AKALI PLay

Masteries either 12/18/0 (more damage/snowbally) or 0/18/12 (more sustain/lower summoner CD), but always with thunderlords. Hybrid penetration reds got a nerf with lethality but I think they're still good enough. Otherwise magic penetration is best since it's harder to come by than AD, but AD reds are good early and help with CS too. Armor yellows always and AP blues (MR blues against mages, specially midlane). AP quints.

Starting long sword + 3 potions help CSing and it's good sustain, so it's good in difficult matchups. Plus it gives a boost towards gunblade. Darkseal snowballs hard and the passive increases the sustain from potions, so it's good too. Doran's shield used to be popular toplane but not so much anymore. It's good sustain but it limits the starting potions so I don't like it much, it's harder to push advantages early when you're outpotted. Boots are good vs heavy skillshot/poke matchups (Ahri, Xerath), cloth armor is good vs AD assassins.

After completing gunblade you can go for Zhonya's (preferably, the active is definitely core on her) or Abyssal depending on the matchup, but it's nice to get at least sheen before them if you can. Completing boots second is usually a bad idea but it's ok on Akali (specially sorcs for the early magic penetration) as it helps you roam and chase). Rule of thumb is that pure AP items should be avoided unless you're really confident and ahead, you really need at least off-tank stats now since because the way your new passive works.

Her main core is or ) .

synergizes really well on her specially as a toplane fighter, as a burst midlane assassin.