Xerath Build Guide by H4rm0nY

Xerath, the Magus Ascendant

Introduction

Hi guys
So, this is my FIRST build, so i'm sorry for possible flaws it may contain.
I wanted to make this build because I noticed that the build I use for playing Xerath is somewhat different from the ones I see people playing it, and even from most of the builds here on mobafire (actually, I haven't seen ANY build that uses the exact same items as I do so...).
Anyway, so I just thought, "hey, I'll give it a try,i'm going to publish my build, and if someone likes it, good, if not, well, at least I tried :)"

I will just cover some aspects of the game though, so, if you're expecting for some in-depth guide to Xerath, I really suggest you go look for another guide, and than if you want, come back and take a look at this build.

Well, so, hope you enjoy it!

Story

In the ancient civilization of Shurima, the mage called Xerath practiced magic with undying passion. He believed that with enough magical power, he could gaze into the heart of Runeterra to know the secrets of history and the universe beyond. Such magic was beyond the limitations of a mortal body, but Xerath obsessively pursued a path to infinite power nonetheless. With every breakthrough he grew more and more powerful, yet not without consequence. Xerath's increasing arcane abilities wrought havoc on his physical form. Desperate, he undertook a dangerous ritual to transcend his dying body. The outcome would be immortality or self-destruction. Violent magic unleashed during the ritual caused devastation throughout Shurima, but when the dust settled, Xerath emerged as an ascended being of pure arcane energy.
Free of flesh and bone, Xerath held nearly infinite power at his command. However, in the wake of his chaotic ritual, the mages of Shurima feared his careless disregard for life would bring ruin to the kingdom. After a terrible struggle they subdued Xerath, but they could not destroy his ascended form. Instead they trapped him within an enchanted sarcophagus and sealed him in an underground tomb. Eons passed, civilizations rose and fell, and Xerath's imprisonment was lost to memory. For centuries, Xerath's vast power tore away at the sarcophagus and weakened its spell. Finally, he willed forth a burst of magic that shattered his prison, but its core remained, containing Xerath and his power within its broken pieces. Seeking to rid himself of this burden, he was drawn to the magic of Valoran's nexuses and found he could absorb their power. Yet the nexuses had gatekeepers: petty mages known as summoners. Xerath knew his key to true freedom from his prison lay in gaining their trust, and he offered his power to the League of Legends.

“I have no need for vengeance. Time has brought ruin to the mages of Shurima and I alone remain.”
Xerath, the Magus Ascendant

Runes

Well, this suits Xerath REAALLY well. He already has the Locus of Power skill, which will grant him 30% m.pen when maxed, so this will give you another boost to it, and to your nuking ability.

So, this one is really just a way to boost your early-game nuking power (that's why I go for Potency instead of Force), and helping you get fed fast.

I think there's not much to say here, Cooldown reduction, though the cooldown's from Xerath's skills are not really big, they are not small either. so, this will allow you to start the game already with your cooldowns reduced, and help you (REALLY help you) on your fights.

Same goal as the "Greater Seal of Potency".

Items (Explanation)

I think there is no need for a "Masteries" section, since it's pretty much the same masteries used for other AP champions, so I will skip right to the Items

And, well, as I said before, this is pretty much where my build get's different from the other ones.

[*]First, I start with Doran's, since it gives me a nice AP boost, health, and mana regen, which Xerath really needs in early game.



[*] Buy the catalyst as fast as I can, because Xerath's skills cost a lot of mana, and this will be tough for you, mostly in early game.



[*] and By now, you are able to stay in your lane for a pretty long time thanks to that Catalyst, and it's time to buy the boots and your first big item,, which, in my opinion, suits Xerath really well, giving him 80 AP (more than the 45 you would get from ) and a nice HP/MANA boost, along with the passive from Catalyst.



[*] After the Rod of Ages, you finish your boots for Lucidity ,and I chose the lucidity ones, because I buy Void Staff later on, so you get the really helpfull cooldown reduction here, and m.pen on Void staff, so dont really need ....

[*] it's time for the almighty RABADONSSSS :D

At this point, you can probably win any 1v1 fight if you know how to properly play Xerath, and there isn't any Over-fed Champion on the other team...



[*] With this, Xerath get's fu**ing Epic really... Seriously, Tons of DMG+stun+Slow? you're going to make people RAGE!



[*] as I previously announced, here's our Void Staff.. now, this, along with Locus of Power, and the Mark's of Insight, gives more than 70% magic penetration.. which is a LOT, and which is why you don't need those Sorcerer Shoes, see?



[*] finally, last item, while many people choose , and it's really good, if you want it, it's not a bad idea, but I choose Will of the ancients, because the 25% spell vamp is really awesome.