Xerath is a beast. Nuff said. He's currently ranked by Elementz as the number one ban right now. He's crazy. He's a siege tank.

Pros:
Made of Lightning
Range rivaled by very few
He's got really long range
His range is ridiculous
Nice stun
AOE is very powerful
Built in Armor from passive

Cons:
Require a lot of skillshot use
Requires a lot of skill
You have to know when to siege up and when not to
People rage at your range

Greater Mark of Magic Penetration A must for all casters. Just too good.

Greater Seal of Scaling Ability Power Now here's where you can go two ways. I hardly ever have mana problems (I can control my mana usage.)

Greater Seal of Scaling Mana Regeneration A lot people get these to help with mana problems as well. A solid second choice.

Greater Glyph of Scaling Ability Power This really helps your AP. It stacks really well late game. Much better than flats because the turn around is level 6. In a solo lane, you're going to be hitting that mark extremely quickly.

Greater Quintessence of Ability Power These are just too good. An extra 15 AP at the start really packs a punch in lane. Your lightning will really hit hard.

New Masteries!!! I have just fallen in love with the offensive tree. It's really good. Magic pen, AP, and more AP. It's just too good. I put the other 9 into utility to get some mana.

I like to start with Doran's Ring. It gives you health, Mp5, and AP. All those are tremendous in lane. If you don't feel you need it you can get a Sapphire Crystal or a Meki Pendant to start your Tear of the Goddess. You really want to rush a Tear of the Goddess. The quicker you get it, the quicker you start building up the extra mana. Once you get it, all your mana problems go away as Xerath, since he really isn't that mana extensive. After you get your tear, you want to start rushing your CDR. Xerath is really dependent on it. Morello's Evil Tome gives good AP, Mana regen, and CDR. I prefer it over Deathfire Grasp because you're hardly ever in range to use Deathfire Grasp's active effectively.

Then get your Rabadon's Deathcap. AP is fun and awesome. Get it.

Here I make a decision:
If they're not too tanky: Get a Rylai's Crystal Scepter for the bonus health and slow.
If they're pretty tanky: Get a Void Staff so that you can penetrate their MR.
If you're getting focused: Zhonya's Hourglass is a good option, but usually you don't need armor as much because of your passive.

What?!? Why no Abyssal Mask!?!?!? It's very bad on Xerath. But it gives MR reduction!!! In an Aura. Therefore, you have to be close in order for it to reduce their MR. If you're close then you're not playing Xerath right.

After that just grab blue pots and pwn.

I really like Flash. It's just too good. Is there anyone you don't take this on besides people like Singed?

Also, for the second one you can take Ignite, Telport, Ghost, or Exhaust. I personally like exhaust because you're hardly ever close enough to use Ignite, and you usually don't have to be mobile enough to use ghost or teleport. I like exhaust to slow enemies as well as save my butt if they jump on me.

You're going to want to Q, W, E, R, Q, R, R, Q, Q in most fights. You're going to want to lightning as much possible to utilize your short cooldowns.

Setting up your W:

Know when to siege up. Don't stop in the front of a battle. Wait for the battle to begin and shoot your lightning without siegeing. Once the battle has commenced, find a space in back, siege up, and let them have it. Also, if you get jumped on PRESS W AND RUN. So many times in my first few times playing Xerath I was QQing at the fact my mouse was broken and I couldn't run from a gank, only to realize I was still sieged up.

I really appreciate any constructive criticism or suggestions. Please actually give reasons for voting me down and give me ways to improve. Thanks.

I really appreciate any constructive criticism or suggestions. Please actually give reasons for voting me down and give me ways to improve. Thanks.