Need Xerath Tips!

Hello! Platinum support main with literally hundreds of games on Xerath.

1.) Q Is your single biggest asset and the core reason you bring Xerath to a game. I'd always advise maxing it first. Getting good at landing Q is a really big part of playing Xerath. Master the skillshot and you'll be able to poke people out of the lane and play Xerath safely.

2.) Xerath is a strong champion, but he is easily countered. pay attention to your bad matchups, and know when you're in danger. Much like ashe, if he gets dove on, there is literally NOTHING he can do. I'd even go so far as to say Xerath has some of the biggest counters in the game. A well-played can straight up erase Xerath from the game. This is because of his binary playstyle.

3.) Small trick for you, if you charge his Q but don't cast it, it refunds most of the mana back, this means you can use it to trigger procs like tear and manaband and take advantage of them without actually spending mana. If your 'free spell' is up, cast q, and let it expire without casting, you can net a pretty good amount of mana back this way.

4.) Items. Everyone knows core magic items at this point, but I will post a few oddball items that most might miss, and explain why they are great niche picks on Xerath.

Will get you out of so many bad situations it's criminal. Most people think you just want AP AP AP! and yea, its good - but you want to look at items that cover up his weakness. This can help a ton.

Vision is critical for Xerath, which is why I'd highly consider this item. Throwing out ghosts and triggering your ultimate on a slowed foe that you caught is terrifying. This can also double down as a strong defensive tool and save you from a gank.

Surprisingly good on him - Having a slow on every ability makes it that much harder for enemies to engage on you, and makes it easier for your team to capitalize on your poke.

**Main takeaway? Buy a few items that work to keep distance between you and your target. **

5.) Remember that Xerath falls off more than people suggest come late game. You will not be able to poke through tanks, and even landing a full combo on anyone other than a carry come late game has little effect. His real power lies in his strong laning phase and powerful mid-game presence. He also has tremendous waveclear - worth mentioning, if you fall behind - you can delay the game pretty good by stopping waves, but lately, Riot is on a push to stop this behavior. With recent baron changes, it's becoming impossible to stop a baron wave. You want your team ahead enough to start taking objectives through the mid-game. Don't count on carrying with Xerath as a mid come endgame, because you will almost always be disappointed.

Poke/Farm with Q, Farm or Poke with W I like to zone to get my passive off. Safe E to stop all ins.