Xerath vs Hwei
Skill matchup
Build vs Hwei
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Xerath: Luden's Echo, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Horizon Focus, Dark Seal, Stormsurge, Mejai's Soulstealer.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Hwei's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Hwei primes enemy champions he damages with his abilities for his signature finishing touch.Hitting an enemy with a second damaging spell completes his signature, leaving it beneath them. The signature detonates after a short delay, dealing magic damage to all enemies in range.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 18s | 12s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 18s | 12s | 2m |
| 9 | 6s | 17.5s | 12s | 2m |
| 11 | 6s | 17s | 12s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 6s | 16s | 11s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 6s | 16s | 10s | 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 Hwei
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Trade after his damage spell
Trade after he uses a damage spell: Devastating Fire (QQ), Severing Bolt (QW) and Molten Fissure (QE) share a 10 to 6 second cooldown.
- Don't stand still or alone
Don't stand still or alone: Severing Bolt (QW) strikes after a delay and deals more damage to isolated or immobilized enemies.
- Jump on him if you can
If you can engage, jump on him right after one of his CC spells: Hwei has no dash or leap, and Subject: Torment (E) has a 12 to 10 second cooldown.
- Move away from the ally hit by his R
If an ally is hit by Spiraling Despair (R), move away from them: the vision expands around its target, slows and damages nearby enemies, then explodes.
Other Xerath matchups
Patch 16.21.1