Matchup

Heavy AD damageHigh burstSustained DPS

Build vs Graves

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Blackfire Torch
1Mage
Lich Bane
2Mage
Mejai's Soulstealer
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Malignance
5Mage

Summoner spells

41264%
41434%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Zhonya's Hourglass
5vs AD

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Shadowflame
5vs Tank
Stormsurge
vs Tank
Void Staff
vs Tank

DPS

Malignance
Mage
Luden's Echo
Mage
Hextech Rocketbelt
Mage tank
Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage
Cosmic Drive
Mage tank

Other options

Oblivion Orb
100.0% WR1 games
DominationDomination
ElectrocuteElectrocute
Taste of BloodTaste of Blood
Grisly MementosGrisly Mementos
Ultimate HunterUltimate Hunter
SorcerySorcery
TranscendenceTranscendence
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
AhriAhri
GravesGraves
Aggressive
Neutral
Passive

Graves's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

New Destiny (P)

Graves' shotgun has some unique properties. He must reload when he runs out of ammo. Attacks fire 4 bullets, which cannot pass through units. Non-champions struck by multiple bullets are knocked back.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
313s26s16s
69.5s26s16s1m40
96s24s16s1m40
116s22s16s1m20
166s18s14s1m
186s18s12s1m

Playing against Graves

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Minions and tanks block his autos (like a shotgun) — position yourself behind units to reduce his damage.

2

His W blinds you: get out of the smoke cloud quickly instead of fighting inside it.

3

Graves is an early/mid game jungle champion — if you scale better, play safe and wait for late game.

4

He has relatively short range (425) — long-range ADCs outrange him easily.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026