Matchup

Heavy AD damageHigh burstSustained DPS

Build vs Graves

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Health Potion
x2
Tear of the Goddess

Core build

Seraph's Embrace
1Mage
Rod of Ages
2HP
Actualizer
3Mage

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Rabadon's Deathcap
5Mage

Summoner spells

41289%
41411%

Anti AD

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

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Void Staff
5vs Tank

DPS

Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage
Cosmic Drive
Mage tank
100.0% WR1 games
SorcerySorcery
Stormraider's SurgeStormraider's Surge
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
WaterwalkingWaterwalking
InspirationInspiration
Triple TonicTriple Tonic
Cash BackCash Back
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
RyzeRyze
GravesGraves
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral

Graves's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

New Destiny (P)

Graves' shotgun has some unique properties. He must reload when he runs out of ammo. Attacks fire 4 bullets, which cannot pass through units. Non-champions struck by multiple bullets are knocked back.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
313s26s16s
69.5s26s16s1m40
96s24s16s1m40
116s22s16s1m20
166s18s14s1m
186s18s12s1m

Playing against Graves

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Minions and tanks block his autos (like a shotgun) — position yourself behind units to reduce his damage.

2

His W blinds you: get out of the smoke cloud quickly instead of fighting inside it.

3

Graves is an early/mid game jungle champion — if you scale better, play safe and wait for late game.

4

He has relatively short range (425) — long-range ADCs outrange him easily.

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