Im Mylan 2122 a xerath OTP for 3 seasons in a row now. However, I do play Ahri a lot too. This season (11) I've been able to maintain a high winrate and be in the top 100 of xerath in EUW.

I've had some success climbing out of lower elos with xerath, though it gets harder in the higher elos like plat and low diamond since people actually start to understand how to dodge and lane against him.

My guide is what works for me and might not be "ideal" on average. I've found success with this setup with respect to my playing style.

I will be updating this guide whenever needed or whenever I feel like it xD

GL HF

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Peace out.

In the ealry game you want to be as aggressive as possible since you outsustain most opponents with your passive. Go back as soon as you are very low or when you can buy lost chapter.
Almost always get dark seal and try and start stacking it up.

Use your Q to poke. If possible use W first so the enemies are slowed. It is then easier to hit the Q.
Try to keep your E up to try and escape when you do get ganked.

With xerath it is very easy to get prio as you have one of the best waveclears and pokes in the game. After you push the wave try and go in to the jungle to put some deep wards.
It is useless to ward your side bushes.

The deep ward can give both you and your team critical and very early information on a junglers position on the map.
The wards in the sidebush spot junglers often too late and only gives you a little information.

Whenenver possible, when you go back, buy a pink ward and put it on the side you want to lean on. Often times you put the pink in the pixelbush but it depends on the turrets you have taken. Try and move the pink up when you push more turrets and put the pink more on your side of the map when there are more of your turrets destroyed. (this might sound vague)

--> Coach curtis on youtube has very good videos on warding and laning macro knowledge.

Try to poke as much as possible and help your botlane out with your ult. You can walk to around dragon pit to ult so it is often not needed to do a full roam.

in the midgame you spike with Horizon Focus and your ludens so try to push your lead as much as possible.

In the late game the tanks get too fat, and you will be practically useless. Don't let the enemies outscale you. Most midlaners outscale xerath in the late game in my opinion.

Xerath is a perfect early to midgame carry champ, but you need to recognize when games need to be closed.