The recent revamp of Yi Sun-shin has brought him back to the spotlight, making him one of the most feared marksmen in ranked matches. With a completely reworked Ultimate, smoother weapon switching mechanics, and enhanced mobility, YSS now dominates the battlefield both in 1v1 situations and large-scale team fights.
In fact, Yi Sun-shin has become one of the most banned heroes in Mythic rank and above. Players are quickly realizing just how powerful his new kit is, especially when played by those who can master his unique weapon-switching playstyle. In this guide, we’ll break down his new skills, updated mechanics, and ideal combos to help you climb the ranks using the new and improved YSS.
Updated Passive: Heavenly Vow
Yi Sun-shin still uses both ranged (longbow) and melee (glaive) attacks based on his distance to the target. However, his Weapon Master mechanic has been significantly improved. After every weapon switch, his next two basic attacks gain bonus attack speed, deal 70% and 55% Crit Damage, and provide 15% movement speed for 1 second.
This change allows for fluid kiting and better trading in duels. The movement speed buff also helps reposition quickly during weapon switches, which is crucial in extended fights. It’s a huge boost to both his survivability and damage output.
Skill 1 – Traceless
YSS dashes forward and slashes with his glaive, dealing physical damage and becoming immune to crowd control for 1 second. On top of that, every Weapon Master trigger reduces its cooldown by 1 second, allowing him to spam this skill more often when switching weapons correctly.
Not only does this give him excellent gap-closing potential, but it also acts as a defensive tool to avoid hard CC during critical moments. Using this skill wisely lets YSS reposition or escape from danger while setting up his glaive attacks.
Skill 2 – Blood Floods
This skill now has two modes depending on how it’s used.
- Tap: Slashes with the glaive for fast burst damage.
- Hold: Fires a charged arrow that scales up to 200% damage, depending on the charge time.
The best part? Either version instantly triggers the Weapon Master passive. This opens up many combo possibilities and gives YSS reliable ways to dish out burst damage or poke from a distance. The flexibility of this skill makes it useful in every phase of the game.
Ultimate – Mountain Shocker (Reworked)
The biggest change in YSS’s kit is his reworked Ultimate. Now, instead of riding the turtle ship from base, he summons it from anywhere on the map. Once summoned, he gains global vision for 5 seconds and a massive 70% movement speed buff (decays over time).
When the Ultimate is cast again:
- The turtle ship rams into a target area, dealing damage and stunning enemies in the center.
- A naval fleet follows up with 3 waves of cannon fire, each dealing AoE damage and slowing enemies.
Plus, using the Ultimate also activates Weapon Master, giving him an immediate damage boost. This Ultimate now combines map awareness, mobility, AoE burst, CC, and teamfight initiation—all in one. It’s no wonder he’s META again.
Burst Combo Guide
YSS shines when executed with proper combos. Here’s a sample burst combo:
Ultimate → Turtle Ship Ram → Basic Attack (Bow) x2 → Skill 1 (Dash In) → Basic Attack (Glaive) x2 → Tap Skill 2 → Basic Attack (Glaive) x2
In shorthand: 3 → 3 → B → B → 1 → B → B → 2 → B → B
This combo stuns and slows your target, provides multiple weapon switches to maximize Weapon Master, and outputs high burst damage while also keeping YSS mobile and hard to catch.
Teamfight Strategy
In larger fights, don’t rush to launch the ship. Instead, summon it early to gain global vision and a strong movement speed buff. Use that mobility to poke enemies from range with your bow. Once the enemies are grouped or the right target is found, ram the ship into the backline, then follow up with your full combo.
Holding the ship before launching gives you flexibility. It lets you reposition, scout safely, or chase without fully committing too early.
Why YSS Is META Again
Thanks to his revamp, Yi Sun-shin has everything a top-tier marksman needs:
- High burst potential
- Flexible range and melee combat
- Map-wide utility
- Strong teamfight presence
- Great mobility and outplay potential
His ban rate in Mythic and above shows how much of a threat he is. Whether you’re a marksman main or someone looking to climb with a strong hero, YSS should be on your radar right now.
Master the Blade and Bow
Yi Sun-shin’s revamped skill set offers both depth and versatility. While he’s harder to master than typical marksmen, his damage ceiling and outplay potential are massive when played right. With better weapon-switching mechanics, an Ultimate that does everything, and tools to escape or engage, YSS is once again one of the most complete heroes in the game.
Master his combos, get used to the timing of his weapon switches, and you’ll quickly see why players fear him in ranked.
FAQs
Q: Is Yi Sun-shin good for beginners now?
A: While he’s stronger, YSS still requires good mechanics and awareness. He’s better for intermediate to advanced players.
Q: When should I use bow vs glaive?
A: Use bow to poke from range and glaive when close for burst. Alternate to trigger Weapon Master for bonus effects.
Q: What’s the best emblem for YSS now?
A: Assassin or Marksman emblems work best—prioritize movement speed and physical penetration.
Q: Should I always launch the turtle ship immediately?
A: Not always. Hold it to keep the movement speed and scout or kite until the right moment to strike.
Q: What item build works well with revamped YSS?
A: Core items include War Axe, Blade of the Heptaseas, Malefic Roar, and Hunter Strike for sustained burst and mobility.
