Yamato
Delivers charged attacks with finesse.
- Win rate
- 47.4%
- Pick rate
- 27%
- KDA
- 2.46
- Matches
- 1.39M
Updated · Patch Nov 4, 2026
Yamato abilities
Power Slash
Channel to increase damage over 1.4 seconds, then release a fully-charged sword strike. Press Ability 1 or to trigger the strike early, dealing partial damage.
Flying Slash
Throw a grappling hook to reel yourself towards an enemy, dealingmelee damage and slowing the target when you arrive.
Crimson Slash
Slash enemies in front of you, damaging them and slowing their fire rate. If any enemy heroes are hit, you heal.
Shadow Transformation
Become infused with Yamato's shadow soul. After an initial invincible transformation your abilities are refreshed and are 60% faster. You gain immunity to negative status effects and have greatly increased bullet and spirit resist. When you get a hero kill, you heal and the duration is extended.
Yamato skill order
Max Flying Slash first, then follow the grid point by point.
Most played
58.9% win rate · 70,346 matches
| Ability | Point 1 | Point 2 | Point 3 | Point 4 | Point 5 | Point 6 | Point 7 | Point 8 | Point 9 | Point 10 | Point 11 | Point 12 | Point 13 | Point 14 | Point 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 4 | 14 | 15 | ||||||||||||
 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | |||||||||||
 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |||||||||||
 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
Highest win rate
59.1% win rate · 8,495 matches
| Ability | Point 1 | Point 2 | Point 3 | Point 4 | Point 5 | Point 6 | Point 7 | Point 8 | Point 9 | Point 10 | Point 11 | Point 12 | Point 13 | Point 14 | Point 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 14 | 15 | ||||||||||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | |||||||||||
| 1 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |||||||||||
| 6 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
How to play Yamato
Yamato uses precise strikes to decimate her rivals. However, such damaging attacks often will leave her exposed, so she needs to make every shot count.
Winning Yamato players open with Spirit Strike and Melee Lifesteal, spike in the mid game with Spirit Snatch and Improved Spirit and close it out with Boundless Spirit or Superior Cooldown.
Yamato game plan
A blade who commits fully — and refreshes everything when she does.
How to beat Yamato
- Wait out Shadow Transformation; she’s invincible at first.
- Dodge Power Slash’s charge.
- Burst her after the all-in.
Respect Shadow Transformation. Punish after Flying Slash.
Strong & weak against
Yamato questions
Who counters Yamato?
In recent matches Yamato wins least often against Graves (39.2%), Paige (40.6%), Seven (42.2%). See the Matchups tab for the full list.
What should Yamato build first?
The most-bought early items are Spirit Strike, Melee Lifesteal, Restorative Shot. Mid game, players move into Spirit Snatch and Improved Spirit.
Is Yamato good for beginners?
Not really. Yamato is rated Hard, so learn the basics on a simpler hero first.
What role does Yamato play?
Yamato's official class is Assassin, and in fights they play carry / pick: a hero who delivers charged attacks with finesse. Yamato uses precise strikes to decimate her rivals. However, such damaging attacks often will leave her exposed, so she needs to make every shot count.