Fizz vs Xerath

Not enough games

Heavy pokeHeavy AP damageHigh burstHeavy CC

Build vs Xerath

The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup

Starting items

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Core build

1—

2—

3—

Standard

4Magic pen

5—

Anti CC

4vs CC

Other options

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Strength by game phase

Passive, spells and ultimate

Mana Surge (P)

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

Cooldowns by spell rank

Level	Q	W	E	R
3	9s	14s	13s	–
6	7s	14s	13s	2m10
9	5s	13s	13s	2m10
11	5s	12s	13s	1m55
16	5s	10s	12s	1m40
18	5s	10s	11s	1m40

Tips to maximize your impact

Farm with your trident
Last-hit minions with Seastone Trident (W) early on: if the empowered auto kills, you get mana back and its cooldown drops.
Dodge with Playful
Save Playful (E) to dodge a key spell: you're untargetable for 0.75 seconds, then land with damage and a slow.
Throw your fish from range
Cast Chum the Waters (R) from range: the farther the fish travels before it attaches, the stronger the shark's slow and damage.
Combo before the shark
After Chum the Waters (R), chain Urchin Strike (Q) and Seastone Trident (W) while the target is slowed: the shark then bursts up under them and knocks them into the air.

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

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.
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.
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.
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