Updated on November 6, 12:30 p.m. (GMT+8): Adjusted battle spell, emblem, and best build based on MLBB patch 1.9.20
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang hero Yi Sun-shin is a testament that through adversity, true legends are born.
Only a few can match the hero’s versatility in the Land of Dawn. Wielding his mighty glaive and bow, the Paenlong Legend can unleash devastating damage at close range or from a long distance.
Classified as both an assassin and a marksman, his skill kit is all about mobility and damage.
Most notably, he has a global ability that allows him to deal damage and reveal enemy positions on the map.
So mastering Yi Sun-shin requires more than just an understanding of his abilities.
In this ONE Esports guide, we dive into the details of how to play the versatile hero, including strategies, itemization, as well as tips to help you get started.
Yi Sun-shin’s skills in Mobile Legends
Passive – Heavenly Vow
Yi Sun-shin attacks with his longbow or glaive according to his distance from the target.
Weapon Mastery: After each weapon swap, the next two attacks will be enhanced. The first attack deals bonus Crit Damage and the second attack deals Crit Damage. Each enhanced attack grants Movement Speed bonus for a second and reduces the cooldown of Traceless by 1 second.
After a while or when Yi Sun-shin respawns, a Turtle Ship will spawn at the allied Base. Yi Sun-shin can board the Turtle Ship, gaining Movement Speed (decays after a duration) and enhancing Traceless.
- Yi Sun-shin’s passive makes him versatile.
- Switch between melee and ranged attacks based on the situation.
- Use the boosted attack after switching to deal significant damage to enemies.
First skill – Traceless
Yi Sun-shin dashes forward and slashes with his glaive, dealing Physical Damage and becoming immune to crowd control effects for a duration.
- This dash skill is perfect for repositioning in fights or escaping tight situations.
- You can also use this ability to pass through walls, offering creative ways to engage or disengage.
Second skill – Blood Floods
Tap: Yi Sun-shin slashes swiftly with his glaive, dealing Physical Damage.
Hold: Yi Sun-shin shoots a powerful arrow, dealing Physical Damage. The arrow’s damage scales with the hold time. This damage decays with the number of enemies hit but can’t go below a threshold.
His Movement Speed is reduced by a percentage while holding the skill. Yi Sun-shin gains Weapon Mastery immediately when this skill is used.
- You can deal damage using this skill either in melee or ranged combat.
- Use this skill to clear minion waves and poke enemies from a distance.
- Timing and positioning are key to maximizing the damage output of this skill. Manually cast it in the area of your target.
Ultimate – Mountain Shocker
Passive: Increases the damage of Heavenly Vow’s Heavenly Vow’s first and second enhanced Basic Attacks.
Active: Yi Sun-shin commands the naval fleet to launch waves of cannon shots on locations of all enemy heroes, revealing their positions and dealing Physical Damage to enemies in the area with each wave.
When a target is hit multiple times by the same wave, a maximum of percentage of damage will be dealt.
- Use it to soften targets before a team fight or to finish off fleeing enemies.
- It’s also great for providing vision across the map, helping your team make decisions on whether to initiate or back off.
A comprehensive guide on how to play Yi Sun-shin in Mobile Legends
Recommended battle spell
Yi Sun-shin shines in the jungler role because of his damage and his ability to go in and out of fights. This is why Retribution is the best battle spell for him.
It allows you to secure jungle monsters more quickly and safely, and to contest for objectives like the Turtle and Lord.
More than the objectives, the Ice Retribution blessing allows you to steal enemy heroes’ Movement Speed. This makes it easier for you to chase for kills or slow down enemies
Recommended emblem
Swift, Seasoned Hunter, and Quantum Charge are the best talents for Yi Sun-shin, each enhancing his abilities in unique ways that synergize with his playstyle.
Swift gives you more Attack Speed. As your damage output heavily relies on Basic Attacks, this helps you clear camps faster and join early-game engagements.
As you play the jungler role, the Seasoned Hunter talent is invaluable. It allows you to clear jungle camps more quickly and contest for objectives like the Turtle and Lord.
Quantum Charge provides you with a burst of health and movement speed after dealing damage using Basic Attacks. This talent helps you keep your health up in prolonged fights.
The immediate health regeneration can be the difference between life and death, allowing you to stay longer in battles and push for objectives.
Yi Sun-shin best build
After boots, prioritize getting War Axe. This is a must-have for Yi Sun-shin because it enhances your Physical Attack and defense simultaneously. As you deal damage, you gain stacks that increase your Physical Attack and Penetration.
Build on your damage by getting Endless Battle. The equipment provides additional Physical Attack, Lifesteal, and Cooldown Reduction, among other stats. The True Damage activation on Basic Attacks after using a skill makes your poking and burst capabilities even more lethal.
As you progress to the later stages of the game, get Blade of Despair and Malefic Roar to increase your kill potential. The added Physical Attack and Physical Penetration allows you to kite even the most durable tanks.
For your final item, take either Immortality or Winter Truncheon. Both items offer survivability, but chose which item to build based on the nature of heroes on the opponents side.
When you’re up against heavy Basic Attack and Physical Attack-reliant heroes, choose Wind of Nature. Otherwise, choose Winter Truncheon.
The best build for Yi Sun-shin in Mobile Legends
- Tough Boots (Ice Retribution)
- War Axe
- Endless Battle
- Blade of Despair
- Malefic Roar
- Winter Crown or Immortality
Tips and easy combos to learn
Yi Sun-shin thrives on versatility and strategic positioning. His ability to switch between ranged and melee combat makes him unpredictable and allows for flexible gameplay.
To maximize his potential, always be aware of your surroundings. Your effectiveness greatly depends on how well you can position yourself to utilize his skills.
Master weapon switching in Practice Mode. Knowing when to use his longbow for ranged attacks or switch to his glaive for melee combat can significantly impact your performance.
The enhanced attack from switching weapons is perfect for bursting down key targets. Use it wisely to take out enemy marksmen or mages early in skirmishes.
Use Mountain Shocker to initiate team fights to soften up enemies before your team dives in. It’s also a powerful tool for providing critical vision during objective contests like the Lord or Turtle.
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