From runes to items, gameplay tips amd more, we've put together a guide to help you master playing Caitlyn in the botlane in League of Legends.
Be mindful that there are several ways to build and play a champion, and you'll need to be adaptable as the game and the enemy team progress.
That said, this guide is a good starting point to helping you get to grips with the champion and making an impact in your games.
Runes
Core Items
3400 Gold
2500 Gold
Build
Galeforce is an item that grants Caitlyn some much-needed mobility, and therefore more survivability against more agile ADCs in lane.
Rapid Firecannon adds to that, increasing her range so that she can safely take out enemies from afar.
Other good items include Stormrazor, The Collector, and Infinity Edge.
Starting Item & Boots
50 Gold
350 Gold
1100 Gold
Skill Order
While your choices may differ according to how the game progresses, the typical Caitlyn skill priority is:
R > Q > W > E
Summoner Spells
These are the summoner spells most typically taken by Caitlyn in this role. Naturally, this may change depending on match-ups.
Gameplay
Caitlyn has the best range of all ADCs, so you'll want to play safe and hang back in lane. This will also help prevent frequent ganks, while allowing her to shred her opponents with relative ease.
- Level 1 - Take Q - Piltover Peacemaker, so you can begin harassing your enemy right from the start. It also helps with wave clear, passing through minions and dealing damage.
- Level 2 - Take W - Yordle Snap Trap, so you can zone your opponent and help protect against supports like Morgana or Leona who can lock you down easily.
- First Back - Your boots will help with Caitlyn's slow attack speed, as well as providing a little mobility.
Tips & Tricks
- If you're quick enough, you can combine Piltover Peacemaker with 90 Caliber Net - when timed well, the Peacemaker will start from your initial position, rather than where you end up.
- Yordle Snap Traps can be used in many ways - to zone your opponent, to funnel them into a narrow space, to prevent opponents getting near when you're taking a turret, or to keep them from yours. You can also chain them with other hard-CC options, such as Nami's Bubble.
- Enemies caught in a Yordle Snap Trap will still take 100% Piltover Peacemaker damage.
- Ace in the Hole is also flexible, and can be used to take down a fleeing opponent, or weaken a fragile target before a teamfight. It also grants vision of the target throughout, so your teammates can see and attack.
- Caitlyn has the largest range in the game from the beginning, so use this to punish your opposing ADC every time they last hit. Soon they'll have to back, giving you free farm.
- Try to position yourself in a bush at the beginning of a teamfight - your passive will activate twice as quickly in that case.
- 90 Caliber Net can take you through walls, so use this to escape when the going gets tough - maybe you'll force an enemy to burn their Flash.
