Counters for Mel
Champion guide
Reviewed for patch 7.3d
Champions against Mel
Favorable matchup
Yasuo vs Mel
Reviewed for patch 7.3d
Solar Snare's orb and the extra projectiles from Mel's passive travel toward you, and Wind Wall blocks enemy projectiles for 4 seconds. With the root and the poke cut off, Yasuo's melee damage leaves her little to reflect with Rebuttal.
Why Yasuo works against Mel
01
The wall cuts the orb and the poke
Solar Snare is an orb Mel fires forward that roots whoever is left at its center. Searing Brilliance adds projectiles to her next attack after every ability. A Wind Wall placed between you takes away the root and part of the Overwhelm stacks Mel needs to execute.
02
Little to reflect
Rebuttal reflects enemy projectiles and keeps Mel from taking damage for a moment. Steel Tempest and Sweeping Blade hit up close. What you shouldn't do is release the Steel Tempest whirlwind while the barrier is up: it won't damage her and you'll have spent your engage.
03
Golden Eclipse needs stacks
Golden Eclipse strikes every enemy marked with Overwhelm, wherever they are, and deals more damage for each stack. Every projectile the wall stops is one less stack on you, which buys you room when her ultimate is up.
When to attack
Go in once Mel has spent Rebuttal or Solar Snare. If she still has both, put Wind Wall up before you approach and arrive with the whirlwind charged on minions.
How to play Yasuo
- 1Build both Gathering Storm stacks on minions before you look for Mel; the whirlwind gives you the knock-up to engage.
- 2If Mel throws Solar Snare at you, raise Wind Wall between you and advance with Sweeping Blade through her minion wave.
- 3Wait for her to use Rebuttal before releasing the whirlwind and Last Breath.
- 4With the wall on cooldown, don't force the trade: farm from range until it's back.
Mistakes to avoid
- Raising Wind Wall the moment the trade starts and not having it when Solar Snare arrives.
- Throwing the whirlwind into Rebuttal: Mel takes no damage for that moment and your engage is wasted.
Playing Mel against Yasuo
Mel against Yasuo has to bait out the wall before committing her abilities. Throw Radiant Volley at the wave or near him to make him react, and hold Solar Snare until Wind Wall is on cooldown. Rebuttal is your answer to his whirlwind engage; spend it early and you won't have it.
Favorable matchup
Kassadin vs Mel
Reviewed for patch 7.3d
All of Mel's damage is magic, and Kassadin gains a magic damage shield every time he casts an ability near an enemy champion. Riftwalk takes him to her without firing anything Rebuttal can send back, and Force Pulse finishes the trade up close.
Why Kassadin works against Mel
01
Void Stone against a magic kit
Void Stone gives Kassadin a magic damage shield for a moment every time he casts an ability near a visible enemy champion. Mel's abilities and the extra projectiles on her attacks are all magic damage, so every ability you cast in the trade covers you against part of her answer.
02
Riftwalk closes the gap
Riftwalk is a blink to a location that deals damage on arrival, not a projectile. It reaches Mel even with Rebuttal ready, and a second Riftwalk in a row deals more damage in exchange for more mana.
03
Null Sphere, after the barrier
Null Sphere is an orb that does travel toward her: if Mel reflects it, part of the damage comes back to you. Throw it once she has spent Rebuttal; if it lands, the 1 second silence stops her from answering with Solar Snare.
When to attack
Before Riftwalk, Kassadin has no way to reach Mel: farm without stepping up. Once you have it, look for the trade every time she spends Rebuttal or Solar Snare.
How to play Kassadin
- 1Until you have your ultimate, last-hit with Nether Blade, which gains range and restores mana, and avoid long trades.
- 2When Mel throws Solar Snare at the wave or at you, blink in with Riftwalk and follow with Force Pulse to slow her.
- 3Hold Null Sphere for after Rebuttal and use it to silence her if she tries to cast her ultimate.
- 4If you're carrying many Overwhelm stacks, leave the trade and let them expire: they last 5 seconds from the last hit.
Mistakes to avoid
- Opening with Null Sphere while Rebuttal is available and eating your own reflected orb.
- Chaining three Riftwalks just to chase: every blink in a row costs more mana and leaves you empty for the next trade.
Playing Mel against Kassadin
On Mel, punish Kassadin before he has Riftwalk: before level 5 he has no way to close in and your abilities reach him from afar. Later on, only cast Solar Snare once he has used the blink, and save Rebuttal for Null Sphere. If he comes in with the shield up, back off instead of emptying your abilities into him.
Execution matters
Zed vs Mel
Reviewed for patch 7.3d
Zed reaches Mel with Living Shadow and Death Mark, and Death Mark makes him untargetable on the way in. It's situational: Razor Shuriken is a projectile Rebuttal can send back and Solar Snare roots him, so it only works once Mel has spent both answers.
Why Zed works against Mel
01
Death Mark leaves nothing to reflect
Death Mark makes Zed untargetable while he dashes to Mel and marks her; a few seconds later the mark repeats part of the damage you dealt. It's Zed's way in that doesn't depend on throwing anything at her.
02
Shurikens after Rebuttal
Razor Shuriken leaves Zed and his shadows as a projectile. Against Rebuttal you risk Mel sending them back: threaten with Living Shadow so she uses the barrier, and throw the shurikens once it has ended.
03
The shadow as an exit from the orb
Solar Snare roots at the center of the orb and leaves a slowing zone behind. Recasting Living Shadow swaps you with the shadow: use it to leave the orb's path before it arrives, not after.
When to attack
Go for Mel once she has used Rebuttal or Solar Snare on the wave or on your jungler. With both available, stay at range and farm.
How to play Zed
- 1Farm with Razor Shuriken and Shadow Slash while Mel has Rebuttal; don't throw the shurikens at her.
- 2Place Living Shadow near her to threaten the trade and force her to spend Solar Snare or the barrier.
- 3With both on cooldown, go in with Death Mark, unload the shurikens and Shadow Slash, and swap back to your shadow before the mark pops.
- 4Before going in, check how many Overwhelm stacks you carry: Golden Eclipse hits at any distance, so swapping back to your shadow won't save you if you're already loaded.
Mistakes to avoid
- Opening the trade with Razor Shuriken while Rebuttal is ready.
- Going in with Death Mark without knowing whether Mel has Solar Snare: the root holds you in place within reach of her whole combo.
Playing Mel against Zed
Mel has exactly the two answers Zed needs to avoid, so don't give them away. Save Rebuttal for when the shurikens come, and don't throw Solar Snare at the wave while Zed has Death Mark. When he comes in with his ultimate, aim the orb where he's going to land or at the shadow he can swap back to.