Varus vs Lucian

Varus
vs
Not enough games
Lucian
Heavy AD damageSustained DPSHigh burstSplit push

Build vs Lucian

The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup

Recommended items for Varus: Experimental Hexplate, Dusk and Dawn, Riftmaker, Plated Steelcaps, Guinsoo's Rageblade, Zhonya's Hourglass, Nashor's Tooth, Terminus.

Starting items

Doran's Bow
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Experimental Hexplate
1
Dusk and Dawn
2
Riftmaker
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Guinsoo's Rageblade
5

Summoner spells

ExhaustFlash60%
FlashBarrier20%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Guinsoo's Rageblade
Zhonya's Hourglass
Nashor's Tooth
Terminus
Statikk Shiv
Jak'Sho, The Protean
Rabadon's Deathcap
Guardian Angel
Stormsurge
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

Lucian's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Lightslinger (P)

Whenever Lucian uses an ability, his next attack becomes a double-shot. When Lucian is healed or shielded by an ally, or when a nearby enemy Champion is immobilized, his next 2 basic attacks will deal bonus magic damage.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
39s14s16s–
67s14s16s1m50
95s13s16s1m50
115s12s16s1m40
165s10s15s1m30
185s10s14s1m30

Playing as Varus

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Apply Blight, then a spell

    Apply Blight with your autos through Blighted Quiver (W), then detonate it with a spell: each stack deals damage based on max health and, on a champion, lowers your cooldowns.

  2. Fire early at close range

    Against a close target, fire Piercing Arrow (Q) without waiting for a full charge: charging adds damage, but it slows you in the meantime.

  3. Cut their healing with your hail

    Cast Hail of Arrows (E) on enemies who are healing or charging at you: the desecrated ground slows them and applies Grievous Wounds.

  4. Target an enemy near their team

    Cast Chain of Corruption (R) on a champion close to their allies: the corruption then spreads to nearby champions and roots them too.

Playing against Lucian

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Punish his dash

    Punish him after an aggressive dash: Relentless Pursuit (E) has a 16 to 14 second cooldown, only reduced when his double shots hit.

  2. Step back after each burst

    Back off after each of his spells: Lightslinger (passive) doubles the next auto, so his damage comes in short bursts.

  3. Poke him from outside his range

    If your attack range beats his 500 units, poke him from outside it: he then has to use Relentless Pursuit (E) to get back on you.

  4. Drag the game out

    If you survive the laning phase, play for time: Lucian is strongest early and loses impact once everyone has their items.

Patch 16.21.1