Hello, welcome to my Varus build. This is my first build and well I'm not going to be perfect. So I'll try my best, and you should not try to take this build seriously into consideration over AD Varus and other AP carries. Also this will be boring without images and so enjoy the long page of nothing but words. Remember, rate this build on items and information, and not biased it as being AP.

Well Varus is an AD carry and should be played as an AD carry, please do not criticize this build just because it's AP. I consider Varus to be ONE of many great AD carries, given his range. It's just, i find it more fun playing AP Varus seeing the HP of an enemy being cut down in a matter of seconds. If you do decide to skim through this build, PLEASE READ THE "RANKED PLAY" SECTION!.

Pros
Can easily kill a the enemy team if team peels.
Ignores health scaling.
1:1 Scaling on Chain of Corruption, Rape most champs.
Blighted Quiver allows easy last hitting ability.
High late-game potential.

Cons
No consistent damage.
Weakness is burst. ie LeBlanc.
Weak lane harass against most AP carries.
Squishy like a piece of paper. Although paper isn't squishy.

First let's go over your skills, and how they should be used.

Living Vengeance: This passive lets you have a higher attack speed, which is always nice on AP Varus to get Blighted Quiver on your target. Highly recommended that you finish last hitting or killing a minion before initiating a 1 on 1 fight with anyone.

Piercing Arrow: This is your sniping skill. It allows you to hit that target that is running away, granted that you can aim. This is really good for finishing off your target, don't waste this right away.

Blighted Quiver: The main damage source... Oh how i love this skill and it's ability to shut down all tanks. Easy skill no complicated explanation required, auto attack 3 times then throw in a skill.

Hail of Arrows: Your AOE slow... very good for those people who can't seem to aim their skill shots to activate Blighted Quiver. If you can master hitting all of your target and implementing Blighted Quiver stacks, this will deal a poop load of damage on their entire team, if they're grouped together. Also the 50% healing cut is very good if you don't decide to take ignite, can shut down multi-target heal like Wish.

Chain of Corruption: This ult is godly overpowered on AP Varus, being the fact that it's a 1:1 AP Ratio, it also spreads to other target, this is especially good for team fights because no one will really notice what's going on. The chain moves slowly but it's hardly visible with all the fighting going on. It deals a lot more damage with 3 Blighted Quiver stacks.


Skill Order:
Blighted Quiver x3 -> Hail of Arrows -> Blighted Quiver x3 -> Chain of Corruption -> Blighted Quiver x3 -> Piercing Arrow

Ah i love the revamp mastery for season 3. This is very typical, I'm not taking Mana regen because you don't really need it, just ask for blue buff because you're not spamming abilities as AP Varus unless you land those stacks, which becomes a lot easier once you get Runaan's Hurricane. Movement speed is more required because ADC tend to have lower movement speed.

Greater Mark of Magic Penetration: Magic penetration, why are you even questioning this rune.

Greater Seal of Attack Speed: I prefer these runes over Greater Seal of Scaling Mana Regeneration because you want to get as much Blighted Quiver stacks on the enemy as fast as possible.

Greater Glyph of Scaling Ability Power: Help scales your Blighted Quiver Damage into late game.

Greater Quintessence of Ability Power: Gives you early AP for last hitting with your Blighted Quiver


Other Options

Greater Seal of Scaling Mana Regeneration: This will help you spam your skills more, but unless you can land your blight stack on an AP carry easily, this isn't recommended.

Greater Glyph of Magic Resist: Allows you to take more hits and lane sustain against the mid lane.

Greater Quintessence of Movement Speed: This will drop your damage of your Blighted Quiver, but you can walk around faster and have more survivability.

Flash: Escape tight situations over walls or flash in for the kill, which isn't recommended considering Varus has amazing range on all his skills.

Ignite: For finishing off that last bit of HP in lane phase. Also useful for cutting healing of annoying heals such as Dr. Mundo or Swain.

Exhaust: I don't know.. Take this if you want especially when chasing or against AD carries, WHICH YOU SHOULD AVOID.


You guys should be smart enough to know what's not to take.

The items are optimized for most damage output.

Core Build

Runaan's Hurricane: This item is amazing on AP Varus. It makes your W spread to 2 other enemies cutting down your work when you use the proc from it.

Sorcerer's Shoes: Grants bonus Magic Penetration = More damage.

Rabadon's Deathcap: Standard AP carry item, makes your Blighted Quiver.

Void Staff: Same as the shoes, but not technically shoes.

Nashor's Tooth: The changes made to this item, making it deal damage equal to your AP is extremely potent with Varus' Blighted Quiver and the Mastery. Plus the bonus attack speed is always a plus.

Zhonya's Hourglass: Drops all focus on you, and gives you bonus armor.


Other Viable Items

Berserker's Greaves: Take if you want bonus attack speed and apply more Blighted Quiver stacks, really your choice.


Lich Bane: A good item if you have high AP, but having Blighted Quiver is really all you need, but it wouldn't hurt to have more damage in your auto attack.

Mejai's Soulstealer: Only for fed games, still recommending Nashor's Tooth over this item.

DON'T USE THIS BUILD IN RANKED!!!!!!

EDIT:
To be honest, now that i practiced AP Varus was able to pull me off with 2 Penta kills and a Quadra. He hits way too hard and is probably viable if you play him smart.

This build is only for when you're bored. Please don't add me in-game and rage at me, you have been warned. Tell me what i should change, what needs to be added and other things that you think would make this guide better, it's not perfect by far because it's my first. Enjoy raping that Dr. Mundo, Trundle and Volibear. This build is AMAZING, and Poppy loves it.