Ryze vs Mel Counter Pick

Two mages at 550 attack range, no reach advantage for either, and the result still tilts: 54.1% for Ryze over 370 games on patch 16.13.1.

Rebuttal shapes every exchange. It forms a barrier that reflects enemy projectiles back at the attacker, prevents Mel from taking damage, and grants her movement speed, so an Overload thrown into it returns rather than lands. Spell Flux is an orb and receives the same treatment. The practical answer is baiting the barrier with the ability Ryze most wants to cast anyway, since Overload’s cooldown resets whenever his other basic abilities are used.

Durability over time is where Ryze wins outright. He grows from 620 to 2,728 health while Mel goes from 630 to 2,313, a gap of over 400 by level 18, and he moves at 340 against her 330. Her 21 base armour is the softer figure, though both deal magic damage, so armour is not the resistance either one buys. Searing Brilliance grants up to nine bonus projectiles on her next attack after an ability, and Golden Eclipse strikes Overwhelm-marked enemies regardless of distance, punishing a walk home at low health. Radiant Volley explodes repeatedly around a chosen location, so standing still to trade is the losing option for both sides. Difficulty sits at 5 for Mel against 7 for Ryze.