Veigar vs Xerath
Skill matchup
You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.
Build vs Xerath
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Veigar: Luden's Echo, Stormsurge, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Rod of Ages, Seraph's Embrace, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Xerath's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Xerath's basic attacks periodically restore Mana. Whenever Xerath kills a unit, this cooldown is reduced.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9s | 14s | 13s | – |
| 6 | 7s | 14s | 13s | 2m10 |
| 9 | 5s | 13s | 13s | 2m10 |
| 11 | 5s | 12s | 13s | 1m55 |
| 16 | 5s | 10s | 12s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 5s | 10s | 11s | 1m40 |
Playing as Veigar
Tips to maximize your impact
- Last-hit with Baleful Strike
Last-hit minions with Baleful Strike (Q): each kill with this spell gives you a Phenomenal Evil stack, which is power for the whole game, and large minions give more.
- Make them cross the edge of your cage
Place Event Horizon (E) so your target is on the edge or has to cross it: only the cage's perimeter stuns, and it only lasts 3 seconds.
- Cage first, Dark Matter second
Stun first with Event Horizon (E), then cast Dark Matter (W): a stunned target can't dodge it.
- Finish with your ult
Cast Primordial Burst (R) last, after your other spells: its damage rises with the target's missing health and peaks below 33%.
Playing against Xerath
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay behind your minions
Keep minions between you and Xerath: Shocking Orb (E) stuns the first enemy hit, for longer the farther it has traveled.
- Change direction
Don't stand still, and change direction often: Arcanopulse (Q) hits a target moving forward or backward in a straight line much more easily.
- Engage while he charges
If you can engage, go in while he charges Arcanopulse (Q): he slows down by up to 50%, and he has no dash to escape.
- Interrupt his Rite of the Arcane
If you have CC and can reach him during Rite of the Arcane (R), use it: he channels the ult, and interrupting it stops his shots.
Other Veigar matchups
Patch 16.21.1