Matchup

Xerath
Xerath
9%
91%

vs

45.6%

over 263 games

Jayce
Jayce
73%
27%
Heavy AD damageHeavy pokeHigh burstSustained DPS

Skill matchup

Build vs Jayce

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Dark Seal
1
Luden's Echo
2Mage
Horizon Focus
3Mage

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Shadowflame
5vs Tank

Summoner spells

41275%
42115%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Zhonya's Hourglass
5vs AD

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Banshee's Veil
5vs AP

Anti Tank

Shadowflame
5vs Tank
Stormsurge
vs Tank
Void Staff
vs Tank

DPS

Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage
Malignance
Mage
Blackfire Torch
Mage
Liandry's Torment
Mage tank
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
Mage tank

Other options

Mejai's Soulstealer
Oblivion Orb
Tear of the Goddess
100.0% WR3 games
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

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
XerathXerath
JayceJayce
Passive
Favorable
Favorable

Jayce's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Hextech Capacitor (P)

When Jayce swaps weapons he gains Move Speed for a short duration.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
316s10s20s
612s10s20s6s
98s10s20s6s
118s10s20s6s
168s10s16s6s
188s10s12s6s

Playing against Jayce

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Dodge his accelerated Q (through the gate): it's his only real poke and it hurts a lot.

2

Jayce scales poorly compared to most top laners — if you survive his laning phase, you'll be more useful in the late game.

3

In melee form, he's vulnerable to poke — force him to stay in melee with engages.

4

His melee E (knockback) can only be used once per switch — once he uses it, he loses his disengage.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 8, 2026