Varus vs Zeri
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
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Zeri's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0s | 12s | 24s | – |
| 6 | 0s | 12s | 24s | 1m20 |
| 9 | 0s | 11s | 24s | 1m20 |
| 11 | 0s | 10s | 24s | 1m15 |
| 16 | 0s | 8s | 21s | 1m10 |
| 18 | 0s | 8s | 18s | 1m10 |
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 Zeri
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Other Varus matchups
Patch 16.21.1