Zeri vs Varus
Skill matchup
Build vs Varus
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Zeri: Yun Tal Wildarrows, Runaan's Hurricane, Infinity Edge, Gluttonous Greaves, Lord Dominik's Regards, Stormrazor, B. F. Sword, Guardian Angel.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Varus's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
On kill or assist, Varus temporarily gains Attack Damage and Ability Power. This bonus is larger if the enemy is a champion.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 16s | 40s | 18s | – |
| 6 | 14s | 40s | 18s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 12s | 40s | 18s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 12s | 40s | 18s | 1m20 |
| 16 | 12s | 40s | 14s | 1m |
| 18 | 12s | 40s | 10s | 1m |
Playing as Zeri
Tips to maximize your impact
- Aim every Burst Fire
Aim each Burst Fire (Q): it's your main attack, reaching 700 range and hitting the first enemy in its line.
- Fire your laser at a wall
Aim Ultrashock Laser (W) at a wall: the pulse becomes an area laser that slows and critically strikes champions.
- Vault over walls
Aim Spark Surge (E) at a wall: you vault over it, much farther than with the dash alone, and your Burst Fire pierces for a few seconds afterward.
- Hit a champion, then back off
Cast Lightning Crash (R) near a champion: hitting them gives you attack speed and move speed, and each hit on a champion extends the effect. Attack while backing off.
Playing against Varus
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Back off with his Blight on you
Back off after taking a few autos: each one applies a Blight stack from Blighted Quiver (W), and his spells detonate them for damage based on your max health.
- Engage while he charges
If you can engage, go in while he charges Piercing Arrow (Q): charging slows him, and he has no dash to escape.
- Leave his hail of arrows
Get out of the Hail of Arrows (E) zone fast: the desecrated ground slows you and reduces the healing you receive.
- Spread out from the chained ally
When an ally is caught by Chain of Corruption (R), move away from them fast: the corruption spreads to nearby champions, but dies out if you get far enough in time.
Other Zeri matchups
Patch 16.21.1