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Matchup

Ryze
Ryze
17%
83%

vs

36.2%

over 149 games

Varus
Varus
64%
36%
Heavy AD damageSustained DPSHeavy pokeCountered by spell shield

Hard matchup

Build vs Varus

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Seraph's Embrace
1Mage
Actualizer
2Mage
Cosmic Drive
3Mage tank

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Rod of Ages
5HP

Summoner spells

41255%
4625%

Anti AD

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

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Banshee's Veil
5vs AP
Kaenic Rookern
vs AP

Anti Tank

Void Staff
5vs Tank
Shadowflame
vs Tank

DPS

Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage

Other options

Rod of Ages
HP
Dark Seal
Winter's Approach
Survival
100.0% WR1 games
SorcerySorcery
Stormraider's SurgeStormraider's Surge
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
Gathering StormGathering Storm
ResolveResolve
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Bone PlatingBone Plating
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

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

Varus's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Living Vengeance (P)

On kill or assist, Varus temporarily gains Attack Damage and Ability Power. This bonus is larger if the enemy is a champion.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
316s40s18s–
614s40s18s1m40
912s40s18s1m40
1112s40s18s1m20
1612s40s14s1m
1812s40s10s1m

Playing against Varus

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Varus has NO mobility: assassins and engages kill him easily.

2

His R root spreads: spread out when an ally is rooted to avoid the chain.

3

Charged Q slows him: engage while he's charging to catch him immobile.

4

Cleanse or QSS cancels his R root — essential for carries.

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