Counters for Samira
Champion guide
Reviewed for patch 7.3b
Champions against Samira
Favorable matchup
Caitlyn vs Samira
Reviewed for patch 7.3b
Samira has to get close and chain different hits to reach the S rating that unlocks Inferno Trigger. Caitlyn punishes her from range on every last-hit, places traps where Wild Rush ends, and uses the net to regain the distance Samira just closed.
Why Caitlyn works against Samira
01
No contact, no Style
Daredevil Impulse ranks up when Samira alternates different attacks and abilities on champions, and Inferno Trigger can only be cast at S. Caitlyn's range lets her hit on every last-hit without giving Samira nearby targets to build that sequence.
02
Traps at the landing spot
Wild Rush carries her through an enemy to the other side. Yordle Snap Trap immobilizes and reveals the champion who steps on it and sets up an empowered Headshot: place it behind you or next to your support, where her engage usually ends.
03
Blade Whirl has a short window
While Samira spins with Blade Whirl, your shots are wasted: the ability destroys enemy missiles. Cast Piltover Peacemaker while she's spinning and you lose the shot. Wait for it to end and punish the cooldown.
When to attack
Punish every Samira last-hit from max range. When she comes in with Wild Rush, answer with 90 Caliber Net to get out of her reach and wait for Blade Whirl to pass before using your skillshots.
How to play Caitlyn
- 1Use your range on every minion Samira wants to last-hit and back off before she can reach you with Flair.
- 2Put Yordle Snap Trap where her Wild Rush onto you or your support would end, rather than leaving loose traps in the middle of the lane.
- 3Save 90 Caliber Net for her engage: it knocks you back and opens an extra Headshot on the netted target.
- 4Turn the lane lead into plates and vision before teamfights, where Samira chains hits much more easily.
Mistakes to avoid
- Firing Piltover Peacemaker into an active Blade Whirl and losing your main source of ranged damage.
- Spending the net to poke and having no way out when Samira comes in with Wild Rush.
- Letting her support immobilize you: according to Riot, Samira's attacks against an immobilized target dash her into range.
Playing Samira against Caitlyn
If you're playing Samira, don't look for Style against Caitlyn alone: you need your support to immobilize her first, because your attacks on an immobilized target bring you to her. Force the engage once she has used 90 Caliber Net and keep Blade Whirl for Piltover Peacemaker. Check where her traps are before you Wild Rush toward her side.
Favorable matchup
Jinx vs Samira
Reviewed for patch 7.3b
Samira's engage depends on Wild Rush, and Flame Chompers interrupts dashes and immobilizes the champion who steps on them. With Fishbones, Jinx also hits from further away than Samira can answer. If Samira reaches S on top of her, though, Jinx has no escape.
Why Jinx works against Samira
01
Chompers interrupt the dash
Flame Chompers! explode on contact with enemy champions, interrupt dashes and immobilize them. Thrown on Wild Rush's path, they stop Samira's engage before she reaches your backline.
02
Fishbones gives the range to poke
With Switcheroo! on Fishbones, your attacks gain range and deal area damage. Samira needs to be close to build her Style; every last-hit from that range costs her health without giving her a nearby target.
When to attack
Poke with Fishbones while Samira is far away. When she steps forward, throw the Chompers between her and you, not on where she stands now. Without Chompers available, play behind your support.
How to play Jinx
- 1Use Fishbones on last-hits and only swap to Pow-Pow when there's no engage threat.
- 2Throw Flame Chompers! on the path her Wild Rush would take toward you or your support.
- 3Hold Zap! until she has used Blade Whirl, since it destroys enemy missiles that enter its area.
- 4In teamfights, stand behind your frontline so Samira has to cross your Chompers before she can reach S near you.
Mistakes to avoid
- Throwing Flame Chompers! onto Samira while she's standing still: they take a moment to arm and she can walk around them.
- Stepping up for a last-hit with no Chompers or support nearby: Samira has more tools up close and you have no dash.
Playing Samira against Jinx
On Samira, your turn to go in comes when Jinx spends Flame Chompers!: until then, any Wild Rush can end with you rooted. Engage from a side angle away from the traps and keep Blade Whirl for Zap!. Once you make contact, alternate abilities and attacks to hit S before her support can respond.
Execution matters
Xayah vs Samira
Reviewed for patch 7.3b
Xayah answers Samira's two key moments: she can root her with Bladecaller if she crosses the feathers while using Wild Rush, and Featherstorm makes her untargetable during Inferno Trigger. It hinges on those cooldowns; without them, Samira has the edge up close.
Why Xayah works against Samira
01
Feathers on her engage line
Bladecaller pulls all your feathers back toward you and roots any enemy three or more pass through. Seed feathers with Double Daggers and your attacks, then position so Samira ends up between them and you: if her Wild Rush finishes on that line, the recall stops her in the middle of her combo.
02
Featherstorm against Inferno Trigger
Featherstorm lifts you into the air and makes you untargetable for a moment, while dropping more feathers. Use it when Samira activates Inferno Trigger near you so you don't take those shots, and line up the root for when you land.
When to attack
Trade when you have feathers on the ground and Samira is between them and you. If Featherstorm is on cooldown, don't let Samira reach S near you: back off until it's available again.
How to play Xayah
- 1Use Double Daggers in trades to leave feathers level with Samira or behind her, so that recalling them brings them back through her position.
- 2When Samira comes in, call Bladecaller so the feathers cross her; if she uses Blade Whirl, wait for it to end.
- 3Keep Featherstorm for her ultimate instead of using it for damage in the first trade.
- 4Activate Deadly Plumage after the root to make the most of the attack speed while she's held in place.
Mistakes to avoid
- Burning Featherstorm in the first trade and reaching the fight where Samira hits S without it.
- Throwing Double Daggers into an active Blade Whirl: it destroys missiles entering its area.
Playing Samira against Xayah
A Samira facing Xayah has to count feathers: don't end your Wild Rush on the line between her feathers and her. Bait out Featherstorm before you use Inferno Trigger, or start your ultimate right after she uses it. Blade Whirl destroys her daggers, so save it for Double Daggers if you're about to engage.