How to Play Lee Sin: 7 Essential Tips to Master the Blind Monk

Overview

How to play Lee Sin effectively requires mastering his energy-based kit, the Insec kick technique, proper early game pathing, ward hopping, objective control, strategic team fighting, and adapting to the late game despite his damage fall-off. This mechanically demanding yet rewarding champion can dominate the Rift through creative pathing, explosive ganks, and game-changing kicks that create advantages for your team throughout all stages of the game.

Lee Sin, the Blind Monk, has long been considered one of the most mechanically demanding yet rewarding champions in League of Legends. His high skill ceiling and versatile playstyle have made him a staple pick in the jungle across all levels of play, from casual games to professional tournaments. What makes Lee Sin particularly appealing is his ability to influence the game through creative pathing, explosive ganks, and game-changing kicks that can turn the tide of any teamfight.

For jungle mains looking to expand their champion pool or Lee Sin enthusiasts wanting to refine their skills, mastering this champion can significantly improve your climbing potential. In this guide, we’ll break down seven essential tips that will help you unlock the true potential of the Blind Monk and dominate the Rift.

Tip 1: Understanding Lee Sin’s Energy-Based Kit

Unlike mana-dependent champions, Lee Sin utilizes energy as his resource, which starts at 200 and regenerates much faster than mana. This gives him sustainability in extended jungle skirmishes but requires smart management to avoid being energy-starved at crucial moments.

Lee Sin’s passive, Flurry, is the key to efficient energy management. After using an ability, Lee Sin gains 40% attack speed for his next two attacks, which also restore 15 energy each. To maximize your efficiency, always weave in these auto attacks between abilities during combos and jungle clears.

A common mistake newer Lee Sin players make is spamming abilities without utilizing their passive, leading to energy depletion and reduced damage output. Practice the rhythm of “ability-auto-auto-ability” to maintain your energy pool while maximizing DPS during extended fights.

Tip 2: Master the Insec Kick Technique

The “Insec” kick, named after the legendary Korean jungler who popularized it, is Lee Sin’s signature move. This technique involves positioning behind an enemy champion and kicking them into your team, creating instant 5v4 advantages and often securing kills on priority targets.

To execute the basic Insec:

• Land your Sonic Wave (Q) on a target
• Place a ward behind them
• Use Safeguard (W) to dash to the ward
• Immediately cast Dragon’s Rage (R) to kick them in the opposite direction

This maneuver requires precise timing and mouse movement. Begin practicing in the Practice Tool without enemy champions, then graduate to custom games with friends. With enough repetition, the muscle memory will develop, allowing you to perform this technique fluidly in actual games.

The Insec kick is particularly effective against immobile carries or when your team can follow up with additional crowd control. Remember that Flash can replace the ward hop for faster execution in high-stakes situations.

Tip 3: Early Game Pathing and Ganking

Lee Sin excels in the early game, where his mobility and dueling potential can create significant advantages. Start with a Red Buff into Krugs path when planning to gank bot lane early, or Red into Blue and Gromp for a level 3 top gank.

When invading the enemy jungle, prioritize catching the opposing jungler at their second buff. Lee Sin’s strong early dueling makes him a threat to most junglers, especially if you can land your Sonic Wave/Resonating Strike (Q) combo for execution damage.

For effective ganks, approach from unexpected angles and save your Q for after the enemy uses their escape abilities. A potent combo is to walk up to the enemy, apply Red Buff with auto attacks, then use E to slow them before finally landing Q for the execute damage. If they flash, you can follow with your Q2 or save it if they’re already in lethal range for your laner.

If you’re looking to diversify your jungling skills, learning Kha’Zix as well can give you another strong early-game assassin option with a different playstyle.

Tip 4: Ward Hopping for Mobility and Outplays

Ward hopping is a fundamental Lee Sin technique that involves placing a ward and immediately using Safeguard (W) to dash to it. This mechanic provides unparalleled mobility for both offensive and defensive plays.

To perform a ward hop efficiently:

• Hold a ward in your inventory (control wards or trinket wards work)
• Press the ward button and place it within W range
• Immediately cast W on the ward

Quick ward hops can help you escape over walls, close distances for ganks, or reposition during teamfights. To improve your ward hopping speed, dedicate 5-10 minutes before each gaming session to practice this technique in the Practice Tool.

Pro tip: Bind your wards to easy-to-reach keys that allow you to perform the ward hop motion comfortably and quickly. Many professional players use side mouse buttons or keys close to their abilities for this purpose.

For those who enjoy high-mobility junglers, Hecarim provides similar map presence with a more straightforward mechanical execution.

Tip 5: Mid-Game Transition and Objective Control

As the game transitions to mid-game, Lee Sin’s role shifts toward objective control and creating picks. Your mobility makes you exceptional at securing vision control around Dragon and Herald, setting up your team for objective takes.

When contesting objectives, look for flanking opportunities where you can kick priority targets into your team. Alternatively, you can use your kick to displace the enemy jungler from the pit, preventing them from attempting a steal.

To maintain relevance as the game progresses, focus on building items that enhance your utility such as Black Cleaver for armor shred or Dead Man’s Plate for additional mobility and tankiness. Remember that your goal is to create advantages for your team rather than being the primary damage dealer.

For junglers interested in objective control, J4’s flag-and-drag combo offers similar gank potential with more team-oriented utility in the mid-game.

Tip 6: Team Fighting as Lee Sin

Team fighting as Lee Sin requires careful positioning and target assessment. Your primary role in team fights will depend on your team composition and the game state.

If your team lacks engage, look to make flanking plays with Insec kicks on priority targets. If your team has sufficient engage, focus on peeling for your carries by using your E to slow enemy divers and R to kick threats away.

Target selection is crucial – identify whether the enemy team’s greatest threat is their fed carry or their engage-heavy frontline. Adjust your approach accordingly, either by diving the backline or creating space for your carries.

Remember that patience is often rewarded in team fights. Waiting for the right moment to use your ultimate can be more impactful than rushing in at the start of a fight.

Those who prefer a more forgiving jungle playstyle might find Graves’ team fighting potential easier to execute while still providing significant damage.

Tip 7: Late Game Strategy and Scaling

Lee Sin’s damage falls off in the late game, but his utility remains valuable. Adapt your build to include more defensive items like Guardian Angel, Spirit Visage, or Randuin’s Omen based on the enemy team’s composition.

Focus on vision control in the late game, clearing and establishing wards around Baron and Elder Dragon. Your mobility allows you to check dangerous areas more safely than most champions.

When it comes to late-game decision making, look for opportunities to create picks with your kick rather than engaging in full 5v5 team fights. A well-executed kick on an enemy carry before an objective can create the numbers advantage needed to secure the win.

If you’re looking for a jungler with better late-game scaling, consider adding Kindred to your champion pool for those extended games.

Conclusion

Mastering Lee Sin is a journey that requires dedication and practice, but the rewards are substantial. His ability to influence all stages of the game through creative pathing, explosive ganks, and game-changing kicks makes him one of the most impactful junglers in League of Legends.

By understanding energy management, mastering the Insec kick, optimizing your early game, perfecting ward hops, controlling mid-game objectives, positioning wisely in team fights, and adapting your late-game strategy, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a feared Lee Sin player on the Rift.

Remember that even the best Lee Sin players make mistakes. What separates good from great players is the ability to learn from these mistakes and continuously improve their mechanics and decision-making. With patience and practice, you’ll be making highlight-worthy plays and carrying games in no time!

For those interested in expanding their champion pool with another mechanically rewarding jungler, Elise offers similar early-game dominance with a different approach to ganking and skirmishing.

At League Coach Merch, we’re passionate about helping players master champions like Lee Sin. Whether you’re looking to refine your mechanics or show off your main with some sweet merch, we’ve got you covered. Keep practicing those Insec kicks, and we’ll see you on the Rift!

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