I tend to spend the majority of my time playing ranged AD carries, and Varus operates similarly to the others. Obviously, though, he has many of his own unique traits that set him very apart from the rest. In terms of his playstyle, I tend to think of him as a combination of Ashe and Vayne -- he's a potent glass cannon with the ability to slow/stop an enemy and to get away when needed.

I actually use the same runes for Varus that I do for Vayne. It's armor pen to counter the more heavily-armored, health for a bit more survivability, and attack speed for faster base basic damage and stacks of blighted quiver. For quints I've gone with two more health, again for that survivability, and one movement speed quint, as Varus can feel a bit slower than some champs until you've completed boots and a Phantom Dancer.

For masteries I've gone with a pretty basic ranged AD carry plus mana build. I've also tried this with my point in the defense tree for added health. The defense tree is a fine method, but you tend to run shorter on mana and, truly, with the health runes, you're pretty covered in that department unless they get up close too early.

I'm going with Heal and Teleport here for a variety of reasons. With ranged AD carries, Heal is not usually a priority, but early on, you will find times you could finish off an enemy if you just had that last spot of health to kill them before they kill you. Heal provides you with this, and the increase in survivability for you is deadly for your opponent. Many would suggest Flash for your second spell, and while this is an effective spell that will allow you many opportunities, I go with Teleport for the ability to move myself around the map much more quickly. Varies has a tendency to feel slower than some other champions (especially if you've been playing a mobile AD carry like Vayne or Teemo). The ability to zip around the map quickly several times throughout the match has given me chances to save towers, kill dumb enemies, and be in better position for Baron/Dragon kills and ambushes.

Varus tends to feel slow, so I start with Boots of Speed and three health potions. I want to farm minion kills early and, if possible, get a kill before level 6 for the quick burst of gold. During my first back I will finish my boots into Berserker's Greaves and, depending on my money situation, I will either pick up a Doran's Blade, Dagger, Vampiric Scepter or B.F. Sword. Generally it happens that I'll get the Doran's Blade. From there, I want the B.F. Sword, a Vampiric Scepter, and I want to finish the B.F. Sword into a Black Cleaver for more attack speed and Armor Pen. The order of these things varies. I will then do another B.F. Sword into an Infinity Edge, grab a Zeal and turn it into Phantom Dancer, finish the Bloodthirster's Blade and round out with Guardian Angel, choosing armor if the opposing team is more AD, and the magic reduction if they're more AP.

Varus' Piercing Arrow is a big damage skill shot that you'll want to familiarize yourself with quickly. I take this first, then a point in Blighted Quiver to start building and executing stacks with that piercing arrow. I will do the next two points in Piercing Arrow or Hail of Arrows, but that order depends on how I'm feeling in the game. If the enemy team is dumb and slow, I'll P.A. for more damage. If they're too mobile, I'll H.o.A. to slow them down. I take P.A. for level 5, then Chain of Corruption at 6. Chain is a skill shot as well, so make sure you're using it wisely and aiming where they will be, not where they are.

From there, I will max out Piercing Arrow and Blighted Quiver as quickly as possible, only adding in the second point of Chain of Corruption at level 11. I want P.A. and B.Q. fast for the damage burst they provide when you blow up the stacks of B.Q. I round out with H.o.A.

Again, Varus tends to feel slower than some champs, so make sure you've got a defensive air about you if the enemy is becoming too aggressive. Even with a slow start, Varus will build well with minion and neutral creep farming and champion kills. Don't let that slow start get you down. When deciding between mid and a lane, avoid mid if an overly mobile champion is there -- champions like Fizz can make your life miserable with their ability to evade Piercing Arrow and stay out of your range. In a lane, other champions that can slow, stun and harass are your best friends. When possible, and if your jungler doesn't need it (or you can get the enemy's side safely), take red and blue buffs and wait for the enemy to start /alling those GGs.