Xerath vs Taliyah MID Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Xerath

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Mid

Taliyah

Xerath vs Taliyah

Updated Jun 1, 2026

Overview

Xerath is a long-range artillery mage who must use Q and W to pressure and deny Taliyah safe wave control.
Maintain lane pressure to prevent Taliyah from setting up her W and E zones and limit her roam opportunities.

Trading pattern

Poke with Q and W from max range, using W slows to land Q more reliably.
Respect Taliyah's W and E cooldowns; when they are down, step up for safer trades.
Hold E for guaranteed stuns only to avoid losing lane pressure if missed.

Danger windows

Be wary when Taliyah's W and E are up as she can displace and zone you, threatening all-ins.
After missing E or W, Xerath can safely punish Taliyah's reduced threat window.
Position carefully to avoid being flanked or forced into close combat where Xerath struggles.

Early game

Use Q and W to poke early and keep Taliyah at a distance before she can safely commit with W and E.
Hold E defensively to punish Taliyah's W displacement attempts or to peel if she tries to engage.
Avoid overextending since Xerath is immobile and vulnerable to Taliyah's medium mobility and displacement.

Power spikes

Xerath's major spikes are level 6 R and first completed mana/AP item, increasing poke and kill pressure.
Respect Taliyah's level 6 R for increased map pressure and her first mage item for better wave control.
Minor spike at Taliyah level 3 when she gains full Q-W-E combo potential, so be cautious early.

Win conditions

Win by consistently landing Q and W poke to control lane and prevent Taliyah from safely using W and E.
Use E to punish Taliyah's aggressive moves or to peel when she tries to engage.
Post level 6, leverage R for long-range pressure and map influence to extend lead and deny Taliyah's roam impact.