Lane edge
Win rate vs Sejuani
Lane opponent
How to play
Rank
All ranks
Patch 16.16.20–16.21
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How to play Varus
Read the full guide
Play by the cash-the-third-stack rule: build blight with autos first, then use E to keep the trade glued together and release Q slightly early rather than full-channeling every shot, because Varus damage is strongest when the detonation is prepared instead of improvised
In lane, look for the extra half-second where they are forced to stand still—after a hook, root, sleep, or slow—because Varus’s clean 2v2s start when support setup buys the third auto or guaranteed E cashout, not when you only chip from range
In fights, R often belongs on the diver or front body that stepped into you, and once the first takedown procs passive you should immediately play faster, because Varus wins a lot of fights by turning that first caught target into a tempo change instead of waiting for a perfect backline angle
If the trade is still moving, E is usually the better cashout because the slow keeps them in range for the next auto cycle and makes the third-stack pattern repeatable. If the target is already stuck, low, or about to leave your range, Q is usually the better finish because it converts the prepared damage immediately and can end the window before they escape. A simple rule in lane is: E when you still need contact, Q when you already have it. Once you start thinking that way, your spells stop overlapping for no reason and your trades feel much cleaner.
On kill or assist, Varus temporarily gains Attack Damage and Ability Power. This bonus is larger if the enemy is a champion.
Varus readies and then fires a powerful shot that gains extra range and damage the longer he spends preparing to fire.
Passive: Varus' basic attacks deal bonus magic damage and apply Blight. Varus' other abilities detonate Blight, dealing magic damage based on the target's maximum Health. Active: Varus empowers his next Piercing Arrow.
Varus fires a hail of arrows that deal physical damage and desecrate the ground. Desecrated ground slows enemies' Move Speed and reduces their self healing and regeneration.
Varus flings out a damaging tendril of corruption that immobilizes the first enemy champion hit and then spreads towards nearby uninfected champions, immobilizing them too on contact.
