Xerath vs Kai'Sa

Xerath
vs
Not enough games
Kai'Sa
Sustained DPSHigh burstHeavy AP damageHeavy AD damage

Build vs Kai'Sa

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Xerath: Luden's Echo, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Stormsurge, Mejai's Soulstealer, Dark Seal, 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
Stormsurge
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport70%
FlashBarrier20%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Stormsurge
Mejai's Soulstealer
Dark Seal
Zhonya's Hourglass
Horizon Focus
Malignance
Void Staff
Seeker's Armguard
Blackfire Torch
50.0% WR10 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

Kai'Sa's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Second Skin (P)

Kai'Sa's basic attacks stack Plasma, dealing increasing bonus magic damage. Allies' immobilizing effects help stack Plasma. Additionally, Kai'Sa's item purchases upgrade her basic spells to have more powerful properties.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s20s16s–
68s20s16s2m10
96s18.5s16s2m10
116s17s16s1m40
166s14s13s1m10
186s14s10s1m10

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 Kai'Sa

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Stay near your minions

    Stay near your minions: Icathian Rain (Q) splits its missiles between nearby enemies, and on your own, you take them all.

  2. Harass her before she evolves

    If your attack range beats her 525 units, harass her early: Second Skin (passive) only evolves her spells as she buys items.

  3. Dodge her Void Seeker

    Dodge Void Seeker (W): it marks you with Plasma and reveals you, which lets Killer Instinct (R) dash onto you from very far away.

Patch 16.21.1