Azir vs Xerath

Azir
vs
44.8%

over 940 games

Xerath

Hard matchup

Heavy pokeHeavy AP damageHigh burstHeavy CC

You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.

Build vs Xerath

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Azir: Nashor's Tooth, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Zhonya's Hourglass, Dark Seal, Dusk and Dawn, Void Staff.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Nashor's Tooth
1
Shadowflame
2
Rabadon's Deathcap
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Zhonya's Hourglass
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport84%
FlashDot11%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Zhonya's Hourglass
Dark Seal
Dusk and Dawn
Void Staff
Liandry's Torment
Banshee's Veil
Lich Bane
Seeker's Armguard
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
Stormsurge
Hextech Rocketbelt
Horizon Focus
Oblivion Orb
Bloodletter's Curse
Mejai's Soulstealer
Blackfire Torch
Cryptbloom
Luden's Echo
Wit's End
Morellonomicon
Riftmaker
Randuin's Omen
49.7% WR171 games
PrecisionPrecision
Press the AttackPress the Attack
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
Cut DownCut Down
ResolveResolve
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Bone PlatingBone Plating
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 Azir

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Line your soldiers up on the wave

    Place your Arise! (W) soldiers so their spear thrust goes through the wave and your opponent: it hits every enemy in a line.

  2. Dash to a soldier with a clear path

    To escape, cast Shifting Sands (E) toward a soldier behind you: the spell shields you, but stops on the first enemy champion in its path.

  3. Get behind them before your R

    To get behind your target, cast Conquering Sands (Q) during the Shifting Sands (E) dash to a soldier. Emperor's Divide (R) then knocks them back toward your team.

  4. Protect your team with your wall

    Cast Emperor's Divide (R) between your team and those charging at it: the soldiers knock them back, then stay as a wall that blocks the way.

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