How to win lane as Locke against Xerath · Matchup data reviewed on patch 26.15
A stationary spell-battery vs a blink with an execute — survive the poke tax pre-6, then every low-HP recall becomes a Purgatory receipt.
Track: Xerath's E — Shocking Orb (Stun, 13–11s cooldown). His only CC — dodge the orb and his artillery never converts into a kill.
Read from Locke's seat: which stage windows this plan plays for against Xerath.
| Stage | Favoured | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Even / skill | Level 1 is even as both farm past each other's range. |
| Level 2 | Even / skill | Level 2 stays skill-based before his poke pattern is fully online. |
| Level 3 | Even / skill | Level 3 is even — his range pokes but can't kill through minions. |
| Levels 4-5 | Even / skill | Levels 4-5 remain a skill wash as you dodge and close distance. |
| Level 6 | Locke | At 6 Locke wins the all-in on immobile Xerath once E is down. |
| First item | Locke | First item still favors Locke, who deletes him on engage with item damage. |
| Two+ items | Even / skill | 2+ items evens out as Xerath's artillery range zones from safety. |
At 1-2 Xerath out-ranges and pokes you, so play the wave to block skillshots and preserve health rather than trading into his range. Xerath out-ranges you and pokes with Arcanopulse (Q) and Eye of Destruction (W), so weave through minions and don't eat free harass — his only defensive tool is the Shocking Orb (E) stun on cooldown. Full kit: W's speed makes the E-in stick. Stack nails, ignite the soul, and take the first genuine trade of the lane on YOUR timer.
The full Locke vs Xerath report continues with the mid-game plan, the late-game and teamfight plan, every power spike to play around, and the win conditions for both sides — plus cooldown tracking and the live enemy-jungle tracker inside the app.
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No sample yet — Locke vs Xerath has no Emerald+ win-rate data for this patch; Locke's plan below claims 2 of the 7 stage windows, so Locke sets the tempo.
Not exactly — Locke's plan claims 2 of the 7 stage windows, so Locke sets the lane's tempo.
Locke runs Electrocute · Sudden Impact · Sixth Sense · Ultimate Hunter · Bone Plating · Revitalize vs Xerath.
Start Doran's Ring + 2 Health Potions and back for Sheen (≈900g) — the Spellblade pattern starts here. Build Lich Bane first, then Shadowflame / Mejai's (if sealing), with Mercury's Treads / Sorcerer's Shoes.
Playing the other side? Xerath vs Locke guide →
All Locke mid lane matchups →
More Locke mid lane matchups: vs Vex · vs Viktor · vs Vladimir · vs Yasuo · vs Yone · vs Zed