Zyra vs Graves
Skill matchup
You are stronger early. Look to snowball before your opponent scales.
Build vs Graves
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Zyra: Liandry's Torment, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Dark Seal, Rabadon's Deathcap, Blackfire Torch.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Graves's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Graves' shotgun has some unique properties. He must reload when he runs out of ammo. Attacks fire 4 bullets, which cannot pass through units. Non-champions struck by multiple bullets are knocked back.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 13s | 26s | 16s | – |
| 6 | 9.5s | 26s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 6s | 24s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 6s | 22s | 16s | 1m20 |
| 16 | 6s | 18s | 14s | 1m |
| 18 | 6s | 18s | 12s | 1m |
Playing as Zyra
Tips to maximize your impact
- Grow the right plant
Cast your spells on Garden of Thorns (passive) seeds: Deadly Spines (Q) grows a Thorn Spitter that fires at 575 range, Grasping Roots (E) a Vine Lasher that slows.
- Seed the path of your spell
Cast Grasping Roots (E), then right away place a seed in its path with Rampant Growth (W): the target is rooted, and the plant that grows hits them.
- Enrage your plants
Cast Stranglethorns (R) on your plants in the middle of the fight: enemies are knocked into the air 2 seconds later, and your plants, renewed, gain health and damage.
- Seed the brushes
Place seeds with Rampant Growth (W) in brushes and near objectives: a champion who steps on one is revealed, and you can grow a plant there.
Playing against Graves
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Keep units between you and him
Stay behind your minions or your frontline: the 4 bullets of each New Destiny (passive) auto can't pass through units.
- Hit him from outside his range
If you're ranged, hit him from a distance: his autos only reach 425, and New Destiny (passive) forces him to reload when his shotgun is empty.
- Get out of his smoke
Leave Smoke Screen (W) quickly rather than fighting inside it: the smoke slows you and cuts off all vision outside it.
- Drag the game out
If your team scales better over time, play for time: Graves is strongest in the early and mid game.
Other Zyra matchups
Patch 16.21.1