Varus vs Tristana
Build vs Tristana
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, Terminus, Jak'Sho, The Protean, Nashor's Tooth.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Tristana's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Increases Tristana's Attack Range as she levels.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 20s | 22s | 16s | – |
| 6 | 18s | 22s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 16s | 20s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 16s | 18s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 16s | 14s | 15s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 16s | 14s | 14s | 1m40 |
Playing as Varus
Tips to maximize your impact
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Tristana
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Step away from your minions
Don't stay glued to your minions: when her autos kill them, Explosive Charge (E) damages nearby enemies, and her bomb also explodes in an area.
- Back off when her bomb is on you
Back off as soon as Explosive Charge (E) is stuck on you: each of her hits makes it stronger, and a bomb that explodes at max stacks resets Rocket Jump (W).
- Respect her Rapid Fire
When she activates Rapid Fire (Q) in a fight, back off until the bonus ends, or stun her if you can: her attack speed spikes for the spell's duration.
- Spread out when her bomb is on you
In teamfights, when Explosive Charge (E) is on you, spread out from your allies: when it explodes, the bomb also damages anyone near you.
Other Varus matchups
Patch 16.21.1