10 Best Champions To Counter Xerath In League of Legends

Xerath is a long-range artillery mage known for his high poke damage, strong wave clear, and powerful zoning abilities. With spells like Arcanopulse (Q) and Eye of Destruction (W), he can harass enemies from a safe distance while controlling objectives with Rite of the Arcane (R). However, Xerath has clear weaknesses—he is immobile, vulnerable to all-ins, and relies on landing skill shots to deal damage. The best counters can close the gap quickly, dodge his poke, or disrupt his positioning. In this article, we’ll explore the 10 best champions to counter Xerath and how to exploit his weaknesses to shut him down.

#10: Kassadin

Kassadin is a strong counter to Xerath because he scales into a late-game monster, can absorb magic damage, and has the mobility to bypass Xerath’s poke. Xerath relies on landing long-range skill shots, but Kassadin’s Null Sphere (Q) provides a magic shield, reducing the impact of Xerath’s poke and allowing Kassadin to safely farm in the early game.

Another major advantage Kassadin has is his mobility with Riftwalk (R). Xerath’s biggest weakness is his lack of mobility, and once Kassadin reaches level 6, he can use Riftwalk to instantly close the gap and burst Xerath down before he can reposition. Since Xerath has no hard crowd control outside of his slow from Eye of Destruction (W), Kassadin can continuously jump on him without much threat of being locked down.

To win this matchup, Kassadin players should focus on surviving the early game, using Q to mitigate poke, and looking for all-ins after level 6. If played correctly, Kassadin can completely shut down Xerath and outscale him into a dominant late-game threat.

#9: Qiyana

Qiyana is a strong counter to Xerath because she can quickly close the gap, burst him down before he can react, and avoid his skill shots with her mobility. Xerath relies on hitting long-range poke abilities, but Qiyana’s Terrashape (W) and Audacity (E) allow her to dash in instantly, making it difficult for Xerath to keep her at a distance.

Another key advantage Qiyana has is her high burst damage. Once she gets Edge of Night or Prowler’s Claw, she can one-shot Xerath with a full combo, including Elemental Wrath (Q) and Supreme Display of Talent (R). Since Xerath has no mobility, he struggles to escape once Qiyana engages, and she can repeatedly assassinate him in fights.

To win this matchup, Qiyana players should focus on dodging Xerath’s poke in the early game, looking for all-in opportunities with E, and using her mobility to reposition in fights. If played correctly, Qiyana can delete Xerath before he has a chance to fight back.

#8: Yasuo

Yasuo is a strong counter to Xerath because he can block his poke, gap-close quickly, and burst him down in all-ins. Xerath relies on landing long-range skill shots, but Yasuo’s Wind Wall (W) can block all of Xerath’s abilities, making it difficult for him to deal damage effectively.

Another key advantage Yasuo has is his high mobility. Since Sweeping Blade (E) lets him dash through minions, he can quickly close the gap on Xerath and punish him whenever he overextends. Once Yasuo reaches level 6, his Last Breath (R) allows him to lock Xerath down and finish him off before he has time to reposition.

To win this matchup, Yasuo players should use Wind Wall strategically to block Xerath’s poke, use E to dodge skill shots, and look for all-ins when his abilities are on cooldown. If played correctly, Yasuo can completely deny Xerath’s damage and shut him down in lane.

#7: Talon

Talon is a strong counter to Xerath because he can quickly close the gap, burst him down before he can react, and roam effectively to deny Xerath’s scaling. Xerath relies on staying at long range to poke and control fights, but Talon’s Assassin’s Path (E) allows him to jump over terrain, making it nearly impossible for Xerath to keep him at a safe distance.

Another key advantage Talon has is his high burst damage and mobility. With Noxian Diplomacy (Q) and Rake (W), Talon can quickly engage on Xerath, deal massive burst damage, and escape before Xerath can retaliate. Since Xerath is immobile and has no strong defensive tools, he struggles to survive Talon’s assassinations.

To win this matchup, Talon players should focus on dodging Xerath’s poke early, looking for level 3 all-ins, and using E to flank Xerath whenever he overextends. If played correctly, Talon can snowball the game and make it impossible for Xerath to farm safely.

#6: Akali

Akali is a strong counter to Xerath because she can dodge his skill shots, close the gap easily, and burst him down before he can react. Xerath relies on landing long-range poke, but Akali’s Twilight Shroud (W) gives her invisibility, making it difficult for Xerath to land his abilities and forcing him to reposition.

Another key advantage Akali has is her high mobility and assassination potential. With Shuriken Flip (E) and Perfect Execution (R), Akali can quickly engage on Xerath and burst him down before he has a chance to retaliate. Since Xerath has no mobility and no strong defensive tools, he struggles to escape Akali’s relentless pursuit.

To win this matchup, Akali players should focus on dodging poke with W, looking for all-ins after level 6, and using her mobility to pressure Xerath whenever he mispositions. If played correctly, Akali can completely shut down Xerath and prevent him from scaling into a late-game threat.

#5: Katarina

Katarina is a strong counter to Xerath because she can quickly close the gap, dodge his skill shots, and burst him down before he can react. Xerath relies on landing long-range poke, but Katarina’s Shunpo (E) allows her to instantly engage, making it difficult for Xerath to keep her at a safe distance.

Another key advantage Katarina has is her ability to reset and snowball fights. Since Xerath is immobile and squishy, Katarina can easily take him down with a quick combo of Bouncing Blades (Q), Shunpo (E), and Death Lotus (R). If she secures a kill or assist, her passive resets her abilities, allowing her to keep going and wipe out the backline.

To win this matchup, Katarina players should focus on dodging Xerath’s poke, looking for all-in opportunities when he overextends, and using her mobility to reposition and avoid his skill shots. If played correctly, Katarina can completely shut down Xerath and snowball the game in her favor.

#4: Ahri

Ahri is a strong counter to Xerath because she can dodge his skill shots, poke him back, and all-in him with high mobility. Xerath relies on hitting long-range abilities, but Ahri’s Spirit Rush (R) gives her three dashes, allowing her to easily close the gap and avoid his poke.

Another major advantage Ahri has is her strong catch potential with Charm (E). Since Xerath is immobile and vulnerable to crowd control, a well-timed Charm can lock him down, giving Ahri an opportunity to burst him with Orb of Deception (Q) and Fox-Fire (W). Additionally, Ahri’s sustain from passive healing allows her to recover from Xerath’s poke in lane, making it harder for him to bully her out.

To win this matchup, Ahri players should focus on dodging poke with R, landing E to set up all-ins, and punishing Xerath when he overextends. If played correctly, Ahri can outmaneuver Xerath and shut him down before he can scale.

#3: Leblanc

LeBlanc is a strong counter to Xerath because she can dodge his skill shots, burst him down instantly, and escape before he can retaliate. Xerath relies on landing long-range poke, but LeBlanc’s Distortion (W) allows her to dodge his abilities and quickly close the gap for an all-in.

Another major advantage LeBlanc has is her assassination potential. With Sigil of Malice (Q) and Ethereal Chains (E), she can apply heavy burst damage and root Xerath in place, preventing him from escaping. Since Xerath is immobile and lacks self-peel, LeBlanc can repeatedly jump in, burst him down, and escape safely with W and Mimic (R).

To win this matchup, LeBlanc players should focus on dodging Xerath’s poke, using W to engage and escape, and looking for all-in opportunities whenever Xerath mispositions. If played correctly, LeBlanc can make it impossible for Xerath to farm safely and completely shut him down.

#2: Zed

Zed is a strong counter to Xerath because he can dodge his skill shots, burst him down instantly, and escape before taking damage. Xerath relies on landing long-range poke, but Zed’s Living Shadow (W) allows him to reposition quickly, making it difficult for Xerath to land his abilities.

Another major advantage Zed has is his assassination potential. With Death Mark (R), Zed can instantly engage onto Xerath, unleash his full combo, and delete him before he has time to react. Since Xerath lacks mobility and defensive tools, Zed can continuously pressure him in lane and punish him every time his Flash is down.

To win this matchup, Zed players should focus on dodging Xerath’s poke with W, engaging when his abilities are on cooldown, and using R to burst him down before he can reposition. If played correctly, Zed can make Xerath’s laning phase miserable and snowball out of control.

#1: Fizz

Fizz is the best counter to Xerath because he can dodge his skill shots, gap-close instantly, and burst him down before he can react. Xerath relies on hitting long-range abilities, but Fizz’s Playful/Trickster (E) makes him untargetable, allowing him to completely avoid Xerath’s poke and ultimate damage.

Another major advantage Fizz has is his explosive burst potential. With Urchin Strike (Q), Seastone Trident (W), and Chum the Waters (R), Fizz can quickly close the gap and one-shot Xerath before he has time to react. Since Xerath is immobile and lacks strong self-peel, Fizz can dive him freely and eliminate him repeatedly throughout the game.

To win this matchup, Fizz players should focus on dodging Xerath’s poke with E, engaging with Q when Xerath overextends, and using R to secure kills. If played correctly, Fizz can make it impossible for Xerath to safely farm and completely shut him down.

Conclusion

Xerath is a powerful artillery mage with long-range poke, strong wave clear, and excellent zoning, but his weaknesses—lack of mobility, reliance on skill shots, and vulnerability to all-ins—make him susceptible to the right counters. Champions like Fizz and Zed can dodge his abilities and burst him down instantly, while LeBlanc and Qiyana excel at closing the gap before he can react. If you’re struggling against Xerath, picking one of these champions and playing aggressively to deny his farm and punish his immobility will prevent him from scaling into a late-game threat. By avoiding his poke, engaging at the right time, and pressuring him constantly, you can shut him down and take control of the game.