Cho'Gath vs Graves
You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.
Build vs Graves
The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup
Recommended items for Cho'Gath: Hextech Rocketbelt, Riftmaker, Dead Man's Plate, Plated Steelcaps, Heartsteel, Randuin's Omen, Thornmail, Sunfire Aegis.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Graves's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 13s | 26s | 16s | – |
| 6 | 9.5s | 26s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 6s | 24s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 6s | 22s | 16s | 1m20 |
| 16 | 6s | 18s | 14s | 1m |
| 18 | 6s | 18s | 12s | 1m |
Playing as Cho'Gath
Tips to maximize your impact
- Aim Rupture where they're going
Aim Rupture (Q) where your opponent is going, not where they are: the area knocks them into the air and slows them.
- Silence after the knock-up
Follow a successful Rupture (Q) with Feral Scream (W): the silence stops them from casting spells, dashes included.
- Charge your spikes before a trade
Cast Vorpal Spikes (E) before a trade: your next 3 autos launch spikes that slow enemies in front of you and deal damage based on their max health.
- Eat as soon as Feast is up
Finish with Feast (R) as soon as it's up: each kill gives you permanent max health, but minions and non-epic monsters only give a limited amount.
Playing against Graves
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Keep units between you and him
Stay behind your minions or your frontline: the 4 bullets of each New Destiny (passive) auto can't pass through units.
- Hit him from outside his range
If you're ranged, hit him from a distance: his autos only reach 425, and New Destiny (passive) forces him to reload when his shotgun is empty.
- Get out of his smoke
Leave Smoke Screen (W) quickly rather than fighting inside it: the smoke slows you and cuts off all vision outside it.
- Drag the game out
If your team scales better over time, play for time: Graves is strongest in the early and mid game.
Other Cho'Gath matchups
Patch 16.21.1