Syndra vs Xerath

Syndra
vs
46.5%

over 288 games

Xerath

Skill matchup

Heavy pokeHeavy AP damageHigh burstHeavy CC

Build vs Xerath

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Syndra: Luden's Echo, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Blackfire Torch, Stormsurge, Dark Seal, Zhonya's Hourglass.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Luden's Echo
1
Shadowflame
2
Rabadon's Deathcap
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Blackfire Torch
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport85%
FlashHaste9%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Blackfire Torch
Stormsurge
Dark Seal
Zhonya's Hourglass
Cosmic Drive
Hextech Rocketbelt
Void Staff
Cryptbloom
Imperial Mandate
Mejai's Soulstealer
Seeker's Armguard
Banshee's Veil
Oblivion Orb
Liandry's Torment
50.0% WR28 games
SorcerySorcery
Arcane CometArcane Comet
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
InspirationInspiration
Triple TonicTriple Tonic
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth

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 Syndra

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Push a sphere to stun

    Place Dark Sphere (Q) between you and your target, then cast Scatter the Weak (E): the sphere you push stuns the enemies it hits.

  2. Follow Force of Will with a sphere

    After landing Force of Will (W), follow up right away with Dark Sphere (Q): the target is slowed and has a hard time dodging it.

  3. Poke with Dark Sphere

    Poke with Dark Sphere (Q) from level 1: it has 800 range, its cooldown is only 7 seconds, and each rank of your ult lowers it further.

  4. Damage enemies to grow your spells

    Hit enemies whenever you can: Transcendent (passive) gives you Splinters of Wrath for every level and every hit, and each threshold upgrades one of your spells.

  5. Set up spheres before your ult

    Place several spheres before Unleashed Power (R): the ult launches the 3 orbiting you at your target, plus up to 4 more nearby.

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.

Patch 16.21.1