Matchup

Heavy AP damageHeavy pokeHigh burstCountered by spell shield

You are stronger late game — farm safe and avoid early trades.

Build vs Xerath

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Shield
Health Potion

Core build

Nashor's Tooth
1DPS
Rabadon's Deathcap
2Mage
Shadowflame
3vs Tank

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Dusk and Dawn
5Mage tank

Summoner spells

41280%
41410%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Zhonya's Hourglass
5vs AD

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Void Staff
5vs Tank

DPS

Dusk and Dawn
Mage tank
Phantom Dancer
DPS
100.0% WR1 games
PrecisionPrecision
Press the AttackPress the Attack
Absorb LifeAbsorb Life
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
Last StandLast Stand
SorcerySorcery
CelerityCelerity
Gathering StormGathering Storm
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
KayleKayle
XerathXerath
Careful
Careful
Aggressive

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 against Xerath

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Gap-close on Xerath: he's very vulnerable in melee. Assassins and engages destroy him.

2

His Q has a windup during which he slows down — engage when he's charging his Q.

3

All his abilities are skillshots: move constantly in unpredictable patterns.

4

His R makes him immobile: if you can find him during his R, interrupt him with CC.

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