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Winning lane isn't about hitting the enemy whenever you can — it's about hitting them when the trade is in your favour, and committing fully only when the math says you win.
A 'trade' is any exchange of damage in lane. The beginner mistake is auto-attacking the enemy whenever they're in range — even when they hit back harder. Good trades are the ones you come out of ahead in health, not just the ones you're able to start.
Before you throw a punch, ask what it costs: did you take more than you dealt? Did you push the wave you wanted to freeze? A trade that wins 30 health but shoves your wave under their tower can lose you the whole lane.
Key takeaways
The best time to trade is right after the enemy uses a key ability — their poke or escape is on cooldown, so for a few seconds you win any exchange for free. The same goes for levels: hitting a spike before they do (level 2, 3, or 6) is a window where you're simply stronger.
Level 2 is the classic example: whoever reaches it first (usually after the first three minions die) can win a big trade or even a kill if the enemy isn't ready for it.
Key takeaways
An all-in is committing everything for a kill. Before you go, run a quick checklist: are their summoner spells (especially Flash) up? Where is the enemy jungler? Is the wave pushing toward you (so minions help) or toward them? Is their HP low enough that your full combo actually kills?
If any answer is bad — Flash up, jungler missing, wave shoving you under their tower — the all-in is a coinflip at best. The discipline to not commit is as valuable as the kill itself.
Key takeaways
