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Mid · Ranked Solo/DuoMatchup guidePatch 16.20.1

Tristana vs Vex

Build, runes, abilities and practical pre-game checks in one queue-aware reference.

TristanaVSVex

Matchup guide

Choose the matchup

Search every champion, choose the assigned role, then open the exact queue page.

VS
Role
Selected laneMid

Choose two champions from the list.

Role fit

MidTristana

Tristana has a reviewed secondary role here. It is less common than the primary roles, but it has a recognisable role-specific plan.

Reviewed secondary
Historical referenceRecommendation review pending

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

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

Ranked Solo/Duo · Mid

Evidence-supported Tristana Mid

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

Reviewed secondary
S
Draft / Ranked opening · separate from item 1

Doran's Bow

400 gold

This is the most-supported Draft/Ranked starting item in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Compare its durability, sustain and damage trade-off before leaving base.

1
First item

The Collector

3,000 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

2
Boots

Berserker's Greaves

1,100 gold

This is the most-supported Boots choice in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot; change it when the opposing damage or crowd control calls for a different defence.

3
Core

Navori Flickerblade

2,650 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

4
Late

Infinity Edge

3,500 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

5
Flexible

Lord Dominik's Regards

3,300 gold

Keeps a reviewed late option after the prior-patch cross-check; move or replace it only when its stated match problem is present.

6
Late sustain

Bloodthirster

3,400 gold

Completes the six-item inventory with high attack damage and sustain for extended late fights.

Complete build choices

Choose the route before play

Recommendation review pending

AlternativeThey burst meGuardian Angel protects a completed damage core from one decisive death.View full route

Best when: Guardian Angel protects a completed damage core from one decisive death.

  1. First itemThe Collector
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. CoreNavori Flickerblade
  4. LateInfinity Edge
  5. Guardian Angel
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeMagic damage reaches meWit's End adds magic resistance without giving up attack speed.View full route

Best when: Wit's End adds magic resistance without giving up attack speed.

  1. First itemThe Collector
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. CoreNavori Flickerblade
  4. Wit's End
  5. FlexibleLord Dominik's Regards
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster

Complete build comparison

Complete build comparison

Recommendation review pending

Build review neededEvidence-supported Tristana MidRecommendation review pendingView full route

Recommendation review pending

  1. First itemThe Collector
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. CoreNavori Flickerblade
  4. LateInfinity Edge
  5. FlexibleLord Dominik's Regards
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeThey burst meGuardian Angel protects a completed damage core from one decisive death.View full route

Best when: Guardian Angel protects a completed damage core from one decisive death.

  1. First itemThe Collector
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. CoreNavori Flickerblade
  4. LateInfinity Edge
  5. Guardian Angel
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeMagic damage reaches meWit's End adds magic resistance without giving up attack speed.View full route

Best when: Wit's End adds magic resistance without giving up attack speed.

  1. First itemThe Collector
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. CoreNavori Flickerblade
  4. Wit's End
  5. FlexibleLord Dominik's Regards
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsTristanaMid

Create one clean burst window after managing the Mid wave instead of forcing every cooldown into the lane.

Ranked Solo/Duo
Primary tree

Domination

ElectrocuteSudden ImpactGrisly MementosUltimate Hunter
Secondary tree

Sorcery

TranscendenceScorch
Summoner spells
FlashIgnite
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.

Matchup notes

What changes when Vex is opposite you?

Pre-game kit comparison
Kit comparison

Respect the opponent's reliable threat

Track the cooldown and range of the ability that starts their safest trade. Do not treat this page as a statistical counter claim.

Your plan

Use the route you prepared

Treat Vex as one part of the map state. Their Jungler, nearby waves and which teammates can move determine whether the same trade or rotation is safe.

Ability reminders

Tristana reminders

  • Her massive gun allows Tristana to fire on targets at a great distance. Utilize this to prevent your enemies from ever laying a hand on you.
  • Use Rocket Jump after you have stacked up your Explosive Charge on an enemy to finish them off with a burst of damage.
  • Use Rapid Fire to help stack up your Explosive Charge on enemy champions.

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.

They burst me

Guardian Angel

Guardian Angel protects a completed damage core from one decisive death.

Magic damage reaches me

Wit's End

Wit's End adds magic resistance without giving up attack speed.

Ability reference

Compare both kits

Ability reference Data Dragon 16.20.1

Cooldown / Cost / Range Data Dragon 16.20.1

Tristana

  1. P
    Draw a Bead

    Draw a Bead is the always-on rule shaping Tristana's normal trading and fight pattern. Watch its in-game state before committing.

  2. Q
    Rapid Fire

    Rapid Fire is a ranged cast involving basic-attack interaction. Respect its line or target area, and avoid spending it when the opponent can simply step away before the important exchange.

    Cooldown 20/19/18/17/16 · Cost 15/20/25/30/35 · Listed range 20
  3. W
    Rocket Jump

    Rocket Jump is a ranged cast involving a slowing effect and damage. Respect its line or target area, and avoid spending it when the opponent can simply step away before the important exchange.

    Cooldown 22/20/18/16/14 · Cost 30/35/40/45/50 · Listed range 900
  4. E
    Explosive Charge

    Explosive Charge contributes damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

    Cooldown 16/15.5/15/14.5/14 · Cost 50/55/60/65/70 · Listed range 550
  5. R
    Buster Shot

    Buster Shot is a ranged cast involving movement or repositioning and damage. Respect its line or target area, and avoid spending it when the opponent can simply step away before the important exchange.

    Cooldown 100 · Cost 100 · Listed range 550

Vex

  1. P
    Doom 'n Gloom

    Doom 'n Gloom is an automatic part of the kit involving hard crowd control and damage. Track when its condition is active instead of treating every fight the same way.

  2. Q
    Mistral Bolt

    Mistral Bolt is a ranged cast involving its listed effect. Respect its line or target area, and avoid spending it when the opponent can simply step away before the important exchange.

    Cooldown 8/7/6/5/4 · Cost 45/50/55/60/65 · Listed range 1200
  3. W
    Personal Space

    Personal Space contributes protection or sustain and damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

    Cooldown 16/15/14/13/12 · Cost 75 · Listed range 475
  4. E
    Looming Darkness

    Looming Darkness creates setup or area pressure. Place it where the opponent must choose between entering its space, changing route or giving up the immediate contest.

    Cooldown 12 · Cost 70/80/90/100/110 · Listed range 800
  5. R
    Shadow Surge

    Shadow Surge is a ranged cast involving movement or repositioning and damage. Respect its line or target area, and avoid spending it when the opponent can simply step away before the important exchange.

    Cooldown 140/120/100 · Cost 100 · Listed range 2000/2500/3000

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

Tristana 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.

Keep preparing

Use the champion page or choose another opponent

The matchup page is a pre-game reference. It does not predict the result or alter its recommendation from changing live match data.

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