Before level 5, Evelynn lacks Demon Shade (P)'s camouflage and is weak in early fights. Base Kayn's Blade's Reach (W) slows rather than knocks up, but Shadow Step (E) changes his approach angle and helps him avoid Hate Spike (Q) to control the early skirmish.

If Kayn dodges Bandage Toss (Q) over a wall with Shadow Step (E), Amumu has no engage and the duel never even starts.

Kayn uses Shadow Step (E) to dodge Terrify (Q) and the Crowstorm (R) engage over terrain, then dives the melee-weak Fiddlesticks to kill him.

Before his transformation, Kayn has weak early HP and damage, so Nunu sticks to him with the Biggest Snowball Ever! (W) to force invades and skirmishes and pile up his losses.

Lee Sin has the strongest level 2-3 invade tempo. Before Kayn's transformation spike, he crushes the duel with the Sonic Wave (Q)-auto-Resonating Strike (Q) combo.

Xin Zhao's Three Talon Strike (Q) third-hit knock-up and Determination (P) healing give him the stronger early extended fight against base Kayn. Wind Becomes Lightning (W) slows rather than knocks up, setting up Audacious Charge (E)'s follow-up.

Ragnarok (R)'s crowd-control immunity ignores Blade's Reach (W)'s knock-up after Kayn transforms into Rhaast. Undertow (Q)'s slow and Reckless Swing (E)'s true damage pressure Kayn before his healing takes over.

Graves' point-blank two-shell burst from End of the Line (Q) deletes pre-transformation Kayn in a short trade.