Ahri vs Xerath

Ahri
vs
50.0%

over 1571 games

Xerath

Skill matchup

Heavy pokeHeavy AP damageHigh burstHeavy CC

Build vs Xerath

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Ahri: Malignance, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Lich Bane, Rabadon's Deathcap, Dark Seal, Blackfire Torch.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Malignance
1
Shadowflame
2
Zhonya's Hourglass
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Lich Bane
5

Summoner spells

FlashDot67%
FlashTeleport32%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Lich Bane
Rabadon's Deathcap
Dark Seal
Blackfire Torch
Luden's Echo
Mejai's Soulstealer
Stormsurge
Seeker's Armguard
Cosmic Drive
Void Staff
Banshee's Veil
Hextech Rocketbelt
Cryptbloom
Oblivion Orb
Liandry's Torment
Horizon Focus
Morellonomicon
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
Bloodletter's Curse
Imperial Mandate
Rod of Ages
Seraph's Embrace
Hextech Gunblade
52.5% WR181 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

Xerath's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Mana Surge (P)

Xerath's basic attacks periodically restore Mana. Whenever Xerath kills a unit, this cooldown is reduced.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
39s14s13s–
67s14s13s2m10
95s13s13s2m10
115s12s13s1m55
165s10s12s1m40
185s10s11s1m40

Playing as Ahri

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Charm first, combo second

    Land Charm (E) before your combo: it's your only CC, and a target walking toward you takes Orb of Deception (Q) both ways.

  2. Bring your orb back through the target

    Position so Orb of Deception (Q) hits on the way out and on the way back: the return deals true damage.

  3. Farm to heal

    To stay in lane, clear the wave with Orb of Deception (Q): Essence Theft (passive) heals you every 9 minions or monsters killed, and more after a takedown.

  4. Save a dash to get out

    Engage with Spirit Rush (R) but save a dash to get out: you can cast it up to 3 times, and each takedown gives you another.

  5. Push, then roam

    Push your wave with Orb of Deception (Q), then roam: the dashes of Spirit Rush (R) get you there fast and back out just as fast.

Playing against Xerath

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Stay behind your minions

    Keep minions between you and Xerath: Shocking Orb (E) stuns the first enemy hit, for longer the farther it has traveled.

  2. Change direction

    Don't stand still, and change direction often: Arcanopulse (Q) hits a target moving forward or backward in a straight line much more easily.

  3. Engage while he charges

    If you can engage, go in while he charges Arcanopulse (Q): he slows down by up to 50%, and he has no dash to escape.

  4. Interrupt his Rite of the Arcane

    If you have CC and can reach him during Rite of the Arcane (R), use it: he channels the ult, and interrupting it stops his shots.

Patch 16.21.1