Matchup
Skill matchup
You are stronger late game — farm safe and avoid early trades.
Build vs Varus
Build adapted to this matchup
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
84%
9%Anti AD
Anti Heal
Anti AP
Anti Tank
DPS
Other options
Precision
Lethal Tempo
Triumph
Legend: Alacrity
Cut Down
Sorcery
Axiom Arcanist
Gathering Storm
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Twitch
VarusVarus'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 against Varus
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
Varus has NO mobility: assassins and engages kill him easily.
His R root spreads: spread out when an ally is rooted to avoid the chain.
Charged Q slows him: engage while he's charging to catch him immobile.
Cleanse or QSS cancels his R root — essential for carries.
Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026