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Game patch 26.21Data Dragon 16.21.1

Reference patch 16.20.1

Cassiopeia Mid · Swiftplay

Cassiopeia has an established central-lane plan with access to waves, both sides of the river and meaningful pressure between objectives.

Primary roleFaster starting rules and queue evidence
Champion overview
Review patch unknownRecommendation review pending

These patches track recommendation review, build validation and item lookup separately. Updating item data does not complete a build review.

Recommendation patch
— Data Dragon
Build validation patch
16.19.1 Data Dragon
Item lookup patch
16.20.1 Data Dragon

Swiftplay · Mid

Bootless battle mage

Follow the completed-item order as a pre-game reference. Components and owned items do not create extra inventory slots.

Primary role
S
Swiftplay opening · separate from item 1

Guardian's Orb

950 gold

Adds ability power, health and mana regeneration for repeated spell use in Swiftplay; manaless champions receive health regeneration instead.

1
Mana core

Archangel's Staff

2,900 gold

Completes the six-item inventory with movement speed and ability haste for repeated late-game spell rotations.

2
Control

Rylai's Crystal Scepter

2,600 gold

Adds health and a slow to damaging abilities for spell routes that need repeatable spacing or target control.

3
Sustained damage

Liandry's Torment

3,000 gold

Adds a maximum-health burn and ramping damage for repeated spell contact against durable opponents.

4
Late power

Rabadon's Deathcap

3,500 gold

Multiplies ability power after the functional spell core is complete; move defence or penetration ahead when those problems matter first.

5
Vs resistance

Void Staff

3,000 gold

Adds percentage magic penetration after opponents buy meaningful magic resistance; it is inefficient as an automatic early purchase.

6
Repeated spell rotations

Cosmic Drive

3,000 gold

Adds movement speed and ability haste for repeated late-game spell rotations after the core is established.

Buy this only after selling the Guardian starter when all six permanent slots are needed.

Complete build choices

Choose the route before play

Recommendation review pending

AlternativeToo much healingMorellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.View full route

Best when: Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.

  1. Mana coreArchangel's Staff
  2. ControlRylai's Crystal Scepter
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. Late powerRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Vs resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Buy this only after selling the Guardian starter when all six permanent slots are needed.

AlternativeThey burst meZhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.View full route

Best when: Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

  1. Mana coreArchangel's Staff
  2. ControlRylai's Crystal Scepter
  3. Zhonya's Hourglass
  4. Late powerRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Vs resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Buy this only after selling the Guardian starter when all six permanent slots are needed.

AlternativeOne spell stops meBanshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.View full route

Best when: Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

  1. Mana coreArchangel's Staff
  2. ControlRylai's Crystal Scepter
  3. Sustained damageLiandry's Torment
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. Vs resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Buy this only after selling the Guardian starter when all six permanent slots are needed.

Complete build comparison

Complete build comparison

Recommendation review pending

Build review neededBootless battle mageRecommendation review pendingView full route

Recommendation review pending

  1. Mana coreArchangel's Staff
  2. ControlRylai's Crystal Scepter
  3. Sustained damageLiandry's Torment
  4. Late powerRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Vs resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Buy this only after selling the Guardian starter when all six permanent slots are needed.

AlternativeToo much healingMorellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.View full route

Best when: Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.

  1. Mana coreArchangel's Staff
  2. ControlRylai's Crystal Scepter
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. Late powerRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Vs resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Buy this only after selling the Guardian starter when all six permanent slots are needed.

AlternativeThey burst meZhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.View full route

Best when: Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

  1. Mana coreArchangel's Staff
  2. ControlRylai's Crystal Scepter
  3. Zhonya's Hourglass
  4. Late powerRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Vs resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Buy this only after selling the Guardian starter when all six permanent slots are needed.

AlternativeOne spell stops meBanshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.View full route

Best when: Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

  1. Mana coreArchangel's Staff
  2. ControlRylai's Crystal Scepter
  3. Sustained damageLiandry's Torment
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. Vs resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Buy this only after selling the Guardian starter when all six permanent slots are needed.

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsCassiopeiaMid

This battle-mage page rewards extended spell contact and enough resources to remain useful after the first rotation.

Swiftplay
Primary tree

Precision

ConquerorPresence of MindLegend: HasteLast Stand
Secondary tree

Sorcery

TranscendenceGathering Storm
Summoner spells
FlashTeleport
Choose pressure or recovery

Ignite supports a short kill window; Teleport supports recall and map timing; Barrier protects against immediate burst.

Protect the wave plan

A more aggressive spell pair does not replace safe wave timing, river vision or an escape route.

Static alternatives

Compare the problem before changing the plan

These choices are not selected from live scores. Use one only after you identify the stated match problem yourself.

Only when enemy healing is deciding fights

Oblivion Orb

Oblivion Orb supplies healing reduction without committing to a completed Morellonomicon. Skip both when healing is not the problem or an ally already covers your target reliably. Healing reduction does not reduce shields.

Conditional component, not a core item. Complete Morellonomicon only when its stats and slot efficiency justify delaying another purchase.
They burst me

Zhonya's Hourglass

Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

One spell stops me

Banshee's Veil

Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

Situational AP purchase

When should you buy anti-heal?

Buy healing reduction when enemy healing or regeneration is deciding fights and you can keep damaging the relevant target. Grievous Wounds reduces healing; it does not reduce shields, magic damage or crowd control.

Start with the component

Oblivion Orb can provide healing reduction without immediately paying for a completed Morellonomicon. Fit the component around your core damage, mana and survival needs; check the current queue's item tooltip.

Finish when it fits the fight

Complete Morellonomicon when its stats and slot efficiency suit your build. Do not treat it as a mandatory first item just because your champion deals magic damage.

Coordinate coverage

Multiple Grievous Wounds sources do not add their percentages together. Another reliable applier may cover the same target, but you may still need your own source for a separate fight or target.

Repeated spell damage and damage over time can maintain coverage more reliably than a single hit. Match the purchase to your actual spell access, enemy sustain and the teammates who can apply the debuff.

Will the fight last long enough?

If you die before dealing damage, you apply no healing reduction. If your target dies before healing, there is little healing to prevent. The debuff applies on qualifying damage immediately; it does not need to build up. It remains briefly after your last hit, so teammates can benefit even after you disengage.

Only healing during the active debuff counts. For example, 40% reduction prevents 80 of a 200-point heal, or 400 of a 1,000-point heal, before other modifiers. Compare that with the damage, penetration or survival you delayed; neither example guarantees a kill. Healing after the debuff expires is unaffected.

See the Oblivion Orb and Morellonomicon references for current effects and queue availability. These are situational decisions, not a measured best-build claim.

Kit reference

Cassiopeia abilities

Ability names, descriptions and numeric fields come from Riot Data Dragon. Practical reads are independently written; the current in-game tooltip remains authoritative.

Abilities Data Dragon 16.20.1Cooldown (s) / Cost / Listed range (units) Data Dragon 16.20.1
P
Passive

Serpentine Grace

What it doesAll Move Speed bonuses are more effective on Cassiopeia.

Q
Q ability

Noxious Blast

What it doesCassiopeia blasts an area with Poison after a brief delay, granting her increased Move Speed if she hits an enemy champion.

Cooldown (s)3.5Cost50/55/60/65/70Listed range (units)850
W
W ability

Miasma

What it doesCassiopeia releases several clouds of poison, slowing, grounding, and lightly damaging enemies that pass through them. Grounded enemies cannot use Movement abilities.

Cooldown (s)24/22/20/18/16Cost70/75/80/85/90Listed range (units)700
E
E ability

Twin Fang

What it doesCassiopeia lets loose an attack that deals increased damage to Poisoned targets and heals her for a percentage of the damage dealt. If the target dies from this attack, Cassiopeia regains Mana.

Cooldown (s)0.75Cost45Listed range (units)700
R
Ultimate

Petrifying Gaze

What it doesCassiopeia releases a swirl of magical energy from her eyes, stunning any enemies in front of her that are facing her and slowing any others with their back turned.

Cooldown (s)120/100/80Cost100Listed range (units)825

Adapt the plan

What to do when the game changes

Judge the whole lane or map state, not only personal kills. Choose the situation closest to the current game.

Even plan

Manage the wave and keep both sides of the map visible

1
Lane

Trade when your key ability and minion position favour you; an even lane does not require a forced solo kill.

2
Map play

Move on a completed wave and return before several waves are lost to the tower.

3
Fights

Position for the champion's reliable damage or control instead of beginning with the lowest-percentage spell.

Pings, movement and objectives

Cassiopeia Mid map plan

Mid can reach either side, but the wave pays for every move. Communicate the opponent first, then move only when the route and destination are credible.

Ahead

Use priority to arrive first, not recklessly

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing when the opponent leaves, On My Way before entering river and Danger on the route the opponent may use.
Stay or roam
Roam after clearing the wave and choose the side where allies can participate. Return before several waves are lost.
Objective
Reach river with the Jungler, control one entrance and preserve the spell that stops an enemy engage or secures the first target.
Even

Turn one managed wave into map pressure

Ping
Use Enemy Missing immediately, then On My Way only when you are genuinely moving rather than considering it.
Stay or roam
Move after the wave is handled. If following requires entering fog alone, ping Danger and take the safe route instead.
Objective
Help establish river vision before the start. Do not burn the only control spell on poke if it is needed to protect the entrance.
Behind

Clear safely and warn both side lanes

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing early and repeat Danger on the threatened side. Use Retreat if matching the roam would expose you to another kill.
Stay or roam
Follow through established vision or remain Mid and recover farm. A late blind follow often loses both positions.
Objective
Approach behind the front line and use reliable control or range. Trade the objective if the team cannot safely enter river.
Objective setup

Four calls, in order

Pings create a shared plan; they do not replace checking waves, vision and who can move.

  1. 1
    Handle the wave

    Push, catch or communicate the wave before leaving so the opponent does not gain a free move and free income.

  2. 2
    Signal the route

    Use On My Way for the route you are actually taking and Danger where an unseen opponent may arrive.

  3. 3
    Enter together

    Move through controlled vision with the Jungler or another ally instead of face-checking the objective alone.

  4. 4
    Choose the job

    Decide whether you are engaging, front-lining, flanking or protecting a carry before the fight begins.

Later objectives: Repeat the same process around later major objectives: handle nearby income, communicate the route, enter through vision and agree on the fight before committing.

Use the guide

Put Cassiopeia into a real matchup

Compare a specific opponent, return to the champion overview, or choose another champion without losing the queue distinction.

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