies, dealing significant damage and providing crowd control.

• Exploiting Tentacle Spawns: To maximize tentacle spawns, focus on hitting enemies who have multiple vessels or are grouped together.
• Protecting Tentacles: Tentacles have low health, so protect them by positioning them strategically. Use your W to stun enemies who approach them.
• Combining Tentacles: Illaoi's ultimate, Unleash the Kraken, deals massive damage when it hits enemies with tentacles. Coordinate with your team to ensure that tentacles are spawned on multiple enemies before ulting.

Illaoi's Strategies in ARAM

1. Early Game Dominance: Illaoi excels in early ARAM fights due to her high base damage and crowd control. Use your Q and W to pull enemies towards your tentacles and overwhelm them with burst damage.

2. Crowd Control Lockdowns: Illaoi's E and R provide excellent crowd control capabilities. Use them to lock down enemy carries or engage on multiple targets.

3. Tower Defense: Illaoi's tentacles can be invaluable for defending towers. Position them around the base to slow down enemy pushes and pick off minions.

4. Counter Pick Potential: Illaoi is a strong counter to meleeshampions and teams with limited mobility. Her tentacles make it difficult for melee attackers to reach her, while her crowd control can hinder mobile opponents.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overextending: Illaoi's tentacles have a limited range, so avoid overextending to get close to enemies. Use your Q to pull them towards you instead.

2. Mistiming Your Ultimate: Unleash the Kraken has a long wind-up animation, making it easy to dodge. Wait for the optimal moment to cast it, such as when enemies are grouped or cced.

3. Ignoring Tentacle Health: Illaoi's tentacles are vulnerable to damage. Keep an eye on their health and reposition them as needed to avoid losing them.

4. Neglecting Itemization: Illaoi benefits from tanky items like Sunfire Cape and Spirit Visage. Focus on building items that increase her survivability and damage output.

Concluding Thoughts

Illaoi is a powerful and versatile champion in ARAM, capable of wreaking havoc on enemy teams with her formidable crowd control and massive area-of-effect damage. By understanding her abilities, utilizing her tentacles effectively, and playing strategically, you can dominate the Howling Abyss as the Kraken Priestess.

Appendix

Table 1: Illaoi's Abilities and Their Effects

Table 2: Common Illaoi Itemization

Table 3: Illaoi's Counters

Table 4: Tips for Playing Against Illaoi in ARAM