Rakan vs Pyke Support Matchup

Rakan Support wins 53.0% of 1,701 Low Elo games against Pyke Support, +0.5 points vs expected, 2-patch window 26.19-26.20.

Researched on LoL patch 26.20. Tips are written to hold at any rank; stats come from Low Elo ranked games up to patch 26.20.

Why Rakan is favored

Rakan can use his two Battle Dance(E) dashes to disengage after Pyke hooks, then counter-engage once Pyke spends Phantom Undertow(E). If the lane stays even, Rakan's teamfight engage gives him more value than Pyke's pick-focused kit.

Measured in High Elo: Rakan wins 1.5pp more often than expected over 1,464 games.

How to play as Rakan

If Pyke hooks you, wait for his Phantom Undertow(E) before spending your own W or E; then use Battle Dance(E) to return to your ally or counter-engage on his carry.

Battle Dance(E) gives Rakan two dashes to reach an ally, letting him escape or reposition after Pyke's Bone Skewer(Q); Pyke's Phantom Undertow(E) is a separate return-path stun that Rakan can wait out before re-engaging.

A high-ranked Rakan main describes Pyke as manageable in lane but easier to negate and outperform in teamfights, especially when Rakan saves his mobility and crowd control.

How to play as Pyke

Do not spend Phantom Undertow(E) into Rakan while both of his dashes are ready. Force him to use Battle Dance(E), then look for a catch, or roam to another lane rather than letting an even lane become a teamfight advantage for him.

Sources

These notes come from r/RakanMains.