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Understanding the Importance of Quicksilver Sash in League of Legends
If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of being trapped by a Malzahar ult, then you already know how crucial Quicksilver Sash (QSS) can be. For those unfamiliar, QSS is an item in League that can remove most crowd control (CC) effects. It is particularly popular among ADCs like Vayne or Samira who need to be in the thick of the action to deal damage. These champions are often vulnerable to stuns, slows, and other forms of CC. The same applies to AD assassins like Zed or Talon. It’s important to note that QSS can only be built into items like Silvermere Dawn or Mercurial Scimitar, which are not as effective for mages or AP users. Now that we’ve covered the basics of QSS, let’s dive into some specifics.
How Does QSS Work in League of Legends?
QSS has a few unique properties that are important to understand. First, it has no cast time and automatically activates as soon as you press the button. You don’t need to select yourself or press any other buttons. Simply press the QSS button when hit with CC. Second, QSS only removes the CC component of an ability. Certain abilities, such as Warwick’s ult, may have additional effects like on-hit effects or debuffs. QSS will remove the CC but not these other effects. Lastly, it’s important to note that QSS is not the same as the summoner spell Cleanse. While Cleanse can remove Summoner Spell debuffs, QSS cannot. However, QSS can remove suppressions like Warwick’s ult, which Cleanse cannot.
Which Abilities Can You Remove With QSS?
Quicksilver Sash can be used to remove a wide range of crowd control effects. This includes slows, stuns, snares, and suppressions. Some abilities, like Lissandra’s ult, Lulu’s Polymorph, or Teemo’s Blind, may not have an intuitive interaction with QSS. Here’s a list of some notable abilities that can be countered with QSS:
- Malzahar’s ult: Useful against a fed Malzahar who can quickly eliminate short-ranged ADCs or AD assassins.
- Warwick’s ult: Removes the suppression, but you will still take damage from the on-hit portion of his ult.
- Lissandra’s ult: Can be QSS’d like any other stun, despite its unique visual effects.
- Yasuo’s ult: QSS removes the extended knock-up, but you will still take damage from the ult.
- Urgot’s ult: Can be QSS’d while being dragged to Urgot, allowing for a potential escape.
- Mordekaiser’s ult: QSS can be used to escape the shadow realm and return to your team.
- Skarner’s ult: Removes the stun and drag, rendering Skarner’s ult useless.
- Nasus’ Wither: QSS removes the slow and Attack Speed debuff, making it vital against a Nasus.
- Hooks (Thresh, Blitz): QSS can be used to escape both Thresh and Blitz hooks, but timing is crucial.
- Irelia’s stun: QSS removes the stun but not the mark it places on you.
- Teemo’s Blind: Can be countered by QSS, allowing you to continue attacking Teemo.
- Graves’ Smokescreen: QSS removes both the slow and the vision impairment caused by Smokescreen.
- Lulu’s Polymorph: QSS can be used to remove the Polymorph effect, allowing for uninterrupted actions.
- Nocturne’s ult: QSS removes the near-sight debuff but not Nocturne’s ult itself.
- Exhaust: QSS can remove the slow caused by Exhaust but not its damage reduction.
Which Abilities Can’t Be Countered With QSS?
There are certain abilities in League of Legends that cannot be countered with QSS. These include:
- Knock-ups: QSS is deactivated during knock-ups, so abilities like Cho’gath’s Q or Poppy’s R cannot be escaped with QSS.
- Zed’s ult: QSS cannot remove Zed’s ult or similar non-CC abilities like Vlad’s ult.
- Fiora’s ult: QSS cannot counter Fiora’s ult, but it can remove the stun from her W.
- Bard’s ult: QSS cannot remove Bard’s ult, as it functions as stasis rather than a stun.
- Fizz’s ult: QSS removes the slow but not the actual damage from Fizz’s ult.
- Camille’s ult: There is no way to QSS Camille’s ult once you’re caged.
- Vi’s ult: QSS cannot be used to counter any part of Vi’s ult, but it can remove the stun from her Q ability.
When Should You Build QSS?
Deciding whether to build Quicksilver Sash or Guardian Angel depends on the situation. If you’re consistently dying due to a specific ability, such as Malzahar’s ult or Nasus’ Wither, QSS is likely the better choice. It’s cheaper than Guardian Angel and allows you to keep fighting without a respawn delay. However, if you’re facing multiple threats or a champion capable of killing you instantly even if you use QSS, Guardian Angel may be the more suitable option. Consider whether resurrecting with Guardian Angel would make a significant difference in team fights or if it would just lead to another death. It’s important to assess the specific circ*mstances and choose the item that best suits your needs.
Building QSS takes practice and getting used to its activation. Remember to use it strategically and make the most of its effects. Ultimately, incorporating QSS into your gameplay will elevate your skills as an ADC or AD assassin.
