Xerath vs Sona

Xerath
vs
Not enough games
Sona
Heavy AP damageHeavy pokeHeavy CCHigh sustain

Build vs Sona

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

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Luden's Echo
1
Shadowflame
2
Rabadon's Deathcap
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Void Staff
5

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Void Staff
Zhonya's Hourglass
Stormsurge

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Sona's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Power Chord (P)

Accelerando: Sona gains non-Ultimate ability haste permanently for her basic abilities as she uses her abilities well, up to a cap. Beyond that cap, further successful uses reduce her ultimate's remaining cooldown instead.Power Chord: Every few spell casts, Sona's next attack will deal bonus magic damage in addition to an additional effect based on what basic Ability Sona last activated.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
38s10s14s–
68s10s14s2m20
98s10s14s2m20
118s10s14s2m
168s10s14s1m40
188s10s14s1m40

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 Sona

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Don't count on your minions

    Don't count on your minions against Hymn of Valor (Q): it hits the two nearest enemies, champions first.

  2. Back off after her spells

    Back off when she has cast several spells: Power Chord (passive) empowers her next auto, which damages, weakens or slows you.

  3. Spread out from your allies

    Spread out from your allies against her: Crescendo (R) stuns every enemy it hits, and it's her only stun.

  4. Target her first

    If you can engage, target Sona first: she has no dash, and without her, her team loses its heals and shields.

Patch 16.21.1