Xerath

Xerath mid is long-range poke + scaling. Start Doran's Ring + 2 pots. Q-poke from 800+ range — chip enemy from screen edge.

Push wave with W AoE — force enemy under tower and deny CS. Track jungler; poke mages have no escape tools.

Luden's Companion + Sorcerer's Shoes is your spike. Xerath pokes from 1000+ range — out-range every assassin pre-engage.

Shadowflame 2nd item for magic pen. Roam side lanes post-6 — Q-poke long-range. Push wave under tower then roam.

Backline artillery. Stand 1000+ range from frontline. Q-poke priority targets through enemy frontline. Xerath scales infinitely on AP items.

Rabadon's + Void Staff 4-5th = max poke damage. Stand near tank ally always — die in 1 hit to assassins.

Out-poke lane → 1 item spike → R-burst teamfights. Xerath doesn't peel — your team needs another peel source.

Win: 50%+ Q hit rate + 3+ R kills per game. Lose to: gap-close assassins (Zed, Talon) — need Zhonya's 1st item.

Level 2 — full poke combo unlocked. Level 6 — R for cross-map R or long-range execute. Luden's Companion (1st item) — wave clear + burst proc. Sorcerer's Shoes — magic pen for true damage. Level 11 — R rank 2 + 2-3 items. Rabadon's Deathcap (5th item) — 35% AP amplifier.

Combos:

• Q (long-range poke) -> auto -> W (AoE) = sustained chip
• Hit Q on minion to bait enemy approach, then full combo
• Flash + R for guaranteed cross-screen execute

Anti-tips:

• Don't engage solo — poke mages die in melee
• Don't waste mana on missed Q's — manage for the actual fight
• Don't fight at melee range — keep 800+ from frontline

Pro tricks:

• Arcane Comet keystone procs every Q at max range
• Push wave under tower mid-game, then roam with R
• Stack passive procs (Liandry burn) BEFORE the actual fight by pre-poking