Jax vs Aatrox
Skill matchup
Build vs Aatrox
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Jax: Trinity Force, Sundered Sky, Zhonya's Hourglass, Plated Steelcaps, Blade of The Ruined King, Dusk and Dawn, Death's Dance, Executioner's Calling.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Aatrox's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 14s | 18s | 9s | – |
| 6 | 10s | 18s | 9s | 2m |
| 9 | 6s | 16.5s | 9s | 2m |
| 11 | 6s | 15s | 9s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 6s | 12s | 7s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 6s | 12s | 5s | 1m20 |
Playing as Jax
Tips to maximize your impact
- Start trades with Counter Strike
Start your trades with Counter Strike (E): you dodge autos and take less area damage, and each dodged auto adds damage to the stunning counterattack.
- Look for long trades
Look for long trades: each consecutive auto increases your attack speed thanks to Relentless Assault (passive).
- Ward hop to escape
To escape, place a ward and jump to it with Leap Strike (Q): it can target any unit or ward, allied or enemy.
- Activate your R up close
Activate Grandmaster-at-Arms (R) up close: it only grants armor and magic resist if it hits a champion, and your bonus hits then land every other auto.
Playing against Aatrox
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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