TFTraits// Recommended builds
The best trait and item combination at every level, 2 stars, by DPS.
401DPS
Rapidfire 4
441DPS483DPS
Inferno 5532DPS532DPS// Top items
What each item adds on its own, in DPS, with no other item.
Guinsoo's Rageblade+66
Blue Buff+62Deathblade+57
Red Buff+54
Quicksilver+53
Spear of Shojin+49
Kraken's Fury+47Infinity Edge+47
Giant Slayer+47
Adaptive Helm+43
Nashor's Tooth+40
Void Staff+39Builds by level
Every combination of Varus's own traits that a comp of the chosen level can reach, ranked by the DPS of its best 3-item build against three dummies with the team's shred, sunder and burn already on them. Numbers open the DPS Calculator with the same inputs. Levels 4 to 7 only use champions you can find at that level: up to 2-costs at level 4, 3-costs at levels 5 and 6, 4-costs at level 7.
No comp at this level can field Varus.
// Cast timeline
From the mana bar filling until mana can come in again. No mana comes in during this time.
0/110- attack animation
- attack lands
- attack recovery
- cast window (mana locked)
First cast at 15.20 s with 0.75 attacks per second. Items, traits and damage taken change the mana pace; the cast, effect and channel windows do not.
Step by step, in words
- Mana reaches 110/110: the cast starts and the mana lock goes on (no mana from attacks, ticks or damage taken).
- 0.00 to 2.00 s: cast window. The unit plays its cast animation and its return to idle; it cannot auto attack.
- 2.00 s: unlock. Mana starts again (overflow kept) and a fresh attack starts from zero; it lands at 2.17 s at base attack speed (the attack delay is 12% of the attack animation).
- Attack loop: the attack lands at 12% of the attack animation (mana granted) and unlocks at 40%; a cast that becomes possible at the landing starts at that unlock point, cutting the rest of the attack.
- Mana gain: 7 per attack and 2 per second; combat starts at 0/110.
- Overflow is banked: mana past 110 from attacks or regen is kept through the cast (108/110 plus 7 casts and comes back with 5). Same rule for every champion; only the amounts differ by role.
Infinity EdgeKraken's FuryGiant Slayer1-cost ranged AD Caster (game role tag, range 4). As the comp's damage dealer it takes the best calculated damage items. Mana lock 2.00 s per cast against a 15.3 s fill (12% locked). Casts per minute at base speed 3.5; with Spear of Shojin 5.3, Blue Buff 5.4, a +45% attack speed item 4.4. Blue Buff and Spear of Shojin are within 2% of each other, so either keeps the loop rolling; the default mana-per-attack set stays.
Last WhisperRed BuffDeathblade1-cost ranged AD Caster (game role tag, range 4). When another champion carries, it holds the team Shred/Sunder and Burn items. Mana lock 2.00 s per cast against a 15.3 s fill (12% locked). Casts per minute at base speed 3.5; with Spear of Shojin 5.3, Blue Buff 5.4, a +45% attack speed item 4.4. Blue Buff and Spear of Shojin are within 2% of each other, so either keeps the loop rolling; the default mana-per-attack set stays. One Sunder item and one Burn item for the team, plus the third item that adds the most calculated damage for Varus (283 DPS at 2 stars against three 2-star tanks). Ionic Spark, Evenshroud and Sunfire Cape are left out: at range 4 their aura would not reach the enemies.
Void StaffRed BuffDeathblade1-cost ranged AD Caster (game role tag, range 4). It can hold the team Shred and Burn items for an AP comp; its own AD damage does not profit from the debuff. Mana lock 2.00 s per cast against a 15.3 s fill (12% locked). Casts per minute at base speed 3.5; with Spear of Shojin 5.3, Blue Buff 5.4, a +45% attack speed item 4.4. Blue Buff and Spear of Shojin are within 2% of each other, so either keeps the loop rolling; the default mana-per-attack set stays. One Shred item and one Burn item for the team, plus the third item that adds the most calculated damage for Varus (241 DPS at 2 stars against three 2-star tanks). Ionic Spark, Evenshroud and Sunfire Cape are left out: at range 4 their aura would not reach the enemies.