Tristana vs Varus
Skill matchup
Build vs Varus
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Tristana: Yun Tal Wildarrows, Infinity Edge, Navori Flickerblade, Berserker's Greaves, Lord Dominik's Regards, The Collector, B. F. Sword, Hexoptics C44.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Varus's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 16s | 40s | 18s | – |
| 6 | 14s | 40s | 18s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 12s | 40s | 18s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 12s | 40s | 18s | 1m20 |
| 16 | 12s | 40s | 14s | 1m |
| 18 | 12s | 40s | 10s | 1m |
Playing as Tristana
Tips to maximize your impact
- Bomb, then Rapid Fire
Plant Explosive Charge (E), then activate Rapid Fire (Q): the attack speed helps you land the 4 hits that make it explode right away, at full power.
- Keep them at a distance
Hit from range and back off as soon as they come close: Draw a Bead (passive) increases your attack range with each level.
- Chain your jumps
Chain your jumps in teamfights: Rocket Jump (W) resets right away on a champion takedown, or when Explosive Charge (E) explodes at max stacks on a champion.
- Knock back the assassin with your ult
Save Buster Shot (R) for the assassin who jumps on you: the cannonball knocks back your target and nearby enemies, and stuns them.
Playing against Varus
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Back off with his Blight on you
Back off after taking a few autos: each one applies a Blight stack from Blighted Quiver (W), and his spells detonate them for damage based on your max health.
- Engage while he charges
If you can engage, go in while he charges Piercing Arrow (Q): charging slows him, and he has no dash to escape.
- Leave his hail of arrows
Get out of the Hail of Arrows (E) zone fast: the desecrated ground slows you and reduces the healing you receive.
- Spread out from the chained ally
When an ally is caught by Chain of Corruption (R), move away from them fast: the corruption spreads to nearby champions, but dies out if you get far enough in time.
Other Tristana matchups
Patch 16.21.1