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Bot · Normal DraftMatchup guidePatch 16.20.1

Varus vs Vex

Build, runes, abilities and practical pre-game checks in one queue-aware reference.

VarusVSVex

Matchup guide

Choose the matchup

Search every champion, choose the assigned role, then open the exact queue page.

VS
Role
Selected laneBot

Choose two champions from the list.

Role fit

BotVarus

Varus has an established Bot carry plan that can scale through shared-lane farm and work with a Support partner.

Primary role
Historical referenceRecommendation review pending

These patches track recommendation review, build validation and item lookup separately. Updating item data does not complete a build review.

Recommendation patch
16.16 Data Dragon
Build validation patch
16.19.1 Data Dragon
Item lookup patch
16.20.1 Data Dragon

Normal Draft · Bot

On-hit marksman

Follow the completed-item order as a pre-game reference. Components and owned items do not create extra inventory slots.

Primary role
S
Draft / Ranked opening · separate from item 1

Doran's Bow

400 gold

This is the most-supported Draft/Ranked starting item in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Compare its durability, sustain and damage trade-off before leaving base.

1
First item

Statikk Shiv

3,000 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

2
Boots

Berserker's Greaves

1,100 gold

This is the most-supported Boots choice in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot; change it when the opposing damage or crowd control calls for a different defence.

3
On-hit core

Guinsoo's Rageblade

3,000 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

4
Second core

Terminus

3,000 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

5
Flexible defence

Bloodthirster

3,400 gold

Completes the six-item inventory with high attack damage and sustain for extended late fights.

6
Attack speed and safety

Phantom Dancer

2,650 gold

Move through units.

Complete build choices

Choose the route before play

Recommendation review pending

AlternativeToo much healingMorellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.View full route

Best when: Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.

  1. First itemStatikk Shiv
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. Second coreTerminus
  5. Flexible defenceBloodthirster
  6. Attack speed and safetyPhantom Dancer
AlternativeThey burst meZhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.View full route

Best when: Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

  1. First itemStatikk Shiv
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. Zhonya's Hourglass
  4. Second coreTerminus
  5. Flexible defenceBloodthirster
  6. Attack speed and safetyPhantom Dancer
AlternativeOne spell stops meBanshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.View full route

Best when: Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

  1. First itemStatikk Shiv
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. On-hit coreGuinsoo's Rageblade
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. Flexible defenceBloodthirster
  6. Attack speed and safetyPhantom Dancer
AlternativeThey stack magic resistVoid Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.View full route

Best when: Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

  1. First itemStatikk Shiv
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. On-hit coreGuinsoo's Rageblade
  4. Void Staff
  5. Flexible defenceBloodthirster
  6. Attack speed and safetyPhantom Dancer

Complete build comparison

Complete build comparison

Recommendation review pending

Build review neededOn-hit marksmanRecommendation review pendingView full route

Recommendation review pending

  1. First itemStatikk Shiv
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. On-hit coreGuinsoo's Rageblade
  4. Second coreTerminus
  5. Flexible defenceBloodthirster
  6. Attack speed and safetyPhantom Dancer
AlternativeToo much healingMorellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.View full route

Best when: Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.

  1. First itemStatikk Shiv
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. Second coreTerminus
  5. Flexible defenceBloodthirster
  6. Attack speed and safetyPhantom Dancer
AlternativeThey burst meZhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.View full route

Best when: Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

  1. First itemStatikk Shiv
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. Zhonya's Hourglass
  4. Second coreTerminus
  5. Flexible defenceBloodthirster
  6. Attack speed and safetyPhantom Dancer
AlternativeOne spell stops meBanshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.View full route

Best when: Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

  1. First itemStatikk Shiv
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. On-hit coreGuinsoo's Rageblade
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. Flexible defenceBloodthirster
  6. Attack speed and safetyPhantom Dancer
AlternativeThey stack magic resistVoid Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.View full route

Best when: Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

  1. First itemStatikk Shiv
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. On-hit coreGuinsoo's Rageblade
  4. Void Staff
  5. Flexible defenceBloodthirster
  6. Attack speed and safetyPhantom Dancer

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsVarusBot

Preserve firing space and turn longer fights into sustained damage.

Normal Draft
Primary tree

Precision

Lethal TempoPresence of MindLegend: AlacrityCut Down
Secondary tree

Sorcery

CelerityGathering Storm
Summoner spells
FlashBarrier
Coordinate the Support

Avoid duplicating the same defensive spell without a reason. Barrier protects the user; Heal can protect both nearby lane partners.

Cleanse is specific

Choose Cleanse only when removable crowd control is the lane or fight problem and you can use it reliably.

Matchup notes

What changes when Vex is opposite you?

Pre-game kit comparison
Kit comparison

Respect the opponent's reliable threat

Track the cooldown and range of the ability that starts their safest trade. Do not treat this page as a statistical counter claim.

Your plan

Use the route you prepared

Treat Vex as one part of the map state. Their Jungler, nearby waves and which teammates can move determine whether the same trade or rotation is safe.

Ability reminders

Varus reminders

  • An early point in Blighted Quiver helps harass enemy champions and get killing blows on minions.
  • During short range fights it's sometimes best to fire Piercing Arrow quickly, rather than charging it to full power.
  • Try to take advantage of Piercing Arrow's very long range to snipe at enemy champions before a fight or as they're trying to flee.

Static alternatives

Compare the problem before changing the plan

These choices are not selected from live scores. Use one only after you identify the stated match problem yourself.

Too much healing

Morellonomicon

Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.

They burst me

Zhonya's Hourglass

Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

One spell stops me

Banshee's Veil

Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

They stack magic resist

Void Staff

Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

Ability reference

Compare both kits

Ability reference Data Dragon 16.20.1

Cooldown (s) / Cost / Listed range (units) Data Dragon 16.20.1

Varus

  1. P
    Living Vengeance

    On kill or assist, Varus temporarily gains Attack Damage and Ability Power. This bonus is larger if the enemy is a champion.

  2. Q
    Piercing Arrow

    Varus readies and then fires a powerful shot that gains extra range and damage the longer he spends preparing to fire.

    Range changes as this ability charges. Check the current ability tooltip; the listed value is not its full range.

    Cooldown (s) 16/15/14/13/12 · Cost 50/55/60/65/70 · Listed range (units) 925
  3. W
    Blighted Quiver

    Passive: Varus' basic attacks deal bonus magic damage and apply Blight. Varus' other abilities detonate Blight, dealing magic damage based on the target's maximum Health. Active: Varus empowers his next Piercing Arrow.

    Cooldown (s) 40 · Listed range (units) 750
  4. E
    Hail of Arrows

    Varus fires a hail of arrows that deal physical damage and desecrate the ground. Desecrated ground slows enemies' Move Speed and reduces their self healing and regeneration.

    Cooldown (s) 18/16/14/12/10 · Cost 90 · Listed range (units) 925
  5. R
    Chain of Corruption

    Varus flings out a damaging tendril of corruption that immobilizes the first enemy champion hit and then spreads towards nearby uninfected champions, immobilizing them too on contact.

    Cooldown (s) 100/80/60 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 1300

Vex

  1. P
    Doom 'n Gloom

    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.

  2. Q
    Mistral Bolt

    Launch a damaging missile that accelerates mid-flight.

    Cooldown (s) 8/7/6/5/4 · Cost 45/50/55/60/65 · Listed range (units) 1200
  3. W
    Personal Space

    Gain a shield and damage nearby enemies.

    Cooldown (s) 16/15/14/13/12 · Cost 75 · Listed range (units) 475
  4. E
    Looming Darkness

    Summon a damaging and slowing zone that applies Gloom to enemies.

    Cooldown (s) 12 · Cost 70/80/90/100/110 · Listed range (units) 800
  5. R
    Shadow Surge

    Fire a missile that marks an enemy champion. Recast to dash to them and deal damage.

    Cooldown (s) 140/120/100 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 2000/2500/3000

Adapt the plan

What to do when the game changes

Judge the whole lane or map state, not only personal kills. Choose the situation closest to the current game.

Even plan

Prioritise farm, spacing and coordination with Support

1
Lane

Match the opposing carry's income and trade when both lane partners can participate.

2
Map play

Finish the wave before rotating unless the fight is immediate and clearly reachable.

3
Fights

Stand behind allied control and build damage on reachable targets before stepping toward the back line.

Pings, movement and objectives

Varus Bot map plan

Protect income and coordinate with Support. Your movement should follow the wave, while your pings make target choice and danger clear before the fight begins.

Ahead

Carry the lead into the next safe fight

Ping
Use Target on the reachable opponent, Danger when Support or Jungle is too far away, and On My Way after the wave is secured.
Farm or rotate
Finish the wave, recall on the item timing and rotate with protection. Do not cross river alone to save a few seconds.
Objective
Attack from the safe side of the objective and keep damaging the nearest reachable threat. Preserving the shutdown matters more than chasing.
Even

Build the item timing and move together

Ping
Use Target to align with Support, Enemy Missing when either Bot opponent leaves and Danger if an engage begins outside your safe range.
Farm or rotate
Rotate after the wave or when the objective fight is immediate and reachable. Communicate if staying for the wave is the safer call.
Objective
Enter behind vision and allied control. Keep a route away from the enemy engage before starting sustained damage.
Behind

Shorten exposure and recover guaranteed gold

Ping
Use Retreat before Support or Jungle forces a fight you cannot damage, and Enemy Missing as soon as the winning Bot lane leaves.
Farm or rotate
Avoid being first into river. Move with Support after the safe wave, or trade an unsafe objective for protected farm.
Objective
Stand beside peel and attack whoever enters safe range. Do not cross enemy control to reach the opposing carry.
Objective setup

Four calls, in order

Pings create a shared plan; they do not replace checking waves, vision and who can move.

  1. 1
    Secure the wave

    Finish safe farm and communicate the recall or move before the objective setup begins.

  2. 2
    Enter protected

    Walk with Support or another ally and choose the side where enemy engage cannot reach you first.

  3. 3
    Set attack space

    Keep an exit route and identify the nearest target you can damage without crossing enemy control.

  4. 4
    Stay alive

    Continue useful damage without chasing away from the objective or donating a shutdown.

Later objectives: Repeat the same process around later major objectives: handle nearby income, communicate the route, enter through vision and agree on the fight before committing.

Keep preparing

Use the champion page or choose another opponent

The matchup page is a pre-game reference. It does not predict the result or alter its recommendation from changing live match data.

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