Matchup

Varus
Varus
64%
36%

vs

47.2%

over 839 games

Irelia
Irelia
58%
42%
Heavy AD damageSustained DPSDive threatSplit push

Skill matchup

Build vs Irelia

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Blade
Health Potion

Core build

Experimental Hexplate
1Bruiser
Guinsoo's Rageblade
2
Terminus
3vs Tank

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Dusk and Dawn
5Mage tank

Summoner spells

3456%
42133%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Zhonya's Hourglass
5vs AD
Randuin's Omen
vs AD
Frozen Heart
vs AD
Guardian Angel
vs AD

Anti Heal

Thornmail
6vs Hybride

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Wit's End
5vs AP
Banshee's Veil
vs AP
Kaenic Rookern
vs AP

Anti Tank

Shadowflame
5vs Tank
Void Staff
vs Tank
Stormsurge
vs Tank

DPS

Dusk and Dawn
Mage tank
Riftmaker
Mage tank
Nashor's Tooth
DPS
Statikk Shiv
DPS
Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage
Blade of The Ruined King
DPS
Malignance
Mage
Hextech Rocketbelt
Mage tank
Kraken Slayer
DPS
Hullbreaker
Bruiser

Other options

Dark Seal
Jak'Sho, The Protean
vs Hybride
Oblivion Orb
Locket of the Iron Solari
HP
Quicksilver Sash
90.9% WR11 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
IreliaIrelia
Passive
Neutral
Aggressive

Irelia's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Ionian Fervor (P)

When Irelia strikes enemies with spells she gains stacking bonus Attack Speed. At maximum stacks she also gains bonus damage on hit.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s20s16s
68s20s16s2m05
96s18s16s2m05
116s16s16s1m45
166s12s13s1m25
186s12s10s1m25

Playing against Irelia

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Don't stand next to your low-HP minions: Irelia can Q reset through them to gap-close on you.

2

If Irelia doesn't have her 4 passive stacks, she's much weaker — fight her when she doesn't have stacks.

3

Her E (stun) has two parts: you can see the first blade and anticipate the second. Move as soon as you see the first one.

4

Ranged champions with CC counter her: she's weak if she can't dash through minions to get close.

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