Viego vs Graves
Skill matchup
Build vs Graves
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Viego: Kraken Slayer, The Collector, Immortal Shieldbow, Plated Steelcaps, Lord Dominik's Regards, Infinity Edge, Hubris, Guardian Angel.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Graves's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Graves' shotgun has some unique properties. He must reload when he runs out of ammo. Attacks fire 4 bullets, which cannot pass through units. Non-champions struck by multiple bullets are knocked back.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 13s | 26s | 16s | – |
| 6 | 9.5s | 26s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 6s | 24s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 6s | 22s | 16s | 1m20 |
| 16 | 6s | 18s | 14s | 1m |
| 18 | 6s | 18s | 12s | 1m |
Playing as Viego
Tips to maximize your impact
- An auto after each spell
Weave in an auto after each spell: thanks to Blade of the Ruined King (Q), your first attack on an enemy damaged by an ability strikes twice and heals you.
- Fully charge Spectral Maw
Charge Spectral Maw (W) when you have time: the longer the charge, the longer the first enemy hit stays stunned, but you're slowed in the meantime.
- Strike from the Mist
Cast Harrowed Path (E) on a wall near your target: inside the Mist, you're camouflaged and gain move speed and attack speed.
- Hit the wraith to possess the champion
After a kill, hit the wraith to trigger Sovereign's Domination (passive): you restore health and take their basic spells and items, but not their ult.
- Finish with Heartbreaker
Cast Heartbreaker (R) to finish: you leave the possessed body and strike the champion with the lowest health percentage, with damage based on their missing health.
Playing against Graves
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Keep units between you and him
Stay behind your minions or your frontline: the 4 bullets of each New Destiny (passive) auto can't pass through units.
- Hit him from outside his range
If you're ranged, hit him from a distance: his autos only reach 425, and New Destiny (passive) forces him to reload when his shotgun is empty.
- Get out of his smoke
Leave Smoke Screen (W) quickly rather than fighting inside it: the smoke slows you and cuts off all vision outside it.
- Drag the game out
If your team scales better over time, play for time: Graves is strongest in the early and mid game.
Other Viego matchups
Patch 16.21.1