Top · SwiftplayMatchup guidePatch 16.20.1
Build, runes, abilities and practical pre-game checks in one queue-aware reference.
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Role fit
TopVarusVarus is normally played Bot and does not currently have a reviewed Top route. Top usually needs independent laning, durable trading or reliable side-lane pressure. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.
These patches track recommendation review, build validation and item lookup separately. Updating item data does not complete a build review.
Unreviewed route
Varus is normally played Bot and does not currently have a reviewed Top route. Top usually needs independent laning, durable trading or reliable side-lane pressure. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.
A different lane's items are not relabelled as correct. Role income, map access and starting rules can change the whole purchase order.
Champion guide BotRunes and summoner spells
Use range to manage the wave and take measured trades without surrendering the escape route. Teleport supports the long solo lane.
Precision
Fleet Footwork
Presence of Mind
Legend: Alacrity
Cut Down
Resolve
Second Wind
Overgrowth
Flash
TeleportTeleport preserves recalls and side-lane access. Ignite is a deliberate pressure trade-off, not a universal upgrade.
Keep the defensive secondary runes when repeated poke or one committed trade can decide the lane.
Matchup notes
Track the cooldown and range of the ability that starts their safest trade. Do not treat this page as a statistical counter claim.
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 reference
Ability reference Data Dragon 16.20.1
Cooldown (s) / Cost / Listed range (units) Data Dragon 16.20.1
On kill or assist, Varus temporarily gains Attack Damage and Ability Power. This bonus is larger if the enemy is a champion.
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) 925Passive: 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) 750Varus 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) 925Varus 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) 1300Vex 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.
Launch a damaging missile that accelerates mid-flight.
Cooldown (s) 8/7/6/5/4 · Cost 45/50/55/60/65 · Listed range (units) 1200Gain a shield and damage nearby enemies.
Cooldown (s) 16/15/14/13/12 · Cost 75 · Listed range (units) 475Summon a damaging and slowing zone that applies Gloom to enemies.
Cooldown (s) 12 · Cost 70/80/90/100/110 · Listed range (units) 800Fire 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) 2000/2500/3000Adapt the plan
Judge the whole lane or map state, not only personal kills. Choose the situation closest to the current game.
Hold a favourable wave, pressure the enemy away from farm and keep enough vision to survive the second opponent.
Push before moving to an objective; arrive through a known route rather than giving up the wave and your shutdown.
Use the lead to occupy space for the team. Do not chase through the entire enemy formation for one target.
Keep health and minions balanced so one poor trade does not decide the lane.
Move after the wave is handled and communicate if the opposing Top laner leaves first.
Choose between front-line duty, side pressure and carry access according to the champion kit.
Farm near safety, avoid repeating the losing trade and ask for help only when the wave creates a realistic window.
Do not follow a stronger opponent through unseen river. Signal the move and recover guaranteed resources.
Contribute control or pressure to the nearest safe target instead of trying to repair the score alone.
Pings, movement and objectives
Manage the long lane before leaving it. A useful move begins with a handled wave, a visible route and a teammate who knows you are coming.
Pings create a shared plan; they do not replace checking waves, vision and who can move.
Push, catch or communicate the wave before leaving so the opponent does not gain a free move and free income.
Use On My Way for the route you are actually taking and Danger where an unseen opponent may arrive.
Move through controlled vision with the Jungler or another ally instead of face-checking the objective alone.
Decide whether you are engaging, front-lining, flanking or protecting a carry before the fight begins.
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
The matchup page is a pre-game reference. It does not predict the result or alter its recommendation from changing live match data.