Kalista is a high-mobility marksman who excels at early game dominance and building lane pressure. Her unique passive, Martial Poise, allows her to jump after each basic attack, making her one of the most mobile AD carries.

Core Mechanics:

Passive - Martial Poise

• Allows Kalista to dash after each basic attack
• Movement speed slows significantly impact effectiveness
• Essential for kiting and chase potential

Q - Pierce

• Throws a piercing spear that damages first target hit
• Can transfer Rend stacks if it kills the target
• Useful for last hitting and harassing through minions

W - Sentinel

• Active: Sends a scouting ghost that reveals champions
• Passive: Links with Oathsworn ally for bonus damage
• Deals 14% max health as magic damage at level 1 when both allies attack same target

E - Rend

• Rips out spears from enemies for physical damage
• Stacks indefinitely on targets
• Resets cooldown and refunds mana if it kills a unit
• Key for securing objectives and trading in lane

R - Fate's Call

• Pulls Oathsworn ally to Kalista
• Ally can launch themselves as knockup engage
• Can save allies from danger
• Excellent for coordinated plays

Optimal Skill Order:

1. Start E (Rend)
2. Q second (usually)
3. W third
4. Max E > Q > W
5. Take R at 6/11/16

Core Strategy:

• Dominate early lane through Rend stacks and Sentinel procs
• Coordinate with support for Soul-Mark damage
• Use mobility to kite and chase effectively
• Secure objectives with Rend execute
• Save support with ultimate when needed

Build Focus:

• Prioritize attack speed
• On-hit effects are crucial
• Avoid crit-focused items
• Movement speed items help offset slows

Best Supports:

• Thresh (primary choice)
• Engage supports with CC
• Ranged supports for Soul-Mark procs

Trade Patterns:

1. Stack Rend on minions
2. Apply stacks to enemy champion
3. Trigger Soul-Mark with support
4. Rend for burst damage and slow
5. Either disengage or all-in based on situation

Counter Play:

• Very vulnerable to slows
• Requires coordination with support
• Weak against heavy CC
• Needs time to stack damage

Using these mechanics effectively makes Kalista one of the most dominant early game ADCs, capable of building substantial leads and transitioning into a powerful teamfight carry.

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