Kraken Slayer is one of League of Legends’ most iconic legendary items, known for consistently empowering champions who deal sustained damage through basic attacks. Whether you’re playing a bot lane ADC or an on-hit monster in the top lane or jungle, Kraken Slayer provides unmatched value through a ramping passive and powerful stats. This guide presents an expert-level breakdown of how, when, and why you should build Kraken Slayer, accompanied by synergy strategies, itemization tips, optimal rune paths, counters, and real in-game benefits for a dominant damage profile.

The Strategic Role Kraken Slayer Fulfills in League of Legends

Kraken Slayer is built specifically for champions who rely on repeated autos to deal damage over time. Its niche is shredding high-health frontliners while also being effective against squishier targets due to robust offensive stats. This dual-threat utility makes it a premier option for:

  • Auto-attack-based ADCs (e.g., Vayne, Jinx)
  • On-hit junglers or duelists (e.g., Master Yi, Bel’Veth)
  • Mid lane or hybrid champions that benefit from sustained DPS

The item offers early- to mid-game pressure that translates into exceptional late-game scaling, ideal for games where teamfights, extended skirmishes, or tank-heavy compositions are anticipated.

Item Stats and Passive: What Kraken Slayer Offers

Kraken Slayer’s value comes from its powerful base stats and its unique passive: Bring It Down. Here is what you can expect from the item:

  • Attack Damage: 45–50
  • Attack Speed: 40%
  • Bonus Movement Speed: 4%–7%
  • Gold Cost: ~3000–3100

Bring It Down (Passive) triggers every third basic attack on the same champion target:

  • Deals bonus true damage that scales with the enemy’s missing health (up to +75% damage at low HP)
  • Successive procs further increase the damage potential, reaching up to 100% bonus if maintained

This true damage can be especially punishing for tanks and enables Kraken Slayer users to remain a threat in teamfights throughout the game’s duration.

Thematic Identity: Kraken-Hunting Power Realized

True to its name, Kraken Slayer evokes the imagery of mythological marine beasts torn down by relentless attacks. The stacking mechanic simulates hammering away at a titanic foe until its defenses falter, rewarding players who maintain pressure through extended engagements. Though not tied directly to League’s lore, the nautical allusion and gameplay effect are clear: some monsters are too big for one strike…but not too big for three.

Champions That Naturally Synergize with Kraken Slayer

Kraken Slayer shines brightest on champions who are auto-attack centric or rely on DPS scaling via on-hit mechanics. Top synergy examples include:

  • Vayne: Synergy with Silver Bolts and rapid-fire dueling
  • Kog’Maw: Amplifies his bio-arcane barrage damage and attack speed scaling
  • Bel’Veth & Master Yi: Naturally sustain long trades and reset-enhanced auto-attacks
  • Yone: Integrates rapid double-hit autos and constant crit pressure
  • Ashe & Jinx: Leverage long-range poke and high attack frequency

While typically dominant in bot lane, Kraken Slayer is finding popularity in top lane or jungle builds for champions who maintain attack uptime and benefit from true damage.

Review usage stats at u.gg.

When to Buy Kraken Slayer

Kraken Slayer should be rushed as a first or second item if your champion has frequent access to auto-attacking during fights. Optimal timing includes:

  • Facing tank compositions or bruiser-heavy enemy teams
  • Desiring a mid-game spike with clear ramp potential into the late game
  • Wanting to secure lane dominance or objective control early (Dragon, Herald, Turret pressure)

Its component path – typically Long Sword, Dagger, Noonquiver – allows for efficient buying and smooth build transitions from laning to skirmishes.

Compare item build structures at Mobafire.

Pairing Kraken Slayer with Complementary Items and Runes

Ideal Item Pairings:

  • Guinsoo’s Rageblade: Multiplies on-hit effects and helps trigger Kraken Slayer’s passive faster
  • Phantom Dancer or Runaan’s Hurricane: Boost attack speed and apply AoE pressure
  • Bloodthirster or Immortal Shieldbow: Introduce sustain, shields, and lifesteal
  • Blade of the Ruined King: Synergizes perfectly against tanky foes and adds more percent-health damage

Recommended Rune Setup:

  • Primary Tree – Precision: Press the Attack, Presence of Mind, Legend: Bloodline, Coup de Grace
  • Secondary Tree: Inspiration (Magical Footwear, Biscuit Delivery) or Domination (Taste of Blood)
  • Stat Shards: Attack Speed, Adaptive Force, Defensive Resists (Armor or Health as needed)

For optimized rune setups, visit MobaChampion’s rune builds.

Advanced Gameplay Tips for Kraken Slayer Users

  • Ensure stack uptime: Kraken Slayer’s passive requires consistent auto-attacks; don’t let stacks fall off between trades (3-second window)
  • Prioritize targets carefully: Use ramping damage on tanks if your team can follow up, or finish low-HP enemies quickly using its missing health bonus
  • Master orb-walking: Optimize positioning and attack animations to maintain damage pressure
  • Split-pushing tool: In isolated skirmishes, Kraken Slayer allows users to outlast duelists and brute-force towers

When to Avoid Kraken Slayer

Kraken Slayer is not always optimal. Consider alternatives if:

  • You frequently get locked down or burst before auto-attacks become valuable
  • The enemy lacks frontline tanks, making mobility or survivability more important
  • Your champion relies more on burst abilities or poke (e.g., Lucian, Ezreal)

Alternatives worth considering include:

  • Galeforce – for mobility and repositioning
  • Immortal Shieldbow – for a defensive lifeline on squishier ADCs
  • Essence Reaver: Ideal for caster-based ADC kits

Game Mode Versatility: From Solo Queue to One for All

Kraken Slayer remains a fixture of Summoner’s Rift and competitive solo queue. However, it offers strong carry potential in other formats as well:

  • One for All: Especially dominant on champions like Teemo, Vayne, Twitch
  • ARAM: Performs well in extended brawls where auto-attacks can stack quickly

For game mode-specific insights, view RankedBoost’s analysis.

Why Kraken Slayer Remains a Reliable Power Pick

Few items in League of Legends match Kraken Slayer’s blend of cost-efficiency, sustained damage scaling, and versatility across roles and game phases. It rewards those who maintain steady mechanical performance and target prioritization while offering reliable scaling against increasingly tank-heavy metas. Whether you are countering frontliners or aiming for constant DPS uptime, Kraken Slayer remains one of the most frequently built, highly valued items across all skill tiers and patches, with continued use in professional play and ranked ladder.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kraken Slayer

What does Kraken Slayer do in League of Legends?

Kraken Slayer grants attack damage, attack speed, movement speed, and a passive that deals bonus true damage every third auto-attack, increasing with the enemy’s missing health.

Which champions should build Kraken Slayer?

Champions like Vayne, Kog’Maw, Master Yi, Bel’Veth, Yone, and Jinx – those with sustained auto-attack potential and on-hit mechanics – benefit most.

Is Kraken Slayer better than Galeforce or Shieldbow?

It depends on matchups and your champion. Kraken Slayer is the best pick into tanks and for long fights, while Galeforce adds escape tools and Shieldbow grants survivability.

What is Kraken Slayer’s build path?

Build it using Long Sword, Dagger, and Noonquiver, progressing toward a 3000–3100 gold completion. Full details are available on the Fandom Wiki.

Is Kraken Slayer good against tanks?

Yes, Kraken Slayer excels against tanks due to its stacking true damage and its scaling increase versus low-health enemies.

Does Kraken Slayer work with crit and on-hit effects?

Absolutely. The passive blends well with crit items like Rageblade and on-hit stacking builds. It can also critically strike for added burst damage.

What runes go best with Kraken Slayer?

Precision runes with Press the Attack, Bloodline, Coup de Grace and secondary sustain or utility choices are ideal. Browse configurations via MobaChampion.

How can I counter a Kraken Slayer user?

Play champions with burst or crowd control, zone them from attacking, and apply dive pressure before they can stack their passive damage.

Can Kraken Slayer be used in non-Summoner’s Rift modes?

Yes. It performs exceptionally well in ARAM and One for All formats due to frequent teamfights and extended trades. For more game mode data, visit RankedBoost.

Are there pro players who consistently use Kraken Slayer?

Professional ADCs using Vayne, Aphelios, or Jinx frequently incorporate the item, especially against tank-heavy compositions. Watch competitive patch analyses and breakdowns to see it in action.

Is Kraken Slayer gold efficient?

Yes. Kraken Slayer boasts roughly 87% gold efficiency on base stats alone, with its passive increasing its theoretical value significantly in drawn-out combat.