How to counter Yi Sun-shin
4 hard counters, 6 soft · 3 counter-items · full Yi Sun-shin guide
What Yi Sun-shin is bad at
- Both weapon ranges require constant repositioning to stay in the correct band for optimal damage
- Traceless's control immunity lasts only one second, leaving him vulnerable the moment it ends
- Low innate durability means a landed hard CC chain outside Traceless usually kills him
- Mountain Shocker's ram has a wind-up after activation, giving alert enemies time to scatter
Every counter below works by pressing one of these.
Hard counters to Yi Sun-shin
Pick one of these and the matchup is decided before the fight starts.
KarinaAssassinHardKarina's true damage scales off missing HP and ignores the physical defense Yi Sun-shin itemizes, killing him before Traceless's immunity is up again.
GrangerMarksmanHardGranger's burst shots outrange and outdamage Yi Sun-shin's weapon-swap combo before he can close to an effective range.
XavierMageHardXavier's Mystic Field immobilize locks Yi Sun-shin in place right as Dawning Light lands, bypassing Traceless's one-second control immunity window.
NataliaAssassinHardAssassin Instinct teleports her behind Yi Sun-shin with a silence, and Smoke Bomb makes her immune to his Basic Attacks entirely, shutting down the weapon-swap kiting his kit depends on.
Soft counters
Favourable, but Yi Sun-shin can still play around them.
UranusTankSoftRadiance regenerates HP off every hit he absorbs and Transcendent Ward's shield detonates when it breaks, so Yi Sun-shin's Basic Attack pressure only feeds Uranus's sustain.
EsmeraldaTank · MageSoftFrostmoon Shield soaks Blood Floods' charged arrow and Starmoon Casket converts that shield straight into HP, so his biggest burst just tops her up.
HildaFighter · TankSoftArt of Hunting locks onto Yi Sun-shin and its third strike knocks him out of his preferred weapon range, breaking the Weapon Mastery rotation while Blessing of Wilderness refills her shield from every bush.
HayabusaAssassinSoftHayabusa's shadow teleports dodge Blood Floods' charged shot and burst Yi Sun-shin down before he can weapon-swap for a counter.
LolitaSupport · TankSoftGuardian's Reflection sends the ranged Blood Floods arrow he relies on for longbow burst straight back at him.
AlucardFighter · AssassinSoftFission Wave's permanent Hybrid Lifesteal and Whirling Smash's AoE outlast Yi Sun-shin in an extended duel, and Pursuit gives Alucard a free dash after every skill to stay on him.
Items to build against Yi Sun-shin
You cannot always change your pick. You can always change your fourth slot.
Winter CrownDodges the burst window right after Blood Floods' charged shot lands.
Tough BootsCuts the duration of any CC that lands outside Traceless's one-second immunity window.
Antique CuirassHis skill hits trigger Deter, which then cuts every point of Physical Damage he deals for 2 seconds, weapon-swap Basic Attacks included.
Do not pick these into Yi Sun-shin
Heroes whose own counter list names Yi Sun-shin — these matchups go the other way. A red dot marks a hard counter.
Why Yi Sun-shin works
Common questions
Who counters Yi Sun-shin in Mobile Legends?
Uranus, Karina, Esmeralda, Hilda, Granger all beat Yi Sun-shin. Karina is the hardest counter: Karina's true damage scales off missing HP and ignores the physical defense Yi Sun-shin itemizes, killing him before Traceless's immunity is up again.
What items should I build against Yi Sun-shin?
Winter Crown: Dodges the burst window right after Blood Floods' charged shot lands. Tough Boots: Cuts the duration of any CC that lands outside Traceless's one-second immunity window. Antique Cuirass: His skill hits trigger Deter, which then cuts every point of Physical Damage he deals for 2 seconds, weapon-swap Basic Attacks included.
What is Yi Sun-shin's biggest weakness?
Both weapon ranges require constant repositioning to stay in the correct band for optimal damage