Keep in mind this guide is still a work in progress, and that I will add several features to it later.

First, let's make one thing clear. This guide is NOT a guide for someone that locked Xerath in with an accident, or maybe purpose and wants to play him as a counter. This guide is here to show you one of many ways on how to play Xerath, my way. If you are looking for a quick guide on how to not suck with him, and do decent with him because you've locked him in as a counter, then you are out of luck.

And as with any other champion, you'll have to use your brain! This guide is how I play him. There are many other ways to play him, and there is NO right way to play him. There are only ways that work better, and well.. Ways that don't work that well at all.

And last, you will need to be able to watch and fix your mistakes. Maybe you have noticed this before, in Solo Queue or maybe even in Normal Blind Pick.. You make a mistake, and you notice right after that you made it that you've done something wrong.

You need to figure out what you did wrong, and fix it. This is how many other people learn and improve in League of Legends. And to be good at Xerath, and any other champion.. You will first have to learn how to play League of Legends correctly.

To understand how Xerath is and works as a champion you have to understand the game. You need to know that Xerath isn't an Assasin, or a Fighter, Tank nor is he an AD Carry. He's an AP Carry that dishes out as much DMG as possible in teamfights without getting caught. You have to understand the main prospect of going for the squishy AD Carries first, and leave the Tanks for the end.

If the Tanks are annoying the **** out of you, and your team you'll have to get rid of them. If not, if it is just a random Garen without any DMG you can ignore him.

Again, Xerath is an AP Carry. AP Carries tend to focus on AoE, and low-CD/highly repeatable burst, and as such win the teamfights.

Whenever you get a kill or two in lane, you should look towards dragon. You have the strongest mid game, and should abuse this to get objectives to help the rest of the team.

Killed the jungler and their Top is farming Top?
- Turn this into objectives, for example a dragon.. Or a turret.

Try to make as much pressure as you can on the map. Let them have to choose between a Dragon or a turret. Help your team into victory. Dragons are global gold and help you a lot.

When a teamfight starts make sure to position yourself at the back of your team. You want to stay out of range from anybody. You have a long range, abuse it!
If your team ends up recalling back to base after a five for zero fight, you are doing something wrong.

You need to turn this into objectives, prehaps a Baron!

Late-Game teamfights are similar to mid-game teamfights, but with some differences. You might end up as the main source of DMG in your team. And as I said earlier you will have to pick targets perfectly.

Late-Game make sure your Support and Team Mates peel for you. They need to get any threat away from you, so you can do your job safely without getting killed.

MARKS

Greater Mark of Magic Penetration

This mark is the only one I would recommend for Xerath for any type of playstyle in the Middle or any solo lane. It gives you Magic Penetration to get able to hit much more on people which have a lot of Magic Resistance. The only other viable choice would be the AD Marks for easier last hits and basic attack poking.

SEALS

Greater Seal of Ability Power

Seal of Ability Power is the one I personally use since your passive provides you Armor based of % of how much Ability Power you have. In my opinion this means you can feel free to replace the Armor Seals for Ability Power Seals, this way you will also get enough Armor, and also hit much harder.

GLYPHS

Greater Glyph of Magic Resist

This glyph is the one i personally use, you won't be able to dodge eveything, and when you don't.. Well you will want some extra magic resistance to be able to take a Nidalee Spear for example. All the other Glyphs in my opinion are worthless, as you already have enough damage and armor to survive the early game untill you get some defensive items.

QUINTS

Greater Quintessence of Ability Power

You need the extra damage this gives you. I see a lot of people going movement speed quints and other stuff that gives you survival ability but it is worthless. You should never get caught, if you get caught a lot Xerath is not the champion for you! You need to abuse his range and always be the one they can't even reach.