Graves vs Aatrox

Graves
vs
47.3%

over 313 games

Aatrox

Skill matchup

Heavy AD damageHigh sustainSplit pushSustained DPS

Build vs Aatrox

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Graves: Hubris, The Collector, Lord Dominik's Regards, Plated Steelcaps, Immortal Shieldbow, Mortal Reminder, Infinity Edge, Youmuu's Ghostblade.

Starting items

Scorchclaw Pup
Health Potion

Core build

Hubris
1
The Collector
2
Lord Dominik's Regards
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Immortal Shieldbow
5

Summoner spells

FlashSmite100%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Immortal Shieldbow
Mortal Reminder
Infinity Edge
Youmuu's Ghostblade
B. F. Sword
Guardian Angel
Umbral Glaive
Serrated Dirk
Bloodthirster
Sundered Sky
Executioner's Calling
Serpent's Fang
Black Cleaver
Jak'Sho, The Protean
Voltaic Cyclosword
Maw of Malmortius
Mercurial Scimitar
Death's Dance
50.7% WR75 games
DominationDomination
Dark HarvestDark Harvest
Sudden ImpactSudden Impact
Grisly MementosGrisly Mementos
Treasure HunterTreasure Hunter
PrecisionPrecision
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
TriumphTriumph
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Aatrox's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Deathbringer Stance (P)

Periodically, Aatrox's next basic attack deals bonus magic damage and heals him, based on the target's max health.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
314s18s9s–
610s18s9s2m
96s16.5s9s2m
116s15s9s1m40
166s12s7s1m20
186s12s5s1m20

Playing as Graves

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Clear your line of fire

    Position with no minion between you and your target: each New Destiny (passive) auto fires 4 bullets that can't pass through units.

  2. Blind their carries

    Cast Smoke Screen (W) on their carries: inside the smoke, they're slowed and can't see anything outside it for 4 seconds.

  3. Back away as you fire your R

    Fire Collateral Damage (R) with your back to the danger: the shot knocks you backward, enough to reposition while dealing damage.

  4. Chain dashes during your clear

    Cast Quickdraw (E) often during your clear: it reloads a shell, gives armor and magic resist, and each bullet that hits lowers its cooldown.

Playing against Aatrox

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Avoid the edge of his blade

    Stick to him or step out of range when he casts The Darkin Blade (Q): only the edge, at the end of each swing, knocks you into the air and deals full damage.

  2. Get out of his chains fast

    Leave the Infernal Chains (W) zone before it closes, with a dash if you have one: otherwise you get pulled back to the impact point and take the damage again.

  3. Trade after his blade

    Take a trade right after the three swings of The Darkin Blade (Q): it's his only knock-up, with a 14 to 6 second cooldown depending on rank.

  4. Short trades

    Take short trades: Umbral Dash (E) heals him for part of all the damage he deals to champions, so a long trade favors him.

  5. Respect his level 6

    Once he hits level 6, back off when he casts World Ender (R): he gains AD and increased healing, and every takedown extends its duration.

Patch 16.21.1