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Kog'Maw vs Xerath

Kog'Maw
vs
43.3%

over 430 games

Xerath
Analyze a draft with Kog'Maw

Hard matchup

Heavy pokeHeavy AP damageHigh burstHeavy CC

You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.

Build vs Xerath

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Kog'Maw: Dusk and Dawn, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Dark Seal, Luden's Echo, Zhonya's Hourglass, Void Staff.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Dusk and Dawn
1
Shadowflame
2
Rabadon's Deathcap
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Dark Seal
5

Summoner spells

FlashHaste65%
FlashTeleport20%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Dark Seal
Luden's Echo
Zhonya's Hourglass
Void Staff
Banshee's Veil
Nashor's Tooth
Mejai's Soulstealer
Seraph's Embrace
Malignance
Seeker's Armguard
Tear of the Goddess
Guinsoo's Rageblade
Stormsurge
Oblivion Orb
Blackfire Torch
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
Horizon Focus
Wit's End
Terminus
Liandry's Torment
Blade of The Ruined King
Cryptbloom
46.2% WR119 games
SorcerySorcery
Stormraider's SurgeStormraider's Surge
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
Absolute FocusAbsolute Focus
Gathering StormGathering Storm
PrecisionPrecision
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Cut DownCut Down
Adaptive ForceAdaptive 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 Kog'Maw

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Start with Caustic Spittle

    Start your trades with Caustic Spittle (Q): it reduces the target's armor and magic resist, and its ranks also give you permanent attack speed.

  2. Activate W before the fight

    Activate Bio-Arcane Barrage (W) right before the teamfight: it extends your attack range, and your autos deal damage based on the target's max health.

  3. Slow whoever charges you

    When an enemy runs at you, cast Void Ooze (E) between you and them: the trail of ooze slows everyone who crosses it.

  4. Save your R to finish

    Save Living Artillery (R) for targets below 40% health, where it deals its max damage: each shot fired in quick succession costs more mana.

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.

Other Kog'Maw matchups

Patch 16.21.1