Mid · Normal DraftMatchup chartPatch 16.20.1

Xerath vs Vex

Loadout, runes, tricks and practical pre-battle checks in one queue-aware reference.

Arrr, role fit

MidXerath

Xerath has an established central-course course wit' access to waves, both sides o' th' river and meaningful pressure betwixt prizes.

Arrr, established role

Old chart, mateyRecommendations await inspection

These patches keep recommendation review, build checks and item lookup on separate charts, matey. Fresh item data does not finish a build review.

Recommendations’ patch: 16.16 Data Dragon
Build check’s patch: 16.19.1 Data Dragon
Item lookup’s patch: 16.20.1 Data Dragon

Arrr, normal Draft · Mid

Arrr, evidence-supported Xerath Mid

Follow th' completed-gear order as a pre-battle reference. Components and owned gear do nay create extra inventory slots.

Arrr, established role

Draft / Ranked opening · separate from gear 1

Doran's Ring

400 doubloons

This be th' most-supported Draft/Ranked starting gear in th' frozen prior-patch public role snapshot, manually checked agin' Riot patch 26.17. Compare its durability, sustain and damage trade-off afore leaving base.

First aboard gear

Luden's Echo

2,750 doubloons

This gear be part o' th' most-supported coherent core in th' frozen prior-patch public role snapshot, manually checked agin' Riot patch 26.17. Treat th' sample as context, then adjust only fer a clearly identified matchup problem.

Boots

Sorcerer's Shoes

1,100 doubloons

This be th' most-supported Boots choice in th' frozen prior-patch public role snapshot, manually checked agin' Riot patch 26.17; change it when th' opposing damage or crowd control calls fer a different defence.

Core

Shadowflame

3,200 doubloons

Late

Rabadon's Deathcap

3,500 doubloons

Flexible

Void Staff

3,000 doubloons

Keep this reviewed late cargo after the prior-patch cross-check; move or trade it only when its named match trouble is aboard.

Arrr, repeated spell rotations

Cosmic Drive

3,000 doubloons

Completes th' six-gear inventory wit' movement speed and trick haste fer repeated late-battle spell rotations.

Shipshape loadout choices

Pick th' course afore play

Recommendations await inspection

AlternativeArrr, too much healingMorellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing be already deciding fights.

Spy full course

Arrr, best when: Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing be already deciding fights.

First aboard gearLuden's Echo
BootsSorcerer's Shoes
Morellonomicon
LateRabadon's Deathcap
FlexibleVoid Staff
Arrr, repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

AlternativeArrr, they burst meArrr, zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

Spy full course

Arrr, best when: Arrr, zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

First aboard gearLuden's Echo
BootsSorcerer's Shoes
Zhonya's Hourglass
LateRabadon's Deathcap
FlexibleVoid Staff
Arrr, repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

AlternativeArrr, one spell stops meBanshee's spell shield can protect th' first aboard fit fer th' captain's eye cast agin' ye.

Spy full course

Arrr, best when: Banshee's spell shield can protect th' first aboard fit fer th' captain's eye cast agin' ye.

First aboard gearLuden's Echo
BootsSorcerer's Shoes
CoreShadowflame
Banshee's Veil
FlexibleVoid Staff
Arrr, repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Arrr, runes and summoner spells

Arrr, runes and summoner spellsXerathMid

Control Mid range, mana and wave timing afore committing to a longer exchange or roam.

Normal Draft, matey

Arrr, primary tree

Sorcery

Arcane Comet

Manaflow Band

Transcendence

Scorch

Arrr, secondary tree

Inspiration

Biscuit Delivery

Cosmic Insight

Arrr, summoner spells

Flash

Teleport

Pick pressure or recovery

Ignite supports a short kill window; Teleport supports recall and sea chart timing; Barrier protects agin' immediate burst.

Protect th' wave course

A more booty aggressive spell pair does nay replace seaworthy wave timing, river vision or an escape course.

Arrr, matchup notes

What changes when Vex is opposite you?

Pre-battle kit comparison

Arrr, reviewed interaction

Arrr, range advantage

Long-range wave clear th' deck and poke force Vex to cross open space afore she can use her belay control tools.

Arrr, mid to late

Control and protection become clearer once teams group 'round prizes and carries need a front line.

Yer course

Use th' course ye prepared

Treat Vex as one part o' th' sea chart state. Their Jungler, nigh th' ship waves and which teammates can move determine whether th' same trade or rotation be seaworthy.

Trick reminders

Xerath reminders

It's easier to land Arcanopulse on an foe when they're moving toward or astern from ye, rather than side to side.
Eye of Destruction will make landing Arcanopulse easier as th' target will be slowed.
If ye stun an foe wit' Shocking Orb, follow up wit' a promised center hit on Eye of Destruction.

Arrr, static alternatives

Compare th' problem afore changing th' course

These choices be nay picked from live scores. Use one only after ye identify th' stated clash problem yourself.

Arrr, Only when enemy healing is deciding fights

Oblivion Orb

Arrr, Oblivion Orb supplies healing reduction without committing to a completed Morellonomicon. Skip both when healing is not the problem or an ally already covers your target reliably. Healing reduction does not reduce shields.

Arrr, Conditional component, not a core item. Complete Morellonomicon only when its stats and slot efficiency justify delaying another purchase.

Arrr, they burst me

Zhonya's Hourglass

Arrr, zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

Arrr, one spell stops me

Banshee's Veil

Banshee's spell shield can protect th' first aboard fit fer th' captain's eye cast agin' ye.

Trick reference

Arrr, compare both kits

Trick reference Data Dragon 16.20.1

Cooldown / Cost / Range Data Dragon 16.20.1

Xerath

P
Mana Surge
Mana Surge be th' always-on rule shaping Xerath's normal trading and fight pattern. Watch its in-battle state afore committing.
Q
Arcanopulse
Arcanopulse be a ranged cast involving damage. Respect its line or target area, and avoid spending it when th' foe can simply step astern afore th' fit fer th' captain's eye exchange.
Cooldown 9/8/7/6/5 · Cost 80/90/100/110/120 · Arrr, listed range 750
W
Eye of Destruction
Eye of Destruction contributes a slowing effect and damage. Its value changes wit' cooldown, range and target access; recognise th' setup afore moving into its effective area.
Cooldown 14/13/12/11/10 · Cost 80/90/100/110/120 · Arrr, listed range 1000
E
Shocking Orb
Shocking Orb contributes damage. Its value changes wit' cooldown, range and target access; recognise th' setup afore moving into its effective area.
Cooldown 13/12.5/12/11.5/11 · Cost 60/65/70/75/80 · Arrr, listed range 1050
R
Rite of the Arcane
Rite of the Arcane be part o' Xerath's R pattern. Read its listed effect first aboard, then track th' cooldown and condition that make th' next aboard use valuable.
Cooldown 130/115/100 · Cost 100 · Arrr, listed range 5000

Vex

P
Doom 'n Gloom
Doom 'n Gloom be an automatic part o' th' kit involving hard crowd control and damage. Track when its condition be active instead o' treating every fight th' same way.
Q
Mistral Bolt
Mistral Bolt be a ranged cast involving its listed effect. Respect its line or target area, and avoid spending it when th' foe can simply step astern afore th' fit fer th' captain's eye exchange.
Cooldown 8/7/6/5/4 · Cost 45/50/55/60/65 · Arrr, listed range 1200
W
Personal Space
Personal Space contributes protection or sustain and damage. Its value changes wit' cooldown, range and target access; recognise th' setup afore moving into its effective area.
Cooldown 16/15/14/13/12 · Cost 75 · Arrr, listed range 475
E
Looming Darkness
Looming Darkness creates setup or area pressure. Place it where th' foe must choose betwixt entering its space, changing course or giving up th' immediate contest.
Cooldown 12 · Cost 70/80/90/100/110 · Arrr, listed range 800
R
Shadow Surge
Shadow Surge be a ranged cast involving movement or repositioning and damage. Respect its line or target area, and avoid spending it when th' foe can simply step astern afore th' fit fer th' captain's eye exchange.
Cooldown 140/120/100 · Cost 100 · Arrr, listed range 2000/2500/3000

Adapt th' course

What to do when th' battle changes

Judge th' whole course or sea chart state, nay only personal kills. Pick th' situation closest to th' present battle.

Even course

Manage th' wave and keep both sides o' th' sea chart visible

Course

Trade when yer key trick and minion position favour ye; an even course does nay require a forced solo kill.

Sea chart play

Move on a completed wave and return afore several waves be lost to th' tower.

Fights

Position fer th' champion's reliable damage or control instead o' beginning wit' th' lowest-percentage spell.

Pings, movement and prizes

Xerath Mid sea chart course

Mid can reach either side, but th' wave pays fer every move. Communicate th' foe first aboard, then move only when th' course and destination be credible.

Ahead

Use priority to arrive first aboard, nay recklessly

Ping: Ping Foe Lost overboard when th' foe leaves, On Me Way afore entering river and Peril on th' course th' foe may use.
Arrr, stay or roam: Roam after clearing th' wave and choose th' side where crewmates can participate. Return afore several waves be lost.
Prize: Reach river wit' th' Jungler, control one entrance and preserve th' spell that stops an foe engage or secures th' first aboard target.

Even

Turn one managed wave into sea chart pressure

Ping: Use Foe Lost overboard immediately, then On Me Way only when ye be genuinely moving rather than considering it.
Arrr, stay or roam: Move after th' wave be handled. If following requires entering fog alone, ping Peril and take th' seaworthy course instead.
Prize: Lend a hand establish river vision afore th' set sail. Do nay burn th' only control spell on poke if it be needed to protect th' entrance.

Behind

Clear th' deck safely and warn both side lanes

Ping: Ping Foe Lost overboard early and repeat Peril on th' threatened side. Use Retreat if matching th' roam would expose ye to another kill.
Arrr, stay or roam: Arrr, follow through established vision or remain Mid and recover farm. A late blind follow often loses both positions.
Prize: Approach astern o' th' front line and use reliable control or range. Trade th' prize if th' crew cannae safely enter river.

Prize setup

Arrr, four calls, in order

Pings create a shared course; they do nay replace checking waves, vision and who can move.

1
Handle th' wave
Push, catch or communicate th' wave afore leaving so th' foe does nay gain a free move and free income.
2
Signal th' course
Use On Me Way fer th' course ye be actually taking and Peril where an unseen foe may arrive.
3
Arrr, enter together
Move through controlled vision wit' th' Jungler or another ally instead o' face-checking th' prize alone.
4
Pick th' job
Decide whether ye be engaging, front-lining, flanking or protecting a carry afore th' fight begins.

Later prizes: Repeat th' same process 'round later major prizes: handle nigh th' ship income, communicate th' course, enter through vision and agree on th' fight afore committing.

Arrr, keep preparing

Use th' champion chart or choose another foe

Th' matchup chart be a pre-battle reference. It does nay predict th' result or alter its recommendation from changing live clash data.

Unfurl full loadout Arrr, compare counter options

Xerath vs Vex

Pick th' matchup

MidXerath