Xerath vs Gwen
Build vs Gwen
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, Dark Seal, Stormsurge, Void Staff, Zhonya's Hourglass.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Gwen's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Gwen's attacks deal bonus magic damage based on the targets health. She heals for a portion of the damage dealt to champions by this effect.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 6.5s | 22s | 13s | – |
| 6 | 5s | 22s | 13s | 2m |
| 9 | 3.5s | 21s | 13s | 2m |
| 11 | 3.5s | 20s | 13s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 3.5s | 18s | 12s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 3.5s | 18s | 11s | 1m20 |
Playing as Xerath
Tips to maximize your impact
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Gwen
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Enter her mist or wait
To hit her during Hallowed Mist (W), walk into the mist or wait for it to fade: from outside, you can't target her.
- Trade before her 4 autos
Take short trades before she lands 4 autos: each one adds a snip to Snip Snip! (Q).
- Get out of her needles' path
Step out of the Needlework (R) line: she can recast it twice within 6 seconds, with three then five needles.
- Send two to answer her split
Answer her split push with two players rather than alone: A Thousand Cuts (passive) heals her on every auto against a champion.
Other Xerath matchups
Patch 16.21.1