Varus vs Zeri

Varus
vs
Not enough games
Zeri
Heavy AD damageSustained DPSHigh burstHeavy poke

Build vs Zeri

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, Zhonya's Hourglass, Jak'Sho, The Protean, Rabadon's Deathcap, Guardian Angel.

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
Zhonya's Hourglass
5

Summoner spells

ExhaustFlash100%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Zhonya's Hourglass
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

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Zeri's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Living Battery (P)

Zeri's Attacks deal magic damage and are treated as Abilities. Moving and casting Burst Fire stores up energy in Zeri's Sparkpack. When fully charged her next Attack deals bonus damage.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
30s12s24s–
60s12s24s1m20
90s11s24s1m20
110s10s24s1m15
160s8s21s1m10
180s8s18s1m10

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 Zeri

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Stay behind your minions

    Keep minions between you and her: Burst Fire (Q) stops on the first enemy hit, except during Spark Surge (E), when it pierces through them.

  2. Stay away from walls

    Don't fight near a wall against her: if Ultrashock Laser (W) hits it, it becomes an area laser that slows and critically strikes.

  3. Engage right after her dash

    If you can engage, go in right after Spark Surge (E): it's her only dash, and each of her hits lowers its cooldown, so don't wait.

  4. Break contact during her ult

    During Lightning Crash (R), back off out of her range: each hit she lands on a champion extends the effect and makes her faster.

Patch 16.21.1