Graves vs Xin Zhao

Graves
vs
47.1%

over 663 games

Xin Zhao

Skill matchup

Heavy AD damageHeavy CCDive threatHigh burst

Build vs Xin Zhao

Build adapted to this matchup

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

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%
SmiteDot0%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Immortal Shieldbow
Infinity Edge
Youmuu's Ghostblade
Mortal Reminder
B. F. Sword
Guardian Angel
Serrated Dirk
Umbral Glaive
Bloodthirster
Black Cleaver
Sundered Sky
Serpent's Fang
Executioner's Calling
Maw of Malmortius
Jak'Sho, The Protean
Death's Dance
Voltaic Cyclosword
Hexoptics C44
Stormrazor
Mercurial Scimitar
Edge of Night
Quicksilver Sash
Phantom Dancer
50.8% WR199 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

Xin Zhao's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Determination (P)

Every third attack deals bonus damage and heals Xin Zhao.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
37s12s11s–
66s12s11s2m
95s11s11s2m
115s10s11s1m50
165s8s11s1m40
185s8s11s1m40

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 Xin Zhao

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Dodge his thrust

    Get out of the line of the Wind Becomes Lightning (W) thrust: it slows you and marks you as Challenged, which extends the range of Audacious Charge (E) on you.

  2. Cut off his three hits

    If you have CC, use it during Three Talon Strike (Q): without his three autos, there's no knock-up, and his other cooldowns don't go down.

  3. Back off after his charge

    After Audacious Charge (E), keep your distance: it's his only dash to get back on you, and without it he has to walk up to you.

  4. No ranged damage after his ult

    After Crescent Guard (R), don't hit him from range: for a moment, he ignores damage from outside the swept zone. Back off, or hit him from inside it.

  5. Drag the game out

    If you survive his first minutes, play for time: Xin Zhao is strongest early on, through his ganks and skirmishes.

Patch 16.21.1