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Mid · Ranked Solo/DuoMatchup guidePatch 16.20.1

Yasuo vs Vex

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

YasuoVSVex

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

MidYasuo

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

Primary role
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

Crit skirmisher

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

Primary role
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, manually checked against Riot patch 26.17. Compare its durability, sustain and damage trade-off before leaving base.

1
Boots

Kraken Slayer

3,000 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot, manually checked against Riot patch 26.17. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

2
First core

Berserker's Greaves

1,100 gold

This is the most-supported Boots choice in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot, manually checked against Riot patch 26.17; change it when the opposing damage or crowd control calls for a different defence.

3
Critical damage

Immortal Shieldbow

3,000 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot, manually checked against Riot patch 26.17. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

4
Fight sustain

Infinity Edge

3,500 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot, manually checked against Riot patch 26.17. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

5
Safety

Guardian Angel

3,200 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

AlternativeToo much healingChempunk Chainsword adds anti-heal without abandoning attack damage and health.View full route

Best when: Chempunk Chainsword adds anti-heal without abandoning attack damage and health.

  1. BootsKraken Slayer
  2. First coreBerserker's Greaves
  3. Chempunk Chainsword
  4. Fight sustainInfinity Edge
  5. SafetyGuardian Angel
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativePhysical burstDeath's Dance delays physical damage so takedowns can stabilise the fight.View full route

Best when: Death's Dance delays physical damage so takedowns can stabilise the fight.

  1. BootsKraken Slayer
  2. First coreBerserker's Greaves
  3. Death's Dance
  4. Fight sustainInfinity Edge
  5. SafetyGuardian Angel
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeSustained magic damageKaenic Rookern is a defensive answer when repeated magic damage is the real problem.View full route

Best when: Kaenic Rookern is a defensive answer when repeated magic damage is the real problem.

  1. BootsKraken Slayer
  2. First coreBerserker's Greaves
  3. Critical damageImmortal Shieldbow
  4. Kaenic Rookern
  5. SafetyGuardian Angel
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeThey stack armourBlack Cleaver shreds armour during extended fights.View full route

Best when: Black Cleaver shreds armour during extended fights.

  1. BootsKraken Slayer
  2. First coreBerserker's Greaves
  3. Black Cleaver
  4. Fight sustainInfinity Edge
  5. SafetyGuardian Angel
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster

Complete build comparison

Complete build comparison

Recommendation review pending

Build review neededCrit skirmisherRecommendation review pendingView full route

Recommendation review pending

  1. BootsKraken Slayer
  2. First coreBerserker's Greaves
  3. Critical damageImmortal Shieldbow
  4. Fight sustainInfinity Edge
  5. SafetyGuardian Angel
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeToo much healingChempunk Chainsword adds anti-heal without abandoning attack damage and health.View full route

Best when: Chempunk Chainsword adds anti-heal without abandoning attack damage and health.

  1. BootsKraken Slayer
  2. First coreBerserker's Greaves
  3. Chempunk Chainsword
  4. Fight sustainInfinity Edge
  5. SafetyGuardian Angel
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativePhysical burstDeath's Dance delays physical damage so takedowns can stabilise the fight.View full route

Best when: Death's Dance delays physical damage so takedowns can stabilise the fight.

  1. BootsKraken Slayer
  2. First coreBerserker's Greaves
  3. Death's Dance
  4. Fight sustainInfinity Edge
  5. SafetyGuardian Angel
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeSustained magic damageKaenic Rookern is a defensive answer when repeated magic damage is the real problem.View full route

Best when: Kaenic Rookern is a defensive answer when repeated magic damage is the real problem.

  1. BootsKraken Slayer
  2. First coreBerserker's Greaves
  3. Critical damageImmortal Shieldbow
  4. Kaenic Rookern
  5. SafetyGuardian Angel
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeThey stack armourBlack Cleaver shreds armour during extended fights.View full route

Best when: Black Cleaver shreds armour during extended fights.

  1. BootsKraken Slayer
  2. First coreBerserker's Greaves
  3. Black Cleaver
  4. Fight sustainInfinity Edge
  5. SafetyGuardian Angel
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsYasuoMid

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

Yasuo reminders

  • Dash through a minion to have Sweeping Blade available to chase your opponent should they flee; Dash directly to your opponent to preserve a minion as your escape route.
  • At level 18, Yasuo's Steel Tempest reaches its Attack Speed cap with 55% Attack Speed from items.
  • Last Breath can be cast on any target that is knocked Airborne, even by one of your allies.

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.

Too much healing

Chempunk Chainsword

Chempunk Chainsword adds anti-heal without abandoning attack damage and health.

Physical burst

Death's Dance

Death's Dance delays physical damage so takedowns can stabilise the fight.

Sustained magic damage

Kaenic Rookern

Kaenic Rookern is a defensive answer when repeated magic damage is the real problem.

They stack armour

Black Cleaver

Black Cleaver shreds armour during extended fights.

Ability reference

Compare both kits

Ability reference Data Dragon 16.20.1

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

Yasuo

  1. P
    Way of the Wanderer

    Yasuo's Critical Strike Chance is increased. Additionally, Yasuo builds toward a shield whenever he is moving. The shield triggers when he takes damage from a champion or monster.

  2. Q
    Steel Tempest

    Thrusts forward, damaging all enemies in a line. On hit, grants a stack of Gathering Storm for a few seconds. At 2 stacks, Steel Tempest fires a whirlwind that knocks Airborne. Steel Tempest is treated as a basic attack and scales with all the same things.

    Cooldown (s) 4 · Listed range (units) 475
  3. W
    Wind Wall

    Creates a moving wall that blocks all enemy projectiles for 4 seconds.

    Cooldown (s) 25/23/21/19/17 · Listed range (units) 400
  4. E
    Sweeping Blade

    Dashes through target enemy, dealing magic damage. Each cast increases subsequent dash's damage, up to a max amount. Cannot be re-cast on the same enemy for a few seconds. If Steel Tempest is cast while dashing, it will strike as a circle.

    Cooldown (s) 0.5/0.4/0.3/0.2/0.1 · Listed range (units) 475
  5. R
    Last Breath

    Blinks to an Airborne enemy champion, dealing physical damage and holding all Airborne enemies in the area in the air. Grants maximum Flow but resets all stacks of Gathering Storm. For a moderate time afterwards, Yasuo's critical strikes gain significant Bonus Armor Penetration.

    Cooldown (s) 70/50/30 · Listed range (units) 1400

Vex

  1. P
    Doom 'n Gloom

    Vex periodically becomes empowered, causing her next basic Ability to fear enemies and interrupt dashes. Whenever a nearby enemy dashes, Vex applies a mark that can be consumed for bonus damage that also reduces the cooldown of her empowered state.

  2. Q
    Mistral Bolt

    Launch a damaging missile that accelerates mid-flight.

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

    Gain a shield and damage nearby enemies.

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

    Summon a damaging and slowing zone that applies Gloom to enemies.

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

    Fire a missile that marks an enemy champion. Recast to dash to them and deal damage.

    Cooldown (s) 140/120/100 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 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

Yasuo 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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