Gwen 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

—

x2—

Core build

1—

2—

3—

Standard

4Magic pen

5—

Summoner spells

100%

Anti CC

4vs CC

Other options

—

Sorcery

Stormraider's Surge

Axiom Arcanist

Absolute Focus

Gathering Storm

Resolve

Overgrowth

Bone Plating

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

Land 4 autos before your Q
Land 4 autos before Snip Snip! (Q): each auto adds a snip, on top of the first and the last.
Hit with the center of your Q
Land the center of Snip Snip! (Q): in the center, part of the damage becomes true damage and each snip applies A Thousand Cuts (passive).
Mist against poke
Place Hallowed Mist (W) against poke and ranged CC: enemies outside the mist can't target you, except towers.
Use all three casts of your R
Cast all three Needlework (R) activations within 6 seconds: the first throws one needle, then three, then five, with growing damage.

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