Matchup

Heavy AP damageHeavy pokeHigh burstCountered by spell shield

Build vs Xerath

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Rod of Ages
1HP
Cosmic Drive
2Mage tank
Thornmail
3vs Hybride

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Kaenic Rookern
5vs AP

Summoner spells

412100%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Jak'Sho, The Protean
5vs Hybride
Unending Despair
vs AD
Randuin's Omen
vs AD
Dead Man's Plate
vs AD

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Kaenic Rookern
5vs AP
Hollow Radiance
vs AP

DPS

Hextech Rocketbelt
Mage tank
Riftmaker
Mage tank

Other options

Heartsteel
Survival
100.0% WR1 games
ResolveResolve
Grasp of the UndyingGrasp of the Undying
DemolishDemolish
ConditioningConditioning
OvergrowthOvergrowth
InspirationInspiration
Magical FootwearMagical Footwear
Approach VelocityApproach Velocity
Attack SpeedHealth ScalingHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
ChogathChogath
XerathXerath
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral

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 against Xerath

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Gap-close on Xerath: he's very vulnerable in melee. Assassins and engages destroy him.

2

His Q has a windup during which he slows down — engage when he's charging his Q.

3

All his abilities are skillshots: move constantly in unpredictable patterns.

4

His R makes him immobile: if you can find him during his R, interrupt him with CC.

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