Jinx vs Xerath
Skill matchup
Build vs Xerath
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Jinx: Hexoptics C44, Runaan's Hurricane, Infinity Edge, Berserker's Greaves, Lord Dominik's Regards, B. F. Sword, Phantom Dancer, Yun Tal Wildarrows.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Xerath's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Xerath's basic attacks periodically restore Mana. Whenever Xerath kills a unit, this cooldown is reduced.
Cooldowns
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 |
Playing as Jinx
Tips to maximize your impact
- Poke with rockets, trade with minigun
Poke with Fishbones, the rocket launcher of Switcheroo! (Q), for its range and splash damage, then swap back to the minigun for long trades.
- Kite whoever charges you
Fire Zap! (W) to kite the bruiser running at you or catch an enemy who's fleeing: it slows and reveals the first enemy hit.
- Put your traps in their path
Throw Flame Chompers! (E) in the path of their engage or their escape: they root the champion who steps on them and last 5 seconds.
- Focus the lowest-health target
In teamfights, focus the lowest-health target first: each takedown triggers Get Excited! (passive), a big boost to attack speed and move speed.
- Save your rocket to finish
Fire Super Mega Death Rocket! (R) to finish a fleeing enemy rather than to start a fight: its damage grows with their missing health and over its first second of flight.
Playing against Xerath
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.
Other Jinx matchups
Patch 16.21.1