Matchup

Heavy AD damageSustained DPSHeavy pokeCountered by spell shield

Build vs Varus

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Gustwalker Hatchling

Core build

Spear of Shojin
1Bruiser
Black Cleaver
2vs Tank
Death's Dance
3vs AD

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Endless Hunger
5DPS

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Guardian Angel
5vs AD
Dead Man's Plate
vs AD

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Maw of Malmortius
5vs AP

Anti Tank

Youmuu's Ghostblade
5vs Tank

DPS

Endless Hunger
DPS

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
HecarimHecarim
VarusVarus
Favorable
Favorable
Passive

Varus's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Living Vengeance (P)

On kill or assist, Varus temporarily gains Attack Damage and Ability Power. This bonus is larger if the enemy is a champion.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
316s40s18s
614s40s18s1m40
912s40s18s1m40
1112s40s18s1m20
1612s40s14s1m
1812s40s10s1m

Playing against Varus

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Varus has NO mobility: assassins and engages kill him easily.

2

His R root spreads: spread out when an ally is rooted to avoid the chain.

3

Charged Q slows him: engage while he's charging to catch him immobile.

4

Cleanse or QSS cancels his R root — essential for carries.

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