If you like the idea of blasting enemies from afar with some serious magic power, then Xerath is your go-to champion. Whether you're holding down the fort in the middle of the map or lending a hand as support, Xerath's abilities make him a force to be reckoned with. Here is everything you need to know about Xerath!

Xerath abilities in League of Legends

Here are all of the Xerath abilities in League of Legends:

PASSIVE: MANA SURGE

Xerath's basic attacks periodically restore Mana. Whenever Xerath kills a unit, this cooldown is reduced.

Each basic attack restores mana, allowing you to weave them between abilities for sustained damage and mana management.

Q: ARCANOPULSE

Fires a long-range beam of energy, dealing magic damage to all targets hit.

Use it to poke enemies from afar, secure last hits, and zone opponents.

W: EYE OF DESTRUCTION

Calls down a barrage of arcane energy, slowing and dealing magic damage to all enemies in an area. Targets in the middle receive additional damage and a stronger slow.

Summons an orbiting eye that deals magic damage over time in a zone. Enemies in the center take additional damage and are slowed. Use it to zone enemies, control objectives, and amplify your poke damage.

E: SHOCKING ORB

Deals magic damage to an enemy and stuns them.

Throws a magical orb that deals magic damage and stuns the first enemy hit. 

R: RITE OF THE ARCANE

Xerath immobilizes himself and gains numerous long-range barrages. Use it to initiate fights, lock down key targets, or escape ganks. Remember, the stun only applies if the orb hits directly.

Channels for a short duration, firing a massive beam that deals magic damage based on the channel time. Position yourself safely and unleash this ultimate to melt enemies from afar or secure kills. Remember, it can be interrupted by crowd control.

Xerath guide: How to play mid

Xerath, the Ascended Magus, reigns supreme in the mid lane, unleashing arcane fury from afar and controlling the battlefield strategically. Here's your guide to unlocking his full potential:

Runes

Primary

• Domination: For aggressive play, choose Electrocute for burst damage or Dark Harvest for scaling.
• Sorcery: For safer poke, opt for Arcane Comet or Summon Aery.
• Secondary: Inspiration (Biscuit Delivery, Cosmic Insight) or Precision (Presence of Mind, Coup de Grace) are popular choices.

Summoner Spells

• Flash is essential for escapes and outplays.
• Teleport helps with map pressure and securing objectives.
• Barrier or Ignite can be situational choices.

Early Game

• Focus on farming and poking with Q and W. Manage your mana efficiently with the passive.
• Look for opportunities to land E stuns and secure kills with Q and W combos.
• Ward enemy jungle entrances to avoid ganks.
• Shove the wave and roam for ganks or objective control when safe.

Mid Game

• Continue to poke and pressure enemy laner and roam whenever possible.
• Participate in teamfights using your long-range spells to deal damage and zone enemies.
• Focus on key targets with E stuns and R ultimate for maximum impact.
• Position yourself safely in the backline to avoid getting caught.

Late Game

• You become a siege weapon, using your ultimate to melt objectives from afar.
• Continue to pressure side lanes and participate in teamfights strategically.
• Be mindful of positioning and self-peel, as you are squishy.

Mastering Xerath

• Practice landing skillshots, especially E stun, for successful combos.
• Understand wave management to control lane pressure and roam effectively.
• Adapt your build based on enemy composition (magic resist items against heavy AP).
• Communicate with your team to coordinate ganks, objectives, and teamfights.

Remember:

• Positioning is Key: As a long-range mage, staying safe in the backline is crucial to maximize your damage output and avoid getting caught.
• Poke Master: Utilize your Q and W to harass enemies in lane and secure last hits. Control the battlefield with your zone control abilities.
• Combo Time: Use E to stun, followed by Q and W for maximum burst damage. Remember to weave auto-attacks in between.
• Ultimate Timing: Unleash your R strategically for maximum impact, often during teamfights or to secure kills. Be aware of potential interrupts.

Xerath guide: How to play support

While Xerath isn't traditionally considered a support champion, some players do enjoy experimenting with him in that role. Here's a breakdown of how to approach playing Xerath support, keeping in mind it's not the standard pick:

Strengths

• Poke and Zone Control: Your long-range Q and W abilities let you harass enemies from afar and control zones in the bot lane, helping protect your ADC.
• Strong Laning Phase: Your poke can pressure enemy champions and push the wave, potentially creating opportunities for ganks or favorable trades.
• Utility and Disruption: Your E stun and R ultimate offer disruption potential in teamfights, potentially turning the tide of a battle.

Weaknesses

• Fragile: Lacking traditional support tankiness, you're vulnerable to ganks and all-ins.
• Mana Intensive: You require good mana management, as frequent spell usage can deplete your resources quickly.
• Limited Sustain: Xerath doesn't offer traditional healing or shielding for your ADC.
• Synergy Concerns: Not all ADCs synergize well with Xerath's poke-focused playstyle.

Items and Runes

• Items: Adapt your build based on enemy composition and team needs. Consider items like Luden's Echo, Liandry's Anguish, and Ardent Censer. Support items like Mikael's Crucible and Redemption can still be valuable additions.
• Runes: Look for rune paths that enhance your poke and utility, like Domination (Electrocute or Comet) or Sorcery (Arcane Comet or Summon Aery).

Gameplay Tips

• Play Aggressively: Utilize your poke to pressure enemies and zone them away from farm. Look for opportunities to land stuns and secure kills with your ultimate.
• Protect Your ADC: While prioritizing damage, remember your role in supporting your ADC. Position yourself defensively and use abilities like E to peel for them in ganks.
• Roam Efficiently: Look for opportunities to roam mid or jungle to secure scuttle crabs or gank other lanes. Be mindful of leaving your ADC exposed.
• Communicate with Your Team: Coordinate with your ADC and jungle for ganks and plays. Inform them of your mana limitations and cooldowns.

Remember

Playing Xerath support is an unconventional, challenging approach. Success requires strong positioning, mana management, and adaptation to team composition. Consider using him in normals or flex queue before ranked play. Practice mastering his abilities and combos to maximize your impact.

Xerath voice lines

Xerath says some cool things in the game, like "The world may crumble, but I shall remain," showing he's a tough guy. These lines make playing him feel more real and fun. Here are some of the Xerath voice lines:

• "Renekton, show them your hatred!"
• "The world may crumble, but I shall remain."
• "The affairs of mortals are beneath me."
• "I see the forces that hold the universe together."
• "The world forgot me. Now, they will remember!"
• "I am power incarnate! Who dares oppose me?"
• "Azir, at long last, we will see what power you truly possess."
• "This time, Azir, I will need no surprise to topple you!"
• "Nasus, the loyal pup, ever nipping at my heels."
• "You shall bear witness to the only true Ascended this day."
• "Lightning bolt! Lightning bolt! Lightning bolt! Lightning bolt! Lightning bolt! Lightning
• "Primitive magic shall not best me."

Xerath voice actor

The person who gave Xerath his voice was Michael McConnohie. He's done a lot of voice work for games and shows, and his voice fits Xerath perfectly, making him sound powerful and majestic.

Is Xerath a bad guy?

Xerath is seen as a villain because he betrayed his closest friend, Azir. At first, he worked as Azir’s servant and wanted freedom for all slaves. But over time, he became more interested in gaining power. When Azir tried to help him ascend into a god-like form, Xerath killed him and took that power for himself. After this, he destroyed much of Shurima and declared himself the strongest. 

Why isn't Xerath played often in professional tournaments?

Xerath is not a common pick in professional matches because he has low mobility and depends too much on skill shots. While he can deal strong damage from far away, he becomes weak when enemies get close. In pro games, players often use champions who can move quickly and survive team fights. Xerath does not offer much utility and cannot escape danger easily. Because of that, most teams avoid him and choose more flexible mages.