Yasuo Mid Lane Build Guides, Runes, Items, and Abilities

Yasuo, the Unforgiven, is one of the most iconic and mechanically intensive champions in League of Legends. As a melee AD carry, Yasuo thrives on high mobility, strong damage potential, and game-changing team fight plays. His ability to utilize critical strike builds and his signature wind-themed abilities make him a fan favorite for those seeking a high-risk, high-reward playstyle.

1. Strengths:

High Mobility: Sweeping Blade (E) allows Yasuo to dash through enemies continuously, giving him unmatched mobility in skirmishes and team fights.

Exceptional Damage Scaling: Yasuo’s passive, Way of the Wanderer, doubles his critical strike chance, allowing him to build efficiently and deal immense damage.

Strong Crowd Control: At two stacks of Gathering Storm, Steel Tempest (Q) can launch a whirlwind that knocks enemies Airborne, setting up powerful plays.

Projectile Denial: Wind Wall (W) is a unique tool that blocks all enemy projectiles, protecting Yasuo and his team from ranged threats.

Game-Changing Ultimate: Last Breath (R) synergizes with knock-up abilities, allowing Yasuo to deal massive area-of-effect damage and shred through enemies in team fights.

2. Weaknesses:

Fragile Early Game: Yasuo is highly vulnerable to crowd control and burst damage, especially before completing his core items.

Dependent on Knock-Ups: Yasuo relies heavily on his own or allies' knock-up abilities to fully utilize Last Breath (R).

High Skill Ceiling: Yasuo’s mechanics, such as timing Steel Tempest (Q) and positioning with Sweeping Blade (E), require extensive practice and precision.

Team Reliance: Without proper setup or coordination, Yasuo can struggle to contribute effectively in team fights.

Master the Flow Shield: Yasuo’s passive shield from Way of the Wanderer can block significant damage. Time your engages to activate it optimally.

Stack Gathering Storm Wisely: Use Steel Tempest (Q) to poke and stack Gathering Storm for your whirlwind. Look for opportunities to knock Airborne multiple enemies.

Combine Q with E: Casting Steel Tempest while dashing with Sweeping Blade creates a circular strike. Use this combo for quick and unpredictable damage.

Position Wind Wall Strategically: Place Wind Wall (W) to block key projectiles like Ashe’s Enchanted Crystal Arrow or Jhin’s Curtain Call, protecting both yourself and your team.

Coordinate for Last Breath: Communicate with allies who have knock-up abilities (e.g., Malphite, Alistar) to maximize the impact of Last Breath (R) in team fights.

Adapt Your Build: Focus on items like Immortal Shieldbow for survivability or Infinity Edge for raw damage. Adjust based on the enemy team composition.

Wave Management: Use your mobility from Sweeping Blade to weave through minions and trade effectively in lane while maintaining proper wave control.

Ward Aggressively: Yasuo’s high mobility can lure him into overextension. Place wards to avoid unnecessary deaths from enemy jungler ganks.

• E + AA + Q + E: E, then AA, Q and E back out again.
• Q + FLASH: Use your Q, then Flash instantly.
• Q + Q + W + Q + R: Prep your Q3, then W, Q and follow that with your R.
• Q + Q + E + Q + AA + R + AA: Prep your Q3, then E, Q, AA, R and AA to finish.
• E + Q + FLASH + E + Q + R + AA + Q + AA: Charge up your Q3, then E, Q, Flash onto your enemy, then E, Q, R and follow that with an AA, another Q and another AA.
• Q + Q + Q + E + Q + R: Hit a Q3, then E, Q and R your enemy.
• Q + Q + E + Q + FLASH + AA + R: Get your Q3 ready, then E, Q and Flash instantly onto your target, then AA quickly before using your R

1. Early game

• After your bot lane has rotated to the mid lane, move to the side lane and start farming and gaining XP there. You can look to 1v1 any enemy who tries to stop you.
• Look for frequent trades with the enemy throughout the laning phase. Getting an early kill could snowball the lane heavily in your favour.
• Once you’re level 6, look to play more aggressive. Your Ultimate Last Breath R is a great skirmishing tool and you can get early kills with it.

2. Mid game

• Flank in team fights to make getting on the enemy backline easily. Make sure you’re near your team at all times so you can get in the fight fast.
• After your bot lane has moved to the mid lane, rotate to the bot side of the map or somewhere else on the map so you can continue to farm and gain XP.
• As you’re good at getting picks and killing isolated targets, try to ambush and assassinate enemies who are alone or walking around Summoners Rift alone. After killing someone, make the call for a nearby objective.

3. Late game

• In the late game, look for picks on immobile or miss positioned enemies. Taking someone down in the late game can give you enough time to force a fight, siege an objective or take the Baron or Elder Dragon.
• If the enemy is grouping, look to group with your team too. In team fights, continue to focus the squishiest and easiest to kill high priority targets in the backline.
• Flank in team fights to make getting on the enemy backline easily. Make sure you’re near your team at all times so you can get in the fight fast, especially allies with knockups.

Yasuo is a champion who rewards dedication and mastery. His high skill ceiling, unique abilities, and late-game potential make him a strong pick for players who enjoy outplaying their opponents and carrying games. While he comes with significant risks, a skilled Yasuo player can dominate the Rift and create unforgettable moments. With practice and strategic thinking, Yasuo can truly become the Unforgiven force that every team fears.

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Good luck to you! – Cheng