LeBlanc vs Xerath
Skill matchup
You are stronger early. Look to snowball before your opponent scales.
Build vs Xerath
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for LeBlanc: Luden's Echo, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Stormsurge, Dark Seal, Zhonya's Hourglass, Mejai's Soulstealer.
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 LeBlanc
Tips to maximize your impact
- Pop your sigil with a spell
After Sigil of Malice (Q), hit the target with another ability: the sigil only detonates on a spell, not on an auto.
- Distortion in, then come back
Take your trades with Distortion (W): within 4 seconds, recast it to return to where you started.
- Keep your target chained
After Ethereal Chains (E), keep the target chained for 1.5 seconds: they're then rooted and take extra damage, giving you time to land your burst.
- Look for isolated targets
In the mid game, look for isolated targets rather than head-on teamfights: your burst focuses one target, and Distortion (W) then takes you back out.
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 LeBlanc matchups
Patch 16.21.1