Xayah is a feather-mechanic ADC. Her autos leave feathers on the ground, and E recalls them — rooting anyone hit by 3+. R makes her untargetable. She's safe, has CC, and deals great DPS.
Abilities
Skills Overview
P
Clean Cuts
Passive
After using an ability, Xayah's next basic attacks will hit all targets along their path and leave a Feather.
Clean Cuts: after casting, next 3 autos throw feathers that remain on the ground.
Q
Double Daggers
Skillshot · Feathers
Xayah throws two damaging daggers that also drop Feathers she can recall.
CD: 10/9.5/9/8.5/8 · Cost: 35
Q throws 2 feathers forward. They stay on the ground for E recall.
W
Deadly Plumage
AS Steroid · Feathers
Xayah creates a storm of blades that increase her Attack Speed and damage while also granting her Move Speed if she attacks a champion.
CD: 18/17/16/15/14 · Cost: 60/55/50/45/40
W gives AS steroid and makes autos throw feathers. Essential for DPS.
E
Bladecaller
Feather Recall · Root
Xayah calls back all her dropped Feathers dealing damage and rooting enemies.
CD: 12/11/10/9/8 · Cost: 20
E recalls ALL feathers. Enemies hit by 3+ feathers are ROOTED. Position feathers behind enemies.
R
Featherstorm
Untargetable · AoE · Feathers
Xayah leaps into the air becoming untargetable and throwing out a fan of daggers, dropping Feathers she can recall.
CD: 140/120/100 · Cost: 100
R makes you untargetable and throws feathers. Use to dodge abilities and set up E root.
Skill Leveling Order — Max E first, then Q, then W · R at 6 / 11 / 16
| Level | Q | W | E | R | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Take Q | ||||
| 2 | Take W — AS + feathers | ||||
| 3 | Take E — recall feathers | ||||
| 4 | Level E | ||||
| 5 | Level E | ||||
| 6 | R — Featherstorm | ||||
| 7 | Level E | ||||
| 8 | Level Q | ||||
| 9 | E maxed ✓ | ||||
| 10 | Level Q | ||||
| 11 | R rank 2 | ||||
| 12 | Level Q | ||||
| 13 | Level Q | ||||
| 14 | Q maxed ✓ | ||||
| 15 | Level W | ||||
| 16 | R rank 3 | ||||
| 17 | Level W | ||||
| 18 | W maxed ✓ |
Itemization
Recommended Builds
Core Build
Kraken Slayer
True damage with W AS steroid.
3100g
Berserker's Greaves
AS.
1100g
Phantom Dancer
AS + MS for kiting.
2600g
Infinity Edge
Feather recall crits.
3400g
Situational
Lord Dominik's Regards
Armor pen.
2900g
Bloodthirster
Lifesteal.
3400g
Guardian Angel
Revive.
3200g
Kraken → PD → IE. W + autos lay feathers, E recalls for root + burst.
Runes
Precision Primary
Lethal Tempo
Stacking AS with W for more feathers.
Triumph
Heal on takedown.
Legend: Alacrity
AS.
Coup de Grace
Execute.
Domination Secondary
Taste of Blood
Sustain.
Treasure Hunter
Gold.
Shards
Attack Speed · Adaptive Force · Health
Gameplay
How to Play Xayah
01
Early Game
Feather Positioning, E Root
- Auto through enemies so feathers land behind them. E recalls for root.
- Q → auto → auto → E = 3-feather root in lane trades.
- W AS steroid for all-ins. Activate before fighting.
- R dodges everything. Save it for the enemy's biggest ability.
- Feathers on the ground are your threat. Enemies walk past them = E root.
02
Mid Game
R Outplays, E Roots
- R → E is your main combo. R for untargetability + feathers → E recalls for root.
- W + autos lay feathers rapidly. More feathers = wider E root zone.
- Position so feathers are between you and the enemy.
- R dodges critical ultimates: Zed R, Syndra R, Karthus R, etc.
- E root sets up your team's follow-up CC. Ping before E-ing.
03
Late Game
Feather Root Machine
- E root on 3+ enemies wins teamfights. Position feathers behind enemy clusters.
- R → E combo: R drops feathers through the team → E recalls for AoE root.
- W + auto → feather carpet → E = devastating AoE damage + CC.
- R untargetability makes you the safest ADC during assassin dives.
- Feather positioning is everything. Auto through enemies, not at them.
Teamfighting
How to Teamfight as Xayah
Xayah lays feathers through the enemy team, then E recalls for a devastating root + burst.
1
Lay Feathers — W + Autos
Setup
01
W for AS steroid.
02
Auto through enemies — feathers land behind them.
03
Q adds 2 more feathers.
Feathers land in the direction you're auto-attacking FROM. Position so feathers end up behind the enemy.
2
Root — E Recall
CC + damage
01
E recalls all feathers.
02
3+ feathers through an enemy = ROOT.
03
Enemies can't dodge feathers from behind them.
3
Survive — R Untargetable
Safety
01
R when burst is incoming. You're untargetable.
02
R drops feathers through enemies.
03
E immediately after R for guaranteed root.
R → E combo: R makes you untargetable and drops feathers through the enemy team. E immediately after R landing for a guaranteed 5-man root.
Tips & Tricks
Advanced Mechanics & Hidden Tech
Advanced mechanics for Xayah.
Basic
Feather Positioning
Auto THROUGH enemies so feathers land behind them. E recall pulls feathers back, hitting them on the return.
Intermediate
3-Feather Root
E roots enemies hit by 3+ feathers. Q (2 feathers) + 1 auto = 3 feathers for instant root.
Basic
R Untargetable
R makes you untargetable for 1.5 seconds. Use it to dodge Zed R, Syndra R, or any lethal ability.
Advanced
R → E Combo
R drops feathers through the enemy team. E immediately after landing for a massive AoE root.
Basic
W Before Fighting
W gives massive AS and makes autos throw feathers. Always activate before trading.
Intermediate
Feather Carpet
In extended fights, feathers pile up on the ground. One E recall through a carpet of 10+ feathers = instant root + massive damage.
Matchups
Counters & Matchups
Xayah struggles against long-range poke she can't feather-root. She excels against divers who walk through her feathers.
Click any matchup to expand tips & how to play against them
Loses Against
Caitlyn outranges your feather setup. She never walks past your feathers.
Q poke. All-in at 6 with R.
Ezreal E blinks away from E root.
Wait for his E cooldown, then E root.
Jhin outranges and W roots you.
R dodge his W. All-in when 4th shot is used.
Wins Against
Draven walks into your feathers trying to trade. Free root.
Let him walk past your feathers, then E root.
Lucian dashes through your feathers. Free root.
He literally E dashes into your feather carpet. E root.
Samira dashes through you = through your feathers. Root.
She always dashes in. Feathers are already behind her. E root.