Xerath vs Tahm Kench SUPPORT Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Champion

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Xerath

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Support

Tahm Kench

Xerath vs Tahm Kench

Confidence mediumUpdated Jun 9, 2026

Overview

Use (Q) and (W) to poke and zone Tahm Kench before he stacks passive on your ADC.
Deny Tahm Kench brush control to limit his engage angles and hook follow-up.
Prioritize ADC access and peel since Tahm Kench threatens all-in with (Q) stun and (R).

Trading pattern

Use (Q) poke layered with (W) slow to pressure Tahm Kench and force him to miss passive stacks.
Hold (E) stun defensively to peel Tahm Kench's engage or punish his missed (Q).
Sync poke cooldowns with your ADC's damage to maximize follow-up and punish Tahm Kench's durability cooldowns.

Danger windows

Respect (Q) stun at three stacks; avoid extended trades that let him stack passive.
Watch for (R) engages or saves; position to protect your ADC and avoid isolated picks.
Beware (W) knockup engage when brush or fog-of-war denies your vision and peel timing.

Early game

Win level 2 with your ADC by landing (Q)+(W) poke before Tahm Kench stacks passive.
Keep brush warded and deny Tahm Kench's attempts to build passive stacks through short trades.
Coordinate wave crash timing with your ADC to create safe roam windows and vision control.

Power spikes

Level 6 (R) unlocks long-range follow-up and pick potential; use it to threaten (R).
First completed mana/AP item boosts poke damage, increasing lane pressure and forcing Tahm Kench to play cautiously.
Track Tahm Kench's passive stacks and (R) cooldown to time poke windows and avoid his all-in threat.

Win conditions

Convert poke damage into ADC access denial by zoning Tahm Kench and his ADC from minion waves.
Use vision control around river and dragon to track Tahm Kench's roam timers and prevent picks.
Leverage your ultimate (R) for safe picks or disengages, enabling favorable 2v2 fights and objective setups.