Xerath vs Caitlyn

Xerath
vs
Not enough games
Caitlyn
Heavy AD damageSustained DPSHeavy pokeHigh burst

Build vs Caitlyn

The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup

Recommended items for Xerath: Luden's Echo, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Mejai's Soulstealer, Dark Seal, Void Staff, Zhonya's Hourglass.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Luden's Echo
1
Shadowflame
2
Rabadon's Deathcap
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Mejai's Soulstealer
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport81%
FlashBarrier19%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Mejai's Soulstealer
Dark Seal
Void Staff
Zhonya's Hourglass
Stormsurge
SorcerySorcery
Arcane CometArcane Comet
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
PrecisionPrecision
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Coup de GraceCoup de Grace
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Caitlyn's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Headshot (P)

Every few basic attacks, or against a target she has trapped or netted, Caitlyn will fire a headshot dealing bonus damage that scales with her critical strike chance. On trapped or netted targets, Caitlyn's Headshot attack range is doubled.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s0.5s16s–
68s0.5s16s1m30
96s0.5s16s1m30
116s0.5s16s1m30
166s0.5s12s1m30
186s0.5s8s1m30

Playing as Xerath

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Charge Arcanopulse to poke from range

    Charge Arcanopulse (Q) to poke from long range: its range grows with the charge, but you slow down by up to 50% in the meantime.

  2. Slow before your Arcanopulse

    Slow your target with Eye of Destruction (W) before Arcanopulse (Q): the center of the zone slows the most, and a slowed target dodges poorly.

  3. Stun, then center your Eye

    Land Shocking Orb (E), then center Eye of Destruction (W) on the target: stunned, they can't dodge it, and the center slows the most.

  4. Finish from long range with your ult

    Cast Rite of the Arcane (R) to finish a fleeing target or support a distant fight: your shots reach 5000 range, with bonus damage per champion hit.

Playing against Caitlyn

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Don't stay in her range

    Don't stay in her range for no reason: her autos reach 650, and every few autos, Headshot (passive) hits harder.

  2. Walk around her traps

    Walk around her traps: stepping on a Yordle Snap Trap (W) roots you, reveals you for 3 seconds and gives her a double-range Headshot (passive).

  3. Engage after her net

    If you can engage, wait for her 90 Caliber Net (E): it's her only way to hop backward, on a 16 to 8 second cooldown.

  4. Cover your wounded ally

    If a wounded ally is targeted by Ace in the Hole (R), step into the line of fire: any champion on your team can intercept the bullet.

Patch 16.21.1