Xerath vs Vex
Skill matchup
Build vs Vex
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Xerath: Luden's Echo, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Dark Seal, Horizon Focus, Stormsurge, Mejai's Soulstealer.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Vex's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Vex periodically becomes empowered, causing her next basic Ability to fear enemies and interrupt dashes. Whenever a nearby enemy dashes, Vex applies a mark that can be consumed for bonus damage that also reduces the cooldown of her empowered state.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8s | 16s | 12s | – |
| 6 | 6s | 16s | 12s | 2m20 |
| 9 | 4s | 15s | 12s | 2m20 |
| 11 | 4s | 14s | 12s | 2m |
| 16 | 4s | 12s | 12s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 4s | 12s | 12s | 1m40 |
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 Vex
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Dodge her mist early
Get out of the line of Mistral Bolt (Q) early: after a short delay, the mist narrows but speeds up.
- No dashes near her
If you have a dash, avoid using it near her: it marks you with Gloom, and if Doom 'n Gloom (passive) is ready, her next spell interrupts it and fears you.
- Trade after her fear
Start a trade right after she fears someone: her next spell empowered by Doom 'n Gloom (passive) then takes a while to come back.
- Dodge her Shadow
Get out of the path of Shadow Surge (R): Vex can only dash to the first champion hit by Shadow.
Other Xerath matchups
Patch 16.21.1