League of Legends
World of Warcraft
Clash Royale
What Is Kiting in League of Legends?
Dealing damage while moving away from an enemy, so they can never reach you, like a kite on a string.
What does kiting mean?
Kiting means attacking an enemy while staying out of their reach, moving between attacks so they chase you without ever catching up. The name comes from flying a kite: the target follows at the end of an invisible string. In League of Legends it is the core skill of ranged carries.
How kiting works in League of Legends
Every basic attack has a windup and a short recovery. Skilled players cancel the recovery by issuing a move command as soon as the attack lands, then attack again when it is ready. This rhythm is called orbwalking or stutter stepping, and it lets an ADC deal full damage while keeping distance from a melee champion.
- Attack-move click: binding attack-move to a key and clicking near your character makes the game target the closest enemy automatically, which makes kiting far more reliable.
- Kiting backwards: moving away from a diver while hitting them, the classic way to survive.
- Kiting forward: stepping toward a fleeing enemy between attacks to stay in range.
- Attack speed matters: the faster you attack, the less time you have to move, so kiting gets harder and more important as items stack.
Example
A Jinx is chased by a Darius. She attacks, steps back, attacks again and keeps the distance, using slows from her abilities. Darius never gets in range to pull her, and the fight is won without taking a hit.
Kiting in other games
| Game | What kiting means there |
|---|---|
| World of Warcraft | Moving a mob or boss around while damaging it, or keeping melee enemies away in PvP with slows and roots; it depends on aggro |
| Clash Royale | Pulling an enemy troop toward the middle or the opposite lane with a cheap unit or a building, so towers can kill it |
| Shooters and battle royales | Retreating while shooting so a pushing enemy fights you at a bad angle |
When kiting is strongest
Kiting becomes decisive once a carry hits a power spike such as their second item, when every extra attack in a fight matters. Practicing in practice tool or against bots is the usual way to build the rhythm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is kiting only for ADCs?
No. Any champion with ranged attacks or slows can kite, and mages, top laners like Kennen and even some junglers rely on it.
What is the difference between kiting and orbwalking?
Orbwalking is the technique of weaving movement between attacks. Kiting is the goal: staying out of the enemy’s reach while you deal damage.