How to beat Varus

Common role: ADC

A long-range marksman who pokes you out and chains your team in a root.

What makes Varus dangerous

Varus charges a piercing arrow (Q) for long-range burst, stacks Blight on you (W) for bonus damage, zones with a decaying poison field (E), and fires a chain root (R) that spreads from the first target hit to everyone nearby. His ult can lock down a grouped team from a screen away.

How to play against Varus

• 1Don't clump: his ult root spreads from the first hit to nearby allies.
• 2Dodge his charged Q — it is his main poke and burst.
• 3He is immobile with no dash; engage on him once his R is used.
• 4Cleanse or QSS his root to break his engage combo.

Weaknesses to exploit

• ✓No mobility or escape at all.
• ✓His ult roots only spread if you're grouped — spread out.
• ✓Charged Q is telegraphed and dodgeable.
• ✓Vulnerable to hard engage once R is down.

Abilities & how to counter them

What each of Varus's abilities does — and how to play around it.

• P
  Living Vengeance

  On kill or assist, Varus temporarily gains Attack Damage and Ability Power. This bonus is larger if the enemy is a champion.

  Strong: gains attack speed on a takedown to snowball fights. Weak: deny him kills and the tempo never starts.

• Q
  Piercing Arrow

  Varus readies and then fires a powerful shot that gains extra range and damage the longer he spends preparing to fire.

  Strong: a charged arrow that pierces for long-range burst. Weak: telegraphed and slow — sidestep it, especially through minions.

• W
  Blighted Quiver

  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.

  Strong: stacks Blight for bonus magic damage on his hits. Weak: the stacks fall off — deny his autos and the payoff never lands.

• E
  Hail of Arrows

  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.

  Strong: a poison field that zones objectives and applies grievous wounds. Weak: fixed area — just don't stand in it.

• R
  Chain of Corruption

  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.

  Strong: a root that spreads from the first target to every nearby ally. Weak: it only chains if you're grouped — spread out, and Cleanse/QSS breaks it.

Itemization

Spread against his ult and dodge his Q. Hard engage or a dive punishes his immobility; Cleanse/QSS breaks the chain root.

This guide covers Varus's core kit and playstyle — advice that holds up across patches.