Caitlyn Wild Rift Build & Guide

Caitlyn Wild Rift

S Tier

Class: Marksman

Best Caitlyn Wild Rift build guide for Season 11 Patch 5.0 of WR. With our Caitlyn guide you will learn which items to build, runes to select, skill order, who counters Caitlyn, and how to use abilities properly.

Recommended Builds

Starting Item Long Sword
Boots Gluttonous Greaves Quicksilver Enchant
Core Items Stormrazor Infinity Edge Statikk Shiv [This item has been removed from WR]
Complete Build Stormrazor Infinity Edge Quicksilver Enchant Statikk Shiv [This item has been removed from WR] Rapid Firecannon [This item has been removed from WR] Lord Dominik’s Regards [This item has been removed from WR]
Runes
Fleet Footwork
Brutal
Bone Plating
Sweet Tooth
Starting Item Long Sword
Boots Gluttonous Greaves Quicksilver Enchant
Core Items Infinity Edge Statikk Shiv [This item has been removed from WR] Bloodthirster
Complete Build Infinity Edge Statikk Shiv [This item has been removed from WR] Quicksilver Enchant Bloodthirster Stormrazor Lord Dominik’s Regards [This item has been removed from WR]
Runes
Lethal Tempo
Brutal
Bone Plating
Sweet Tooth

Caitlyn Wild Rift Build Recommendation

Here are Item Build Recommendations that works on this champion and which are the best build for Caitlyn Wild Rift in this patch.

The Sheriff of Piltover

Stormrazor Infinity Edge Quicksilver Enchant Statikk Shiv [This item has been removed from WR] Rapid Firecannon [This item has been removed from WR] Lord Dominik’s Regards [This item has been removed from WR]

This is the standard for Caitlyn Wild Rift Build. This build grants her consistent damage output as well as some burst damage in the form of crits and energized attacks. Plus, the extra range and slow from these items grants a lot of utility for the Sheriff of Piltover.

 

The Lethal Sheriff

Infinity Edge Statikk Shiv [This item has been removed from WR] Quicksilver Enchant Bloodthirster Stormrazor Lord Dominik’s Regards [This item has been removed from WR]

This is an alternative Caitlyn Wild Rift build that you use. With this, you are equipped with crit, attack damage, armor penetration from LDR if there’s any tank, and enough lifesteal so you can survive as you hit targets.

Runes for Caitlyn in Wild Rift

Listed below are the things that Caitlyn Wild Rift will need to win fights.

  • Fleet Footwork is the go-to rune for Caitlyn as it helps her with kiting enemies during the laning phase while also giving some form of sustain. In the late game, it synergizes with her long range, making her practically untouchable when played right. Lethal Tempo on the other hand further increases her attack speed for which what she exactly needs.
  • Brutal grants flat damage and armor penetration bonuses which is perfect for an early game bully which Caitlyn is.
  • Bone Plating grants damage reduction against burst damage which Caitlyn hates the most.
  • Sweet Tooth‘s bonus gold on eating honeyfruits will help you reach Caitlyn’s item powerspike timings faster. It also helps in getting the upper hand in the laning phase thanks to the bonus healing effects on the honeyfruits.

Spells

These two are the best spells you can equip for Caitlyn Wild Rift.

Heal is the superior summoner spell for ADCs if your support is not running it. It is better than Barrier because aside from the heal, it also gives a short burst of movement speed. Of course, if your support is running Heal, use Barrier or Exhaust instead.

Flash is a necessary summoner spell for Caitlyn because she is a fairly immobile ADC. Plus, you get to make awesome plays with it.

Skill Order

1
4
6
7
3
8
10
11
2
12
14
15
5
9
13

Caitlyn’s 1st ability, Piltover Peacemaker is maxed first because it is Caitlyn’s main source of poke damage in the landing phase, and a way to safely farm and shove minions in a losing lane. Next, put 1 point in her 3rd ability, 90 Caliber Net to have a disengage tool but max Caitlyn’s 2nd ability, Yordle Snap Trap next because it provides a lot of utility in teamfights. Of course, put a point in her ultimate whenever possible.

Abilities

Infernal Chains

Every few basic attacks, or against a target she has trapped or netted, Caitlyn will fire a headshot dealing bonus damage that scales with her critical strike chance. On trapped or netted targets, Caitlyn’s Headshot attack range is doubled.

Infernal Chains

Caitlyn revs up her rifle for 1 second to unleash a penetrating shot that deals physical damage (deals less damage to subsequent targets).

Infernal Chains

Caitlyn sets a trap to find sneaky yordles. When sprung, the trap reveals and immobilizes the enemy champion for 1.5 seconds, granting Caitlyn an empowered Headshot.

Infernal Chains

Caitlyn fires a heavy net to slow her target. The recoil knocks Caitlyn back.

Infernal Chains

Caitlyn takes time to line up the perfect shot, dealing massive damage to a single target at a huge range. Enemy champions can intercept the bullet for their ally.

Abilities Analysis

Innate Passive: Headshot

Headshot is an integral part of Caitlyn’s gameplay as it grants bonus damage to Caitlyn’s basic attacks.

It activates through two ways:

  1. Caitlyn’s basic attack counter which has six stacks. If Caitlyn attacks under a brush, each attack gives two stacks.
  2. When enemies are hit by Caitlyn’s 2nd ability, Yordle Snap Trap or her 3rd ability, 90 Caliber Net, they are marked and Headshot attacks against marked targets have its ranged doubled.

When there are marked targets nearby, Caitlyn’s basic attacks will prioritize the marked targets first. If you don’t want to attack marked targets, you have to manually target enemies.

Q | 1st Ability: Piltover Peacemaker

Piltover Peacemaker is Caitlyn’s poke and nuke. It deals substantial damage to the first target then after the first target, its area of effect widens but it deals less damage to subsequent targets.

If you use Flash after casting Piltover Peacemaker, it will still cast in the same direction. Use this to create an illusion of hitting enemies from multiple direction or to create space while damaging enemies.

W | 2nd Ability: Yordle Snap Trap

Yordle Snap Trap differs from other traps in the game because it is visible. Also, it cannot be destroyed and it does not activate on minions and monsters.

It is best to placed on chokepoints and brushes during the laning phase but on teamfights in the middle and late game, randomly place it around the battlefield to make it harder for enemies to move and if they mindlessly move around the fight, they will be rooted and you will gain bonus damage on the rooted targets.

Always place a Yordle Snap Trap behind enemies when your allies use their crowd controls on them. This crowd control chain combo is especially powerful when played together in the early game with aggressive supports like Blitzcrank, Leona, or Alistar.

E | 3rd Ability: 90 Caliber Net

90 Caliber Net is Caitlyn’s self peeling and mobility tool. When cast, Caitlyn shoots a net that slows enemies and at the same time, Caitlyn is thrown backwards due to the recoil of the shot.

It activates headshot when it hits an enemy. It also works on minions and monsters hit by this abilities.

It can be a double-edged sword when used on low HP enemies because if the enemy survives the headshot, you will be farther away from them because of the recoil distance.

If you want to close distance on enemies, reverse the direction where you cast 90 Caliber Net so Caitlyn will recoil into the enemy you are chasing.

R | Ultimate: Ace in the Hole

Ace in the Hole is a targeted ability that deals massive damage on low HP enemies after a short delay.

It has extremely long range and it homes in on enemies once shot but enemies can intercept the bullet by standing in front of your target.

It’s execute damage ranges from 40% HP when you are fed to around 30% against squishies if level and gold are equal and to 10-15% HP on tanks.

Caitlyn Early Game Guide

Caitlyn has a longer range than most ADCs so you have to take advantage of this by harassing them every time they try to last hit minions.

Make the most of Caitlyn’s passive, Headshot by staying under brushes so you will be able to stack it faster and deal bonus damage more often.

Of course, the enemy team will try to get the jump on you if you stay on the brushes. Secure your position using Caitlyn’s 2nd ability, Yordle Snap Trap. 

Caitlyn’s traps may be visible to enemy champions but if you put them under brushes, it will make it harder for them to detect it and they will stay on their toes when trying to attempt a counterattack on you.

Caitlyn has fairly weak disengage so if you are against strong all-in duo combos like Lucian and Tresh or Tristana and Alistar, play on the safer side, especially if your Flash is on cooldown.

Caitlyn Late Game Guide

In the late game, positioning is key to winning with Caitlyn.

As for any classic sniper roles, you have to keep your position a secret until all hell breaks loose on team fights. Otherwise, you will be focused on by the enemy’s assassin or mages and you will fail to contribute to your team as a consequence.

Spam Caitlyn’s 2nd ability, Yordle Snap Trap on the battlefield, right in the middle and on your escape path just to be on the safer side.

Synergies

We highly recommend using Caitlyn Wild Rift with the following champions as they synergize well with her.

Leona plays extremely well together with Caitlyn. She allows her to play extra aggressively in the early game and her stun chain is long enough to for Caitlyn’s trap to activate, extending the already long CC chain. Although, you have to pray that Leona won’t forget about you and peel for you in the late game.

Blitzcrank is another hyper aggressive early game support who can CC chain with Caitlyn. It is harder to chain Caitlyn’s trap with Blitzcrank’s combo though.

Alistar does not only play as aggressively as those two mentioned above but unlike them, Alistar is also an effective peeler and if its summoner knows it, you will have an easy time all game long.

All Caitlyn Wild Rift Counter Champions

In this section, we’ll tackle some of Caitlyn Wild Rift Counters.

Draven deals way more damage than Caitlyn in the early game. If you let Draven have his way in the early game and he gets even just one early game kill, you will surely lose. Play safely and place traps around him to limit his movements.

Miss Fortune is hard to lane against when playing as Caitlyn. She’s impossible to harass because she is always behind her minions and she has a slow as well as a movement speed boost. Aside from that, positioning is a tough thing to do when against her because you will be punished by her Double Tap if you stay behind minions. It’s a game who can kill the enemy team faster against her in the middle to late game.

Skill Matchups

Vayne will win 1v1 against Caitlyn in almost all cases, even in the ones where you have a gold or exp lead. The good thing here is that she is significantly weaker than Caitlyn in the early game. But if you fail to create a huge lead in the early to mid game, you are sure to lose in the late game against her. Like with Draven, place traps around her to limit her movements.

Tristana has more burst damage than Caitlyn but it all boils down to executes their combos better.

Easy Matchups

Xayah has a shorter range than Caitlyn and you can easily avoid her Bladecaller by using Caitlyn’s 3rd ability, 90 Caliber Rifle.

Kai’Sa is another short ranged ADC that you can dominate in the early game. Dealing with her isn’t that hard in the late game, simply don’t get caught alone.

Pros & Cons About Caitlyn

Here are some pros and cons if you are playing with Caitlyn in Wild Rift.

Pros

  • Caitlyn is a pretty safe pick because she is strong early to late game.
  • She deals pretty consistent damage through both her auto attacks and abilities. Plus, she has area control through her traps.
  • Caitlyn plays well even when when behind thanks to the utility her abilities provide.
  • She secures kills from a distance thanks to her ultimate.

Cons

  • Caitlyn has a pretty challenging learning curve due to her traps and headshot mechanics.
  • Because she is an immobile ADC, she requires proper positioning or she will die fast.

FAQ's About Caitlyn in Wild Rift

How good is Caitlyn in Wild Rift?

Caitlyn is a (Tier S) champion. Caitlyn is a safe ADC pick because she is reliable in terms of damage and utility throughout the game.

What role / lane should I play with Caitlyn in Wild Rift?

Caitlyn is played as an ADC in the Dragon lane. Her role in team fights is to deal damage from a distance and root enemies with her traps. She can also easily secure kills with her ultimate, Ace in the Hole.

What abilities do I level up with Caitlyn?

Caitlyn’s 1st ability, Piltover Peacemaker is maxed first because it is Caitlyn’s main source of poke damage in the landing phase, and a way to safely farm and shove minions in a losing lane. Next, put 1 point in her 3rd ability, 90 Caliber Net to have a disengage tool but max Caitlyn’s 2nd ability, Yordle Snap Trap next because it provides a lot of utility in teamfights.

What items should I build with Caitlyn?

Caitlyn’s first core item is either Infinity Edge or Youmuu’s Ghostblade, both of which gives Caitlyn a big early game advantage. Afterwards, make sure to get Rapid Firecannon for the bonus range which is fitting for Caitlyn’s sniper persona.

What Runes should I use when playing as Caitlyn?

Fleet Footwork aids Caitlyn through sustain and movement speed bonus. But if you want more damage, use Conqueror instead. Her other runes are Brutal, Bone Plating, and Sweet Tooth. 

How do I maximize Caitlyn's 2nd ability, Yordle Snap Trap?

Do not spam your traps blindly. Make sure to have over half of your traps at any given time if you are not fully committing to a fight. Three common usage of the traps are: 1. To secure your position by placing traps in front of you. 2. To secure your escape route by placing traps behind you. 3. To punish careless enemies by placing it around the battlefield. 4. As a follow-up CC to your allies to secure a kill.