Tristana vs Xerath
Hard matchup
Build vs Xerath
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
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 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 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 Tristana matchups
Patch 16.21.1