Pierce is Kalista's primary damage ability. She launches a spear that deals physical damage to the first enemy hit. If Pierce kills its target, it continues traveling and transfers all Rend stacks to the next target hit. This can chain infinitely until reaching maximum range.

Kalista's W (Sentinel) provides vision control through a mobile ward and empowers attacks with her Oathsworn ally. At game start, Kalista can use her Black Spear to bind with one ally, typically her support. When both hit the same target within 4 seconds, they deal bonus magic damage equal to 14% of the target's max health at level 1.

Rend (E) is Kalista's signature ability. Her basic attacks and Pierce lodge spears in enemies for 4 seconds, refreshing with each spear. Activating Rend rips out all nearby spears to deal physical damage and slow targets. Additional spears deal reduced damage, and epic monsters take 50% damage. Killing a target with Rend resets its cooldown and refunds mana.

For optimal trades, Kalista should:

• Stack spears on a minion low enough to die to Rend
• Attack the enemy champion at least once
• Activate Rend to secure the minion kill and damage/slow the champion
• Allow support to trigger W's bonus damage
• Choose to either disengage or all-in depending on situation

Kalista's ultimate (Fate's Call) pulls her Oathsworn ally to her location and makes them untargetable for up to 4 seconds. The ally can then dash to knock up enemies at their chosen location. This provides both engage potential and a way to save allies.

For skill order:

• Start E (Rend)
• Take Q at level 2 in most cases
• Get W at level 3 (delay to 4 if support is roaming)
• Max E > Q > W
• Take R at 6/11/16

Build path focuses on attack speed and on-hit effects rather than crit chance, as Kalista is an on-hit focused champion.

Kalista excels at early game lane dominance through her mobility and ability to stack spears. However, she is vulnerable to slows, making Cleanse an important summoner spell to counter effects like Exhaust and crowd control.

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