Xerath vs Leona
Build vs Leona
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, Void Staff, Zhonya's Hourglass, Stormsurge.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Leona's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Damaging spells afflict enemies with Sunlight for 1.5 seconds. When allied Champions deal damage to those targets, they consume the Sunlight to deal additional magic damage.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5s | 14s | 12s | – |
| 6 | 5s | 14s | 12s | 1m30 |
| 9 | 5s | 13s | 12s | 1m30 |
| 11 | 5s | 12s | 12s | 1m15 |
| 16 | 5s | 10s | 9s | 1m |
| 18 | 5s | 10s | 6s | 1m |
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 Leona
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Respect her level 2
Back off if she reaches level 2 before you: Zenith Blade (E) then Shield of Daybreak (Q) root you, then stun you.
- Trade after her E
Trade right after Zenith Blade (E): it's her only dash to engage, and it has a 12 to 6 second cooldown.
- Don't line up with an ally
Don't stand in line with an ally when facing her: Zenith Blade (E) damages every enemy in its path and roots the last champion hit.
- Save your answer for her engage
If you have a knockback or a cleanse, save it for her engage: her whole combo relies on Zenith Blade (E) followed by a stun.
- Get out of the center of her R
When Solar Flare (R) lands, get out of the center: it stuns, while the edge only slows.
Other Xerath matchups
Patch 16.21.1