A TIERtankSupport / RoamMediumPatch 1.61
Y'bneth

Y'bneth

Unbreakable defender with crowd control mastery

Win Rate
50%
Pick Rate
30.2%
Ban Rate
13.4%
BuffedPatch 1.61
  • Skill 1 (Wicked Thorns) base damage: 4% Max HP + 1%/lv + 0.6AD → 5% Max HP + 1%/lv + 0.8AD.
  • Skill 1: Shield 6% max HP → 8% max HP.
Overview

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

  • +Exceptional crowd control and lockdown potential for initiating fights
  • +High durability with strong defensive scaling for soaking damage in teamfights
  • +Versatile engagement tools allowing both offensive and reactive plays

Weaknesses

  • Limited mobility makes kiting difficult against ranged poke damage
  • Early game weakness before building defensive items forces passive farming phase
  • Relies heavily on landing skill shots; missed CC chains reduce teamfight impact significantly
Leveling

Skill Order

Priority: R > Q > W
Skill123456789101112131415
1q
1·3·5·7·9···13··
2w
·2·4···8·10·12·14·
Rr
·····6····11···15
Build

Loadout

Live build data unavailable. Refresh or check back shortly.
Mechanics

Core Combos

01

Full Lockdown Chain

AA
Auto

Lead with Q to catch enemies, chain W for additional CC, auto-attack for passive procs, finish with R. Use when enemies are grouped or when you have followup damage from teammates.

02

Defensive Rotation

AA
Auto

When caught out, use W first for immediate protection, auto-attack nearby threats, then reposition with Q. Prioritizes survival over damage output.

Strategy

Gameplan

Early Game

Levels 1–6
  • Focus on farming safely and avoiding unnecessary trades until level 4; your CC scales with items
  • Position behind minions to absorb harass and set up surprise Q engages for kills
  • Rotate to objectives early to establish map control with your crowd control

Mid Game

Post Broken Spear
  • Transition to initiator role by leading teamfights with well-placed Q+W combos; your team follows up
  • Group with carries and deny enemy rotations through vision control and threat presence
  • Pick off isolated targets using your CC chain before major objective fights

Late Game

Teamfight phase
  • Maintain frontline positioning to absorb burst damage and protect backline from divers
  • Use ultimate reactively to lock down enemy carries trying to reposition in fights
  • Secure wins by peeling threats away from your win conditions and forcing favorable 5v5s
Matchups

Matchups

Y'bneth gets countered by

  • Liliana
    Liliana
    Her mobility and burst damage allow her to avoid Y'bneth's CC chains and eliminate him before he can respond effectively
  • Yorn
    Yorn
    Sustained ranged poke keeps Y'bneth at bay, and his escape abilities prevent reliable engagement from the tank
  • Zill
    Zill
    His evasion and repositioning negate Y'bneth's crowd control, while his damage output forces the tank into constant retreat

Y'bneth synergizes with

  • Veera
    Veera
    Y'bneth's CC chains guarantee Veera's abilities land, creating unstoppable burst damage windows
  • Laville
    Laville
    Combined crowd control and heavy armor shred allow this duo to shred tanky enemies while protecting the team
  • Bright
    Bright
    Y'bneth's initiation sets up Bright's healing and utility, while Bright keeps the tank alive through extended engagements
Tips

Pro Tips

  • Angle your Q to hit multiple enemies when possible; the crowd control chain extends the duration of follow-up ganks or teamfight windows
  • Save W as a defensive tool against enemy burst rather than always using it offensively; timing reactive shielding wins fights more than aggressive chains
  • Position at 45-degree angles during fights to maximize both engagement and retreat paths; avoid getting flanked since your mobility is limited

Y'bneth's A-tier status reflects his reliable crowd control and tankiness, making him a staple pick for coordinated ranked teams. Pick him into squishy team compositions and when your team needs reliable initiation; avoid into high-mobility assassins and ranged teams that can kite and bypass your defenses.