Ziggs vs Xerath
Hard matchup
Build vs Xerath
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Ziggs: Luden's Echo, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Zhonya's Hourglass, Liandry's Torment, Blackfire Torch, Void Staff.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Xerath's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Xerath's basic attacks periodically restore Mana. Whenever Xerath kills a unit, this cooldown is reduced.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9s | 14s | 13s | – |
| 6 | 7s | 14s | 13s | 2m10 |
| 9 | 5s | 13s | 13s | 2m10 |
| 11 | 5s | 12s | 13s | 1m55 |
| 16 | 5s | 10s | 12s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 5s | 10s | 11s | 1m40 |
Playing as Ziggs
Tips to maximize your impact
- Poke with Bouncing Bomb
Poke with Bouncing Bomb (Q): its cooldown drops from 6 to 4 seconds, and a target slowed by Hexplosive Minefield (E) has a hard time dodging it.
- Launch yourself with your charge
Cast Satchel Charge (W) at your feet to escape or chase, even over a wall: the blast knocks you away without damaging you, and knocks back nearby enemies too.
- Join distant fights with your ult
Cast Mega Inferno Bomb (R) on a distant fight or a fleeing target: it reaches 5000 range, and the center of the blast deals more damage than the edge.
- Finish towers with your charge
Siege towers from range, then cast Satchel Charge (W) on a tower that's almost down: below a health threshold, it's destroyed instantly.
Playing against Xerath
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay behind your minions
Keep minions between you and Xerath: Shocking Orb (E) stuns the first enemy hit, for longer the farther it has traveled.
- Change direction
Don't stand still, and change direction often: Arcanopulse (Q) hits a target moving forward or backward in a straight line much more easily.
- Engage while he charges
If you can engage, go in while he charges Arcanopulse (Q): he slows down by up to 50%, and he has no dash to escape.
- Interrupt his Rite of the Arcane
If you have CC and can reach him during Rite of the Arcane (R), use it: he channels the ult, and interrupting it stops his shots.
Other Ziggs matchups
Patch 16.21.1