Xerath is a very long range and high burst damage champion but very new to league of legends.
His amazing range has also negative side effects, considering the 0.5 sec stun (i don't know the actual time, i'm just guessing) when going into W. This stun makes him very vulnerable.

i don't think that my guide will either help anyone of you nor will it blend from any others. i just thought playing him that way always helped win games and score lots of kills.

For Runes i run a standard caster build.
9x magic pen reds
9x manaregn /per 5 yellows
9x ability power scale blues

for quints you I go 2x ability power flats
1x magic pen

but you can go 3x ability power flats as well

Masteries are pretty much a no-brainer thingy, as Xerath is a pretty standard caster/mage.
Pretty self explanatory

As for items.

CORE ITEMS:
-ROA
-Sorcerer's Shoes
-Rabadon's Deathcap

I start with sapphire crystal and 2 pots, i usually go home around lvl 7/8 and buy BOOTS! and try to get a full Catalyst the Protector.

Depending on the enemy team and their jungler I try to take 1-2 green wards with me (early and mid game). Because as you are a mid lane champion you need to be secure.

if i have to face a Brand in midlane I normally like to start with boots and 3 pots instead of sapphire crystal just to have the saver early game and security over an early ROA rush.

The Rest of your items, such as Archangel's Staff, Void Staff and all the other AP items are situational.

Normally I would go for Rylai's Crystal Scepter because it gives you more health and a pretty decent slow.

FLASH/IGNITE

Flash - Pretty self explanatory, !ESCAPE!, aggressive use with care and only to secure kill!
Ignite - Every team should have an ignite, to the base of current META. Ignite gives you just
the little bit of extra damage you always wanted to make :)


Ghost - Could be a possibility to ignite, but i usually would prefer Ignite on a caster/mage.
Teleport - Depends on your play style but I rather let the solo laner have the purple port.


Clarity - Can't controll your mana, make the enemy mid laner rage, take clarity. Waste of Summoner Spell in late game anyway.
Heal - Thinkin about dying, not you, why would you need it? Late game usability = 0!
Revive - As long as you're not Dyrus don't take it :)
Rally - They really didn't delete it yet?
CV - Support Summoner
Exhaust - AD Carry should have it not you
Fortify - Haven't seen this spell in a while.
Smite - JUST DON'T TAKE IT!

You are a long ranged caster and you need to stay out of the fray!!
You can pop your W anytime you feel comfortable and I wouldn't go straight into W, but that's just my opinion.

Keep in mind, you do a lot of damage, you really do, but you're not MELEE!
Enormous range is good, so use it and stay out of the center of the fight.
Your ult range is bigger than Kog'Maws!!!!


You need to play some games though to get the feeling how to place in fights and when you pop W.

I think Xerath is very easy to learn, but needs a lot of work to become great at playing him.

He is still very different from other Champions in my opinion and other to handle and counter, but i love his mechanics and how he works. He's just fun to play.

All in all, I don't know about Xerath in High-ELO but i think he's pretty ELO-Hell and Low-ELO viable.

and because I suck and didn't get how to get all those nice pictures in that guide, because it is my first i apologize.
thihi have fun playing though =(^_^)=