Counters for Tristana
Champion guide
Reviewed for patch 7.3b
Champions against Tristana
Favorable matchup
Caitlyn vs Tristana
Reviewed for patch 7.3b
Draw a Bead makes Tristana's range grow with level, so her first levels are the shortest-ranged part of her game. Caitlyn pressures that phase with Piltover Peacemaker and turns the Rocket Jump landing into a risk with her traps.
Why Caitlyn works against Tristana
01
Pressure while her range is at its lowest
Draw a Bead increases the range of her attacks, Explosive Charge and Buster Shot per level. In the first minutes, Piltover Peacemaker pierces the wave and punishes every step she takes toward a minion before she has that extra range.
02
Traps where the jump lands
Rocket Jump takes Tristana to a spot and slows around her when she lands. Yordle Snap Trap holds and exposes whoever steps on it: spread in front and to the sides, her comfortable landing falls next to one, and with Tristana trapped your Headshot reaches from twice the distance.
03
The net to escape the slow
90 Caliber Net slows the target and the recoil knocks you back. If Tristana lands on you, use it to leave the slowed area and answer with the Headshot the net enables.
When to attack
Trade in the early levels, when Tristana steps up to last-hit with her shortest range. If she has Rocket Jump and Explosive Charge ready, set traps before contesting the last-hit.
How to play Caitlyn
- 1Hit Tristana with Piltover Peacemaker through the wave when she approaches, and add basic attacks only if she can't return them without stepping forward.
- 2Keep traps in front of you and in the side brushes; her jump then has to choose between landing next to one or falling short.
- 3If she jumps on you, net backward, Headshot the netted target and retreat; don't answer by staying inside her slow.
- 4With a lead, pressure the tower; when she pushes yours, step away from the structure, because Explosive Charge placed on a turret doubles its explosion radius.
Mistakes to avoid
- Spending the net on poke and having no exit when Rocket Jump comes.
- Leaving every trap in the middle of the wave, where Tristana doesn't need to step to attack you.
Playing Tristana against Caitlyn
Tristana has to survive the early levels: last-hit from the side of the wave that Piltover Peacemaker can't pierce and don't jump into areas where Caitlyn may have left traps. Rapid Fire and the bomb win trades when she is the one walking up. Save Buster Shot to push her away if she chases you to your tower.
Favorable matchup
Draven vs Tristana
Reviewed for patch 7.3b
Rocket Jump resets on takedowns or on a fully charged Explosive Charge detonating on a champion. Draven punishes that dependency: he wins the basic-attack trade with Spinning Axe and uses Stand Aside to knock her aside and slow her before the fourth charge.
Why Draven works against Tristana
01
The bomb needs four charges
Explosive Charge is charged by Tristana's attacks and abilities and detonates early at four charges; only that full detonation on a champion gives her the jump back. Gaining distance before the fourth charge makes it harder for her to complete it, and without a full bomb there is no reset.
02
Axes ready before the last-hit
Spinning Axe adds damage to your next attack and bounces up for you to catch; with two axes in play, every basic attack Tristana trades during Rapid Fire meets a stronger answer. The 7.3a notes increase Spinning Axe, Blood Rush and Whirling Death.
03
Stand Aside against the landing
Stand Aside throws your axes, knocking aside and slowing whoever it hits. If Tristana lands on you with Rocket Jump, pushing her away breaks her bomb-and-attack sequence and gives you time to leave the landing slow.
When to attack
Trade when Tristana steps forward for a last-hit while you hold an axe. If she jumps on you, answer with Stand Aside before the bomb reaches its fourth charge.
How to play Draven
- 1Ready Spinning Axe before approaching the wave and steer the catches toward your side; losing an axe in front of Tristana hands her the trade.
- 2When she places Explosive Charge on you, step away or answer with Stand Aside: every charge she doesn't complete is a jump she doesn't get back.
- 3Use Blood Rush to leave Rocket Jump's slow or to chase her once she has spent it.
- 4Finish a Tristana fleeing in a straight line without her jump using Whirling Death; the axes cross the lane and come back to you.
Mistakes to avoid
- Spending Stand Aside on poke and having no answer when she engages.
- Going for an axe that lands inside her landing slow or under her tower.
Playing Tristana against Draven
On Tristana, don't place the bomb while Draven has Stand Aside and two axes: wait for him to spend the knock-aside. Rapid Fire helps you complete the four charges faster; pop it with the bomb, not after. Buster Shot knocks him away from where his axes are falling.
Execution matters
Varus vs Tristana
Reviewed for patch 7.3b
Rocket Jump is Tristana's way in and way out. Varus punishes the moment she spends it: Chain of Corruption roots the first champion hit and a charged Piercing Arrow wears her down from range. It works best with a support who follows up on the root.
Why Varus works against Tristana
01
Root once the jump is gone
Chain of Corruption roots the first champion and spreads to nearby ones. Thrown after Rocket Jump, it leaves Tristana without the tool she usually escapes with; thrown before, one jump is enough to dodge it.
02
Wear her down with Blight and a charged arrow
Blighted Quiver applies Blight with your basic attacks and Piercing Arrow detonates it for damage based on maximum health; the arrow also gains range and damage the longer you charge it. That is how you chip Tristana without entering her bomb's radius.
03
Hail of Arrows on the landing
Hail of Arrows slows and reduces healing in its area. Placed where Tristana lands after Rocket Jump, it keeps her within your support's reach for longer.
When to attack
Fight after Tristana uses Rocket Jump or when your support locks her down. Without that, keep your distance and wear her down with Piercing Arrow.
How to play Varus
- 1Stack Blight with basic attacks when Tristana walks up to last-hit and detonate it with Piercing Arrow from range.
- 2Don't charge the arrow while walking toward her: charging slows you and the jump punishes being slow near her range.
- 3When she jumps on you or your support, answer with Chain of Corruption and place Hail of Arrows on the landing spot.
- 4In team fights, hold the root until she has used the jump; if she gets a takedown, remember Rocket Jump resets.
Mistakes to avoid
- Throwing Chain of Corruption from far away while Rocket Jump is available: one jump is enough to dodge it.
- Spending Hail of Arrows on the wave right before she engages and having nothing to slow the landing.
Playing Tristana against Varus
Tristana wins this matchup if she keeps her jump: don't use it to engage while Varus has his ultimate, and push with Explosive Charge while he charges the arrow. If he roots you, Buster Shot knocks away whoever comes in on you. Look for the basic-attack trade while Chain of Corruption is on cooldown.