Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- +Exceptional sustained damage output with Lunar Phase stacking Mark of the Blade for massive burst
- +High mobility and chase potential with passive movement speed boost and multi-hit Crescent Strike resets
- +Ultimate provides both defensive reset and offensive scaling with +60 AD buff for extended fights
Weaknesses
- −Heavily reliant on landing skill shots; missing Spinning Sickle or Crescent Strike significantly reduces damage potential
- −Vulnerable to crowd control during Spinning Sickle channel; can be interrupted mid-rotation
- −Lacks inherent tankiness or defensive mechanics, requiring careful positioning to avoid burst damage
Abilities
PLunar Phase
When wielding dual blades, Yena gains 40 (+10 per level) movement speed and applies Mark of the Blade to enemies she attacks for 5s. When 5 marks stack, the target takes 200% AD physical damage, becomes rooted, and is slowed 80% for 1s. When Yena merges her blades, her attack speed decreases but attack damage increases 50%. During skill use, Yena blocks all crowd control and takes 50% reduced damage.
1Crescent Strike
Yena lunges forward 2 times in a target direction, dealing 80 (+43% AD) physical damage to all enemies hit. If an enemy is struck, this skill can be cast again within 5s.
2Spinning Sickle
Yena throws her blade in a target direction, dealing 180 (+90% AD) physical damage to all enemies hit. When the blade reaches its end, it spins in place for 3s, dealing 72 (+36% AD) physical damage every 0.5s and slowing enemies 50% for 1s. Cooldown is reduced by 5s if Yena retrieves her blade.
RFull Moon
Yena merges her blades and sweeps around her, dealing 200 (+110% AD) physical damage. Her attack power then increases by 60 for 5s. After casting this skill, all of her abilities change.
Skill Order
Priority: R > Q > W| Skill | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1Crescent Strike | 1 | · | 3 | · | 5 | · | 7 | · | 9 | · | · | · | 13 | · | · |
2Spinning Sickle | · | 2 | · | 4 | · | · | · | 8 | · | 10 | · | 12 | · | 14 | · |
RFull Moon | · | · | · | · | · | 6 | · | · | · | · | 11 | · | · | · | 15 |
Loadout
Onslaught
Protect
Dragon's ClawStandard Build
1
2
3
4
5
6Core Combos
Mark Stack Burst
112Use against isolated targets with space to kite. Alternate Q and autos to stack marks quickly, finish with W for massive damage when 5 marks trigger
Full Moon Reposition
R21Use R to gain +60 AD and reset positioning in skirmishes. Chain W for lingering damage, then Q for chase/escape with reset potential
Skirmish Escape
21When caught, cast W to slow enemies and gain distance, Flicker away from danger, use Q reset to chase or escape further
Gameplan
Early Game
Levels 1–6- →Farm safely with Q spam; the reset mechanic on hit allows safe wave clear while stacking marks on minions
- →Avoid prolonged trades with multiple enemies; Yena excels in 1v1 but falls off in early team fights without items
- →Roam with jungler when marks are already stacked on an enemy laner to guarantee the 5-mark execute burst
Mid Game
Post Broken Spear- →Transition into split-pushing or side lane skirmishes where you can isolate enemies and leverage mark stacking for solo kills
- →Use Ultimate offensively before major team fights to maximize the +60 AD buff duration; timing R 10 seconds before objective fight is ideal
- →Control vision around your lane; catching enemies alone with 4 marks already applied guarantees a kill
Late Game
Teamfight phase- →Avoid full 5v5 team fights unless you can flank isolated targets; Yena's damage requires target focus and mark stacking time
- →Stick to back-line threats and squishy carries, using R for repositioning and extended skirmishes rather than initiation
- →Maintain spacing to land W casts for chip damage and slows while waiting for ideal 1v1 pick-off opportunities
Matchups
Yena gets countered by
GrakkHook interrupts Spinning Sickle channel and provides unavoidable crowd control that Yena lacks defensive tools to escape
AiriOut-trades Yena in early game and can match her mobility with superior tankiness, making mark stacking inefficient
AllainArmor scaling and crowd control immunity periods nullify Yena's auto-attack dependent mark stacking strategy
Yena synergizes with
PreytaPreyta's freeze and crowd control stack Yena's mark-gathering pressure; enemies caught by Preyta are guaranteed 5-mark execution targets
VioletBoth heroes punish isolated targets; coordinated roams and flanks create unavoidable burst damage on fragmented enemies
LumburrProtective support allows Yena to position aggressively for mark stacking; his crowd control sets up guaranteed burst windows
Pro Tips
- →Track your mark count on enemies; 4 marks means next ability cast triggers 200% AD burst—position aggressively to guarantee the kill
- →Spinning Sickle's lingering damage zone (3 sec) forces enemies to reposition; use it to control space and separate enemies before committing
- →Ultimate provides a hidden repositioning tool mid-fight; use R not just for damage but to reset your position and escape unfavorable angles
Yena is a high-impact S-tier pick with a 52.6% win rate that excels in the current isolated-skirmish meta. Her mark stacking mechanic creates massive burst windows that punish immobile targets, and her skill resets provide superior chase potential. Pick Yena into fragmented team compositions where split-pushing and 1v1 dominance win games; avoid into teams with coordinated crowd control and early-game invade pressure.