Kai'Sa vs Xerath

Kai'Sa
vs
52.4%

over 626 games

Xerath

Skill matchup

Heavy pokeHeavy AP damageHigh burstHeavy CC

Build vs Xerath

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Kai'Sa: Kraken Slayer, Guinsoo's Rageblade, Terminus, Berserker's Greaves, Nashor's Tooth, Zhonya's Hourglass, Statikk Shiv, Phantom Dancer.

Starting items

Doran's Bow
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Kraken Slayer
1
Guinsoo's Rageblade
2
Terminus
3

Standard

Berserker's Greaves
4AS
Nashor's Tooth
5

Summoner spells

FlashBarrier68%
ExhaustFlash16%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Nashor's Tooth
Zhonya's Hourglass
Statikk Shiv
Phantom Dancer
Rabadon's Deathcap
Seeker's Armguard
Shadowflame
Wit's End
Infinity Edge
Voltaic Cyclosword
Guardian Angel
B. F. Sword
Dusk and Dawn
Mercurial Scimitar
Banshee's Veil
Quicksilver Sash
Bloodthirster
Runaan's Hurricane
Maw of Malmortius
Jak'Sho, The Protean
Luden's Echo
Yun Tal Wildarrows
Lord Dominik's Regards
Mortal Reminder
The Collector
Fiendhunter Bolts
Executioner's Calling
61.3% WR217 games
PrecisionPrecision
Lethal TempoLethal Tempo
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Legend: BloodlineLegend: Bloodline
Coup de GraceCoup de Grace
InspirationInspiration
Magical FootwearMagical Footwear
Biscuit DeliveryBiscuit Delivery
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Xerath's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Mana Surge (P)

Xerath's basic attacks periodically restore Mana. Whenever Xerath kills a unit, this cooldown is reduced.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
39s14s13s–
67s14s13s2m10
95s13s13s2m10
115s12s13s1m55
165s10s12s1m40
185s10s11s1m40

Playing as Kai'Sa

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Use Q on an isolated target

    Cast Icathian Rain (Q) on an isolated target: the missiles split between nearby enemies, so a lone target takes them all.

  2. Attack after your ally's CC

    Attack right after your support lands CC: with Second Skin (passive), your allies' immobilizing effects also stack Plasma.

  3. Mark your target before your R

    Before Killer Instinct (R), stack Plasma on your target, from range with Void Seeker (W): the dash needs a marked target and gives you a shield.

  4. Play around your evolves

    Make use of each spell that Second Skin (passive) evolves: Supercharge (E) makes you invisible to get in, and Icathian Rain (Q) fires more missiles at a lone target.

Playing against Xerath

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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