Leona vs Xerath
Skill matchup
Build vs Xerath
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Leona: Locket of the Iron Solari, Knight's Vow, Bandlepipes, Mercury's Treads, Celestial Opposition, Solstice Sleigh, Thornmail, Bramble Vest.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
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 Leona
Tips to maximize your impact
- Engage at level 2
Look for an engage at level 2: with Zenith Blade (E) then Shield of Daybreak (Q), you root then stun your target.
- Only engage if your carry follows
Only engage if your carry can follow: Sunlight (passive) marks your targets for 1.5 seconds, and only your allies trigger it for extra damage.
- Activate Eclipse before engaging
Activate Eclipse (W) right before engaging: you gain armor, magic resist and damage reduction, extended if the explosion hits an enemy.
- R on a stunned target
Engage with Zenith Blade (E) and Shield of Daybreak (Q), then cast Solar Flare (R) on the stunned target: they can't leave the center, which stuns.
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 Leona matchups
Patch 16.21.1