Before level 5 Kassadin is melee with no range, so Akshan pokes his CS and health with Avengerang (Q) and autos. He crushes Kassadin with an all-in before Riftwalk (R) comes online.

Nasus must walk up to stack Siphoning Strike (Q), but Akshan denies stacks with ranged Avengerang (Q) poke and Heroic Swing (E) kiting, winning every trade.

With no mobility Malphite can't reach Akshan, and with no sustain he's whittled down in lane by Avengerang (Q) and auto-attack poke.

Aurelion Sol has a weak early lane, so Akshan pokes from outside Breath of Light (Q) range and kills him with a Comeuppance (R) all-in before he scales.

Lux out-ranges Akshan's poke with Light Binding (Q) and Lucent Singularity (E), and one root means she melts him with her full-combo burst.

Zoe out-ranges Akshan with Sleepy Trouble Bubble (E) sleep and long-range Paddle Star! (Q), and getting put to sleep quickly leads to death.

Syndra interrupts Akshan's Heroic Swing (E) with Scatter the Weak (E) stun and instantly bursts him, while Dark Sphere (Q) poke gives her the range advantage.

Ziggs gives Akshan no opening to engage with long-range Bouncing Bomb (Q), Satchel Charge (W) zoning, and superior wave clear.

Vex punishes Akshan's Heroic Swing (E) dash with Doom 'n Gloom (P) and Shadow Surge (R), shutting down his mobility engage with fear and ultimate resets.