Updated patch 26.18 · 1.5M high-elo games
Xerath
Artillery · magic (AP) damage
52.2%Win rate
2.5%Pick rate
7KGames
STier · Mid
Xerath is a Artillery that deals magic (AP) damage and brings stun, root, slow. Their hard CC is tenacity-reducible, so Mercury's Treads and tenacity items shorten their lockdown. Below is Xerath's highest-win-rate build from high-elo games; open the counter-build tool to tune it against your specific enemy team.
ABILITIES
PassiveMana Surge
Xerath's basic attacks periodically restore Mana. Whenever Xerath kills a unit, this cooldown is reduced.
QArcanopulse
Fires a long-range beam of energy, dealing magic damage to all targets hit.
WEye of Destruction
Calls down a barrage of arcane energy, slowing and dealing magic damage to all enemies in an area. Targets in the middle receive additional damage and a stronger slow.
EShocking Orb
Deals magic damage to an enemy and stuns them.
RRite of the Arcane
Xerath immobilizes himself and gains numerous long-range barrages.
COMBAT PROFILE
PLAYING ASXerath
- It's easier to land Arcanopulse on an enemy when they're moving toward or away from you, rather than side to side.
- Eye of Destruction will make landing Arcanopulse easier as the target will be slowed.
- If you stun an enemy with Shocking Orb, follow up with a guaranteed center hit on Eye of Destruction.
PLAYING AGAINSTXerath
- Xerath's range can be intimidating, but most champions who close distance with him can trade favorably.
- Xerath takes a long time to engage Rite of the Arcane. Watch for his spellcast animation and start dodging.
- Banshee's Veil will make it much harder for Xerath to land Shocking Orb on you.
CROWD CONTROL
Stuntenacity helpsFROME Shocking OrbRoottenacity helpsFROMR Rite of the ArcaneSlowignores tenacityFROMQ ArcanopulseW Eye of Destruction
E Shocking OrbRoottenacity helpsFROMR Rite of the ArcaneSlowignores tenacityFROMQ ArcanopulseW Eye of DestructionHover a crowd-control type to see which ability it comes from.
HIGHEST WIN-RATE BUILD
SKILL PRIORITY
Arcanopulse (Q)Fires a long-range beam of energy, dealing magic damage to all targets hit.Q→Eye of Destruction (W)Calls down a barrage of arcane energy, slowing and dealing magic damage to all enemies in an area. Targets in the middle receive additional damage and a stronger slow.W52.2% WR4,985 matches
SKILL PATH leveling order
Arcanopulse (Q)Fires a long-range beam of energy, dealing magic damage to all targets hit.QArcanopulse1
4
5
7
9
Eye of Destruction (W)Calls down a barrage of arcane energy, slowing and dealing magic damage to all enemies in an area. Targets in the middle receive additional damage and a stronger slow.WEye of Destruction2
8
10
12
13
Shocking Orb (E)Deals magic damage to an enemy and stuns them.EShocking Orb3
14
15
17
18
Rite of the Arcane (R)Xerath immobilizes himself and gains numerous long-range barrages.RRite of the Arcane6
11
16
Arcane Comet keystone
Sorcery
Summon Aery
Arcane Comet
Stormraider's Surge
Deathfire Touch
Axiom Arcanist
Manaflow Band
Nimbus Cloak
Transcendence
Celerity
Absolute Focus
Scorch
Waterwalking
Gathering Storm
Precision
Press the Attack
Lethal Tempo
Fleet Footwork
Conqueror
Absorb Life
Triumph
Presence of Mind
Legend: Alacrity
Legend: Haste
Legend: Bloodline
Coup de Grace
Cut Down
Last Stand
SUMMONER SPELLS
BUILD PATH · win rate by item
STARTING
Doran's Ring18 Ability Power
90 Health
Drain
Restore 1 Mana every second, increased to 2 Mana per second for 5 seconds after dealing damage to an enemy champion. If you can't gain Mana, heal for 45% of this value instead.
Helping Hand
Attacks deal 5 bonus physical damage to minions.Cost: 400
Health PotionConsume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.Cost: 50Best opening
BOOTS
Sorcerer's Shoes12 Magic Penetration
45 Move SpeedCost: 1100 · 800 to buildMost common
CORE
Luden's Echo100 Ability Power
600 Mana
10 Ability Haste
Echo
Damaging Abilities fire 6 Echoes that deal bonus magic damage to the target and nearby enemies. Remaining Echoes fire on the primary target, dealing 20% damage.Cost: 2750 · 450 to build→
Shadowflame110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damage Critically Strike enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.Cost: 3200 · 900 to buildBuild every game
3RD ITEM
Horizon Focus75 Ability Power
25 Ability Haste
Hypershot
Dealing Ability damage to champions at 600 range or greater Reveals them for 6 seconds.
Focus
When Hypershot is triggered, Reveal all other enemy champions within 1400 range of them for 3 seconds.Cost: 2700 · 600 to build53.9% WR1250 games
Stormsurge90 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
6% Move Speed
Stormraider
Dealing 25% of a champion's maximum Health within 2.5s applies Squall to them.
Squall
After 2 seconds, deal magic damage. If the target dies before Squall triggers, it damages nearby enemies.Cost: 2800 · 800 to build52.4% WR231 gamesWhat players go
4TH ITEM
Rabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.Cost: 3500 · 1100 to build55% WR1958 gamesHorizon Focus75 Ability Power
25 Ability Haste
Hypershot
Dealing Ability damage to champions at 600 range or greater Reveals them for 6 seconds.
Focus
When Hypershot is triggered, Reveal all other enemy champions within 1400 range of them for 3 seconds.Cost: 2700 · 600 to build53.7% WR415 gamesWhat players go
5TH ITEM
Rabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.Cost: 3500 · 1100 to build61.9% WR791 games
Void Staff95 Ability Power
40% Magic PenetrationCost: 3000 · 1050 to build52.3% WR480 games
Mejai's Soulstealer20 Ability Power
100 Health
Glory
Takedowns grant Glory, up to 25. 10 Glory is lost on death.
Gain 5 Ability Power per Glory and 10% Move Speed at 10 or higher Glory.Cost: 1500 · 1150 to build64.4% WR90 gamesWhat players go
Based on 7385 games · 52.2% win rate · challenger+grandmaster+master+emerald-diamond+platinum-emerald · patch 16.18.1.
SKILL PRIORITY
Arcanopulse (Q)Fires a long-range beam of energy, dealing magic damage to all targets hit.Q→Eye of Destruction (W)Calls down a barrage of arcane energy, slowing and dealing magic damage to all enemies in an area. Targets in the middle receive additional damage and a stronger slow.W47.8% WR1,638 matches
SKILL PATH leveling order
Arcanopulse (Q)Fires a long-range beam of energy, dealing magic damage to all targets hit.QArcanopulse2
4
5
7
9
Eye of Destruction (W)Calls down a barrage of arcane energy, slowing and dealing magic damage to all enemies in an area. Targets in the middle receive additional damage and a stronger slow.WEye of Destruction1
8
10
12
13
Shocking Orb (E)Deals magic damage to an enemy and stuns them.EShocking Orb3
14
15
17
18
Rite of the Arcane (R)Xerath immobilizes himself and gains numerous long-range barrages.RRite of the Arcane6
11
16
Arcane Comet keystone
SorcerySummon AeryArcane CometStormraider's SurgeDeathfire TouchAxiom ArcanistManaflow BandNimbus CloakTranscendenceCelerityAbsolute FocusScorchWaterwalkingGathering StormPrecisionPress the AttackLethal TempoFleet FootworkConquerorAbsorb LifeTriumphPresence of MindLegend: AlacrityLegend: HasteLegend: BloodlineCoup de GraceCut DownLast StandSUMMONER SPELLS
BUILD PATH · win rate by item
STARTING
World AtlasCost: 400Health PotionConsume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.Cost: 50Best opening
BOOTS
Sorcerer's Shoes12 Magic Penetration
45 Move SpeedCost: 1100 · 800 to buildMost common
CORE
Bloodsong200 Health
75% Base Health Regen
75% Base Mana Regen
9 Gold Per 10 Seconds
Spellblade
After using an Ability, your next Attack deals bonus physical damage On-Hit. If the target is a champion, they take increased damage for 4 seconds.Active (4 charges)
Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision.Cost: 400→Luden's Echo100 Ability Power
600 Mana
10 Ability Haste
Echo
Damaging Abilities fire 6 Echoes that deal bonus magic damage to the target and nearby enemies. Remaining Echoes fire on the primary target, dealing 20% damage.Cost: 2750 · 450 to buildBuild every game
2ND ITEM
Zaz'Zak's Realmspike200 Health
75% Base Health Regen
75% Base Mana Regen
9 Gold Per 10 Seconds
Void Explosion
Dealing Ability damage to a champion causes an explosion that deals magic damage.
Active (4 charges)
Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision.Cost: 40036.8% WR57 gamesWhat players go
3RD ITEM
Shadowflame110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damage Critically Strike enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.Cost: 3200 · 900 to build50.1% WR719 gamesHorizon Focus75 Ability Power
25 Ability Haste
Hypershot
Dealing Ability damage to champions at 600 range or greater Reveals them for 6 seconds.
Focus
When Hypershot is triggered, Reveal all other enemy champions within 1400 range of them for 3 seconds.Cost: 2700 · 600 to build46% WR504 gamesWhat players go
4TH ITEM
Shadowflame110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damage Critically Strike enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.Cost: 3200 · 900 to build47.1% WR259 gamesRabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.Cost: 3500 · 1100 to build53.5% WR198 gamesHorizon Focus75 Ability Power
25 Ability Haste
Hypershot
Dealing Ability damage to champions at 600 range or greater Reveals them for 6 seconds.
Focus
When Hypershot is triggered, Reveal all other enemy champions within 1400 range of them for 3 seconds.Cost: 2700 · 600 to build53.8% WR195 gamesWhat players go
Based on 2465 games · 47.8% win rate · challenger+grandmaster+master+emerald-diamond+platinum-emerald · patch 16.18.1.
SKILL PRIORITY
Arcanopulse (Q)Fires a long-range beam of energy, dealing magic damage to all targets hit.Q→Eye of Destruction (W)Calls down a barrage of arcane energy, slowing and dealing magic damage to all enemies in an area. Targets in the middle receive additional damage and a stronger slow.W51.1% WR1,427 matches
SKILL PATH leveling order
Arcanopulse (Q)Fires a long-range beam of energy, dealing magic damage to all targets hit.QArcanopulse1
4
5
7
9
Eye of Destruction (W)Calls down a barrage of arcane energy, slowing and dealing magic damage to all enemies in an area. Targets in the middle receive additional damage and a stronger slow.WEye of Destruction2
8
10
12
13
Shocking Orb (E)Deals magic damage to an enemy and stuns them.EShocking Orb3
14
15
16
18
Rite of the Arcane (R)Xerath immobilizes himself and gains numerous long-range barrages.RRite of the Arcane6
11
17
Arcane Comet keystone
SorcerySummon AeryArcane CometStormraider's SurgeDeathfire TouchAxiom ArcanistManaflow BandNimbus CloakTranscendenceCelerityAbsolute FocusScorchWaterwalkingGathering Storm
Inspiration
Glacial Augment
Unsealed Spellbook
First Strike
Hextech Flashtraption
Magical Footwear
Cash Back
Triple Tonic
Time Warp Tonic
Biscuit Delivery
Cosmic Insight
Approach Velocity
Jack Of All TradesSUMMONER SPELLS
BUILD PATH · win rate by item
STARTING
Doran's Ring18 Ability Power
90 Health
Drain
Restore 1 Mana every second, increased to 2 Mana per second for 5 seconds after dealing damage to an enemy champion. If you can't gain Mana, heal for 45% of this value instead.
Helping Hand
Attacks deal 5 bonus physical damage to minions.Cost: 400Health PotionConsume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.Cost: 50Best opening
BOOTS
Sorcerer's Shoes12 Magic Penetration
45 Move SpeedCost: 1100 · 800 to buildMost common
CORE
Luden's Echo100 Ability Power
600 Mana
10 Ability Haste
Echo
Damaging Abilities fire 6 Echoes that deal bonus magic damage to the target and nearby enemies. Remaining Echoes fire on the primary target, dealing 20% damage.Cost: 2750 · 450 to build→Shadowflame110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damage Critically Strike enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.Cost: 3200 · 900 to buildBuild every game
3RD ITEM
Horizon Focus75 Ability Power
25 Ability Haste
Hypershot
Dealing Ability damage to champions at 600 range or greater Reveals them for 6 seconds.
Focus
When Hypershot is triggered, Reveal all other enemy champions within 1400 range of them for 3 seconds.Cost: 2700 · 600 to build54.5% WR437 gamesWhat players go
4TH ITEM
Rabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.Cost: 3500 · 1100 to build51.8% WR579 gamesVoid Staff95 Ability Power
40% Magic PenetrationCost: 3000 · 1050 to build56.7% WR67 gamesWhat players go
5TH ITEM
Rabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.Cost: 3500 · 1100 to build54.7% WR256 gamesVoid Staff95 Ability Power
40% Magic PenetrationCost: 3000 · 1050 to build56.8% WR229 gamesWhat players go
Based on 2133 games · 51.1% win rate · challenger+grandmaster+master+emerald-diamond+platinum-emerald · patch 16.18.1.
SKILL PRIORITY
Arcanopulse (Q)Fires a long-range beam of energy, dealing magic damage to all targets hit.Q→Eye of Destruction (W)Calls down a barrage of arcane energy, slowing and dealing magic damage to all enemies in an area. Targets in the middle receive additional damage and a stronger slow.W→Shocking Orb (E)Deals magic damage to an enemy and stuns them.E60.8% WR24 matches
SKILL PATH leveling order
Arcanopulse (Q)Fires a long-range beam of energy, dealing magic damage to all targets hit.QArcanopulse1
4
5
7
9
Eye of Destruction (W)Calls down a barrage of arcane energy, slowing and dealing magic damage to all enemies in an area. Targets in the middle receive additional damage and a stronger slow.WEye of Destruction2
8
10
12
13
Shocking Orb (E)Deals magic damage to an enemy and stuns them.EShocking Orb3
14
15
17
18
Rite of the Arcane (R)Xerath immobilizes himself and gains numerous long-range barrages.RRite of the Arcane6
11
16
Arcane Comet keystone
SorcerySummon AeryArcane CometStormraider's SurgeDeathfire TouchAxiom ArcanistManaflow BandNimbus CloakTranscendenceCelerityAbsolute FocusScorchWaterwalkingGathering StormPrecisionPress the AttackLethal TempoFleet FootworkConquerorAbsorb LifeTriumphPresence of MindLegend: AlacrityLegend: HasteLegend: BloodlineCoup de GraceCut DownLast StandSUMMONER SPELLS
BUILD PATH · win rate by item
STARTING
Doran's Ring18 Ability Power
90 Health
Drain
Restore 1 Mana every second, increased to 2 Mana per second for 5 seconds after dealing damage to an enemy champion. If you can't gain Mana, heal for 45% of this value instead.
Helping Hand
Attacks deal 5 bonus physical damage to minions.Cost: 400Health PotionConsume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.Cost: 50Best opening
BOOTS
Sorcerer's Shoes12 Magic Penetration
45 Move SpeedCost: 1100 · 800 to buildMost common
CORE
Luden's Echo100 Ability Power
600 Mana
10 Ability Haste
Echo
Damaging Abilities fire 6 Echoes that deal bonus magic damage to the target and nearby enemies. Remaining Echoes fire on the primary target, dealing 20% damage.Cost: 2750 · 450 to build→Shadowflame110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damage Critically Strike enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.Cost: 3200 · 900 to buildBuild every game
Based on 51 games · 60.8% win rate · challenger+grandmaster+master+emerald-diamond+platinum-emerald · patch 16.18.1.
