Matchup

Heavy AD damageHigh burstSustained DPS

Build vs Graves

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Blade
Health Potion

Core build

Dusk and Dawn
1Mage tank
Statikk Shiv
2DPS
Guinsoo's Rageblade
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Experimental Hexplate
5Bruiser

Summoner spells

42156%
3429%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Zhonya's Hourglass
5vs AD
Guardian Angel
vs AD

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Shadowflame
5vs Tank

DPS

Experimental Hexplate
Bruiser
Riftmaker
Mage tank
Nashor's Tooth
DPS
Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage
100.0% WR1 games
PrecisionPrecision
Press the AttackPress the Attack
TriumphTriumph
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
Last StandLast Stand
ResolveResolve
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Bone PlatingBone Plating
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

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

Graves's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

New Destiny (P)

Graves' shotgun has some unique properties. He must reload when he runs out of ammo. Attacks fire 4 bullets, which cannot pass through units. Non-champions struck by multiple bullets are knocked back.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
313s26s16s
69.5s26s16s1m40
96s24s16s1m40
116s22s16s1m20
166s18s14s1m
186s18s12s1m

Playing against Graves

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Minions and tanks block his autos (like a shotgun) — position yourself behind units to reduce his damage.

2

His W blinds you: get out of the smoke cloud quickly instead of fighting inside it.

3

Graves is an early/mid game jungle champion — if you scale better, play safe and wait for late game.

4

He has relatively short range (425) — long-range ADCs outrange him easily.

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