Brand vs Xerath

Brand
vs
52.1%

over 305 games

Xerath

Skill matchup

Heavy pokeHeavy AP damageHigh burstHeavy CC

Build vs Xerath

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Brand: Blackfire Torch, Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Liandry's Torment, Sorcerer's Shoes, Zhonya's Hourglass, Oblivion Orb, Shadowflame, Morellonomicon.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Blackfire Torch
1
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
2
Liandry's Torment
3

Standard

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

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport48%
FlashDot30%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Zhonya's Hourglass
Oblivion Orb
Shadowflame
Morellonomicon
Rabadon's Deathcap
Bloodletter's Curse
Dark Seal
Void Staff
Seeker's Armguard
Tear of the Goddess
Mejai's Soulstealer
Cryptbloom
Malignance
Seraph's Embrace
Banshee's Veil
52.7% WR55 games
SorcerySorcery
Deathfire TouchDeathfire Touch
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
PrecisionPrecision
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Coup de GraceCoup de Grace
Ability HasteAdaptive 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 Brand

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Three spells for the explosion

    Hit the same target with three spells: at 3 stacks, Blaze (passive) becomes unstable and detonates 2 seconds later, dealing heavy damage around it.

  2. Set them ablaze before the stun

    Start with Conflagration (E), then Sear (Q) to stun the target while they're ablaze, and finish with Pillar of Flame (W), which deals 25% more damage to them.

  3. Spread the fire from minions

    Cast Conflagration (E) on a minion that's ablaze near your opponent: when the target is ablaze, the spread range doubles and reaches them.

  4. Save your R for a group

    Cast Pyroclasm (R) when several enemies are close: the torrent bounces up to 5 times, first to champions that are ablaze but not yet at 3 stacks.

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