Good patterns
- Combines damage and durability in committed skirmishes or extended exchanges.
- Rewards using the kit's main range, timing and target pattern deliberately.
Game patch 26.20Data Dragon 16.20.1
Reference patch 16.20.1
Kled
the Cantankerous Cavalier
Kled is a close-range combatant who balances damage, durability and the timing of a commitment. This overview keeps the explanation practical and leaves patch-sensitive numbers to Riot's structured data and the current in-game tooltip.
Usual roleTop◆ClassFighter
7DifficultyMedium · 7/10
◎Basic attacksMeleeMelee basic attacks · 125 range.
◈Damage profileMostly physical damageMost normal kit pressure is physical. Armour may help, but check whether attacks or abilities are the main source.
#Reference patch16.20.1
Strengths and limits
What Kled does well, and what can go wrong
These are kit-level patterns, not a promise that every lane or matchup plays the same way.
Limits to respect
- Can be worn down or controlled before reaching the range where the kit is strongest.
- Basic attacks require close access, so enemy range, slows and displacement can deny a clean trade.
Riot ally tips
Use these while learning the championKled generates some courage by killing minions, but gets much more from fighting Champions.
The last hit of Violent Tendencies deals more damage than the first three - make sure you hit it!
Chaaaaaaaarge!!! can be cast at a great range. Try and predict where the enemy team will be by the time you reach them.
Riot opponent tips
What an opponent is told to watch forKled generates courage by damaging enemies with his Pocket Pistol and basic attacks, killing minions, and attacking structures or epic monsters.
Watch Kled's courage bar when he's off his mount - when it reaches 100%, he will remount and regain a significant amount of health.
Kled is much more threatening when he has Violent Tendencies ready.
Practical champion reading
How to read Kled in a real fight
Use these patterns to ask better questions before choosing an item, target or commitment. They describe the kit, not a guaranteed result.
Primarily physical pressure
Armour can reduce the broad physical profile. Separate basic attacks from physical abilities before relying on an item passive that only affects attacks.
Repeated access matters
The threat grows while this champion can keep attacking a useful target. Break target access, create distance or use control before the repeated pattern settles in.
Needs close access for basic attacks
Range, slows, displacement and terrain can deny the clean contact this champion wants. Plan the route in as carefully as the damage after arrival.
Choose a sustainable commitment
Extended contact can favour the kit, but only when the champion reaches the right target without losing too much health on the way in.
Identify the exact movement restriction
Tenacity can shorten only eligible control. Displacements, airborne effects and repeated slows need their own positioning, blocking or movement answer.
Check whether recovery changes the fight
Anti-heal or anti-shielding is situational. Buy it only when the effect is materially protecting targets and your champion can apply the answer reliably.
Courage and cooldowns both matter
A spell being available does not mean the complete sequence is sustainable. Watch the resource bar as well as the setup and escape cooldowns.
Defensive item reference
What can help against Kled?
Start with the threat that is actually affecting the match. These are conditional comparisons, not an automatic counter build.
DEFENSIVE BOOTS
Plated Steelcaps usually fit better
Armour and attack reduction address repeated physical basic attacks. The passive does not reduce every physical ability.
Choose Mercury's Treads instead when magic damage or reducible crowd control across the full team matters more.Normal Draft and Ranked role map
Where Kled fits on Summoner's Rift
Each lane is assessed separately. Open a role to reach its queue-specific build and matchup preparation.
TopPrimary role
Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Kled has an established solo-lane plan with the income and space needed to trade, manage waves and influence a side lane.
JungleUnestablished route
Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Kled is normally played Top and does not currently have a reviewed Jungle route. Jungle usually needs repeatable monster clear, safe pathing and objective control without lane income. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.
MidUnestablished route
Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Kled is normally played Top and does not currently have a reviewed Mid route. Mid usually needs solo-lane safety plus wave control, roaming or reliable burst pressure. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.
BotUnestablished route
Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Kled is normally played Top and does not currently have a reviewed Bot route. Bot usually needs dependable duo-lane scaling and sustained damage with shared early pressure. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.
SupportUnestablished route
Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Kled is normally played Top and does not currently have a reviewed Support route. Support usually needs useful engage, peel or utility while operating on low gold income. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.
Kit reference
Kled 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 / Cost / Range Data Dragon 16.20.1
P
Passive
Skaarl, the Cowardly Lizard
What it doesKled rides his trusty steed, Skaarl, who takes damage for him. When Skaarl's health depletes, Kled dismounts. While dismounted, Kled's abilities change and he deals less damage to champions. Kled can restore Skaarl's courage by fighting enemies. At maximum courage, Kled remounts with a portion of Skaarl's health.
Practical readSkaarl, the Cowardly Lizard is an automatic part of the kit involving damage. Track when its condition is active instead of treating every fight the same way.
Q
Q ability
Bear Trap on a Rope
What it doesKled throws a bear trap that damages and hooks an enemy champion. If shackled for a short duration, the target takes additional physical damage and is yanked toward Kled. When dismounted, this ability is replaced by Pocket Pistol, a ranged gun blast that knocks back Kled and restores courage.
Practical readBear Trap on a Rope creates setup or area pressure. Place it where the opponent must choose between entering its space, changing route or giving up the immediate contest.
Cooldown11/10/9/8/7 secListed range800 units
W
W ability
Violent Tendencies
What it doesKled gains massive attack speed for four attacks. The fourth attack deals more damage.
Practical readViolent Tendencies contributes basic-attack interaction and damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.
Cooldown13/12/11/10/9 sec
E
E ability
Jousting
What it doesKled dashes, dealing physical damage and gaining a short burst of speed. Kled can cast this ability again to dash back through his initial target, dealing the same damage.
Practical readJousting contributes movement or repositioning and damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.
Cooldown13/12/11/10/9 secListed range550 units
Movement
The cast changes position or access. Account for where the champion finishes, not only where the ability begins.
R
Ultimate
Chaaaaaaaarge!!!
What it doesKled and Skaarl charge to a location, leaving a speed-granting trail behind them and gaining a shield. Skaarl locks onto and rams the first enemy champion encountered.
Practical readChaaaaaaaarge!!! contributes movement or repositioning and protection or sustain. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.
Cooldown140/125/110 secListed range3500/4000/4500 units
Champion interception
Another enemy champion can affect who receives the important hit. Check the line between the caster and intended target.
Protection
The protection or sustain is part of the cast's value. Compare its timing with incoming damage rather than reading only the offensive effect.
Levels 1–18
Kled · Health / Courage · Abilities
Base values exclude items, runes, temporary buffs and mode-specific modifiers. Cooldowns are the listed base cooldown before ability haste.
Cooldown Data Dragon 16.20.1
Basic abilityBear Trap on a Rope
Can receive its first point from level 1. Later ranks normally become available at levels 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Rank 111 secRank 210 secRank 39 secRank 48 secRank 57 sec
Basic abilityViolent Tendencies
Can receive its first point from level 1. Later ranks normally become available at levels 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Rank 113 secRank 212 secRank 311 secRank 410 secRank 59 sec
Basic abilityJousting
Can receive its first point from level 1. Later ranks normally become available at levels 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Rank 113 secRank 212 secRank 311 secRank 410 secRank 59 sec
UltimateChaaaaaaaarge!!!
First rank becomes available at level 6; later ranks normally become available at levels 11 and 16.
Rank 1140 secRank 2125 secRank 3110 sec
Open every levelHealth and courage from level 1 to 18
| Level | Health | Courage | Ability milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 410 | 100 Courage | Choose the first basic ability |
| 2 | 470 | 100 Courage | Add another basic ability or rank |
| 3 | 534 | 100 Courage | Add another basic ability or rank |
| 4 | 600 | 100 Courage | Spend one ability point |
| 5 | 670 | 100 Courage | Spend one ability point |
| 6 | 742 | 100 Courage | First ultimate rank normally available |
| 7 | 817 | 100 Courage | Spend one ability point |
| 8 | 895 | 100 Courage | Spend one ability point |
| 9 | 976 | 100 Courage | Spend one ability point |
| 10 | 1,060 | 100 Courage | Spend one ability point |
| 11 | 1,147 | 100 Courage | Second ultimate rank normally available |
| 12 | 1,237 | 100 Courage | Spend one ability point |
| 13 | 1,330 | 100 Courage | Spend one ability point |
| 14 | 1,426 | 100 Courage | Spend one ability point |
| 15 | 1,524 | 100 Courage | Spend one ability point |
| 16 | 1,626 | 100 Courage | Final ultimate rank normally available |
| 17 | 1,730 | 100 Courage | Spend one ability point |
| 18 | 1,838 | 100 Courage | Spend one ability point |
Choose the next question
Turn the profile into a pre-game plan
Choose a queue-aware build, compare a lane opponent, or return to the full champion library.