Xerath vs Nautilus

Xerath
vs
Not enough games
Nautilus
Heavy CCStrong engageHeavy AP damageVery tanky

Build vs Nautilus

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, Stormsurge, Dark Seal, Void Staff, 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

FlashHaste50%
FlashBarrier33%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Stormsurge
Dark Seal
Void Staff
Zhonya's Hourglass
InspirationInspiration
First StrikeFirst Strike
Magical FootwearMagical Footwear
Biscuit DeliveryBiscuit Delivery
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
SorcerySorcery
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
ScorchScorch
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Nautilus's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Staggering Blow (P)

Nautilus' first Attack against a target deals increased physical damage and roots them briefly.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
314s12s7s–
612s12s7s2m
910s12s7s2m
1110s12s7s1m40
1610s12s6s1m20
1810s12s5s1m20

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 Nautilus

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Stay behind your minions

    Once he hits level 2, stay behind your minions: the Dredge Line (Q) anchor hooks the first enemy hit, then the Staggering Blow (passive) auto keeps you in place.

  2. Hold still against Riptide

    When he casts Riptide (E) near you, stay put until it ends: its three explosions spread out around him, and running too early makes you take the next ones and their slow.

  3. Back off after his anchor

    When Dredge Line (Q) misses you, keep your distance: it's his only spell to reach you, on a 14 to 10 second cooldown.

  4. Get out of his shockwave's path

    When he aims Depth Charge (R) at an ally, don't stand between them: the shockwave chases its target, and every enemy in its path takes a knock-up.

Patch 16.21.1