Guide Sections (15)
Champion Stats
Patch 26.4 Update: Lux received changes this patch. Check the full patch 26.4 notes for details.
Players in Bronze/Silver move in straight lines. Landing Q (Light Binding) is trivially easy. Once hit, they are dead. You can control the entire river with your E (Lucent Singularity) vision and zoning. You punish their lack of vision control by one-shotting them every time they facecheck a brush. Furthermore, her waveclear allows you to stall out bad games indefinitely until the enemy throws.
The Binding Snare
Start E. Throw it directly on the caster minions + the enemy champion. Don't pop it immediately—let the slow annoy them, walk up, Auto (proc Passive), then Pop E, then Auto again. This E-Auto-E-Auto trade executes half their HP bar. Most players retreat immediately, giving you level 2 priority.
Your Q can hit two targets. Use the first hit on a minion to catch the champion behind it. They'll think they're safe behind the wave until the light binds them. It's the oldest trick in the book but it still works in Emerald.
Ranking Lux's Skins
'Elementalist Lux' is pay-to-win because the particle effects change throughout the game, confusing enemies who get used to one color. The 'Storm' form Q looks very similar to the E projectile. 'Dark Cosmic' has a very subtle Q animation that is harder to dodge. 'Steel Legion' has buggy animations that make the Q look misleadingly small.
'Pyjama Guardian' is the sleeper 'sweat' skin. The animations are surprisingly smooth and the Q is very clear for you to track. If you want the pro feel without the Elementalist price tag, this is it.
When They Ban Lux
Xerath pokes harder. Vel'Koz melts tanks. Seraphine has a better teamfight ult. Xerath is the choice if you just want to snipe people.
Xerath for the artillery snipe. Vel'Koz for the true damage. Seraphine for the teamfight ult. Xerath is the male version of Lux.
Lux's Keystone Choice
Arcane Comet is standard for reliable poke. First Strike is valid for generating massive gold leads if you can land Q confirm combos. Absolute Focus + Gathering Storm is mandatory secondary—you need to scale into a one-shot threat. Ultimate Hunter or Treasure Hunter in Domination secondary is solid for snowballing.
Skill Max Order for Lux
Max E first for waveclear and poke damage. It is your primary zoning tool. Q second to lower the cooldown on your catch potential. W last because you are a carry, not a shielder (unless playing Support, but even then... damage is best peel).
Mastering Lux's Kit
Light Binding hits TWO targets. Use a minion as a bridge to snare the champion behind it. They usually feel safe behind one minion—punish that false security.
Prismatic Barrier shields on the way OUT and IN. Throw it towards where your ally is GOING to run, not where they are. It shields twice.
Lucent Singularity gives VISION. Throw it into a bush to check for campers. Leave it on the ground in a choke point to slow enemies and zone them; you don't always have to pop it immediately.
Final Spark triggers and consumes your Passive marks. Ideally land Q -> E -> R -> Pop E. The R will proc the passive from Q and E, dealing massive burst. R has a short windup; you can Flash during it to reposition, but the beam won't move.
The Lux Matchup Sheet
Hard Counter. Hold Q until he uses E. If you throw Q and he E's over it, you are dead. Poke him heavily level 1 and 2.
Annoying. His Windwall blocks EVERYTHING (Q, W, E, R?). Wait, R goes through Windwall? No, R is a laser, not a projectile. R goes THROUGH Windwall. Your Q/E/W do not. Auto attack his shield off before using spells.
Skill Matchup. You outrange her. Do not let her get in Flash-R range. Poke her down so she can't engage.
Ult Snipe Addiction
You are immobile. If you miss Q when an assassin jumps on you, you are dead. Do not walk into unwarded river alone. Do not facecheck bushes. You have long range—USE IT. Standing in melee range to land an auto-attack passive proc in a teamfight is a great way to die. Stay back.
Do not go for the long-range R unless they are CC'd or in a choke point. Missing your R makes you a meme. Also, stand back! You have 1000 range, use it. If you're in auto-attack range of their Bruiser, you've already lost. Lux is an artillery piece, not a front-liner.
When They Outrange You
Dodge if facing Fizz or Zed. They can dodge your Q with mobility and dive you easily. Fizz E makes your entire kit useless. Zed R dodges your snare. If you miss execution on them, you die.
Fizz and Zed are your permabans. They'll dodge your snare and delete you. If you're forced into these lanes, buy Zhonya's first item and just farm. Don't even try to kill them. Just stay alive and wait for teamfights where you can stay safe.
The Backline Artillery
Stand behind your ADC (yes, really). Throw E to zone off choke points. Fish for Qs on anyone who steps up. If you hit a squishy with Q, immediately R-E-E2 to delete them. If you hit a tank, just peel back. Use W to shield your entire team from AoE damage. Your goal is to make the enemy afraid to walk through any narrow corridor.
Your job is to catch one person with Q. If you hit Q, the game is 4v5. Use E to slow their path and R to delete. W is for the team—don't just shield yourself. In teamfights, stay in the back and just spam E and Q. You are the annoying light that never goes out.
The Full AP Lux Build
Mejai's Soulstealer Rush. Lux is the safest stack holder in the game. Get 10 stacks, buy Rabadons. At 25 stacks, you move incredibly fast and one-shot non-tanks with just E-R. It puts a massive target on your back, but that's part of the fun.
Luden's into Shadowflame is the core. Mejai's is a must if you have 2+ kills. At 25 stacks, you can one-shot most ADCs with just E-R. It's glorious. Avoid building tanky—your 'tankiness' is your range and your snare. If they reach you, you're dead anyway.
When Lux Comes Online
Level 6. Your full combo (Q-E-R) deals ~70-80% of a squishy's HP. If poke them once with E beforehand, the combo is lethal. Luden's Companion completion is your waveclear spike—you one-shot caster minions, allowing you to roam.
Level 6 is your first 'God' window. With Luden's, you start one-shotting waves, which gives you the roam timer. Lux is a mid-game monster who can solo-carry from the Support role. End the game before the enemy starts buying 3 Banshee's Veils.
Level 6 Laser. Luden's Completion. Level 11 R reset mechanic (if applicable/low CD). Late game R cooldown is 20 seconds. Fish for snipes constantly.
The Cross-Map Snipe
Bind them under tower. Ult them under turn. Text 'Light 'em up!' in all chat. Use the laugh emote (it plays arguably the most annoying sound in the game) constantly. Spam R on the wave just to clear it; the low cooldown makes enemies feel like you are cheating.
Pinging the enemy's respawn timer after a cross-map R kill is the ultimate Lux BM. Type 'Watch the light!' in all-chat. Lux is the queen of the one-shot montage—make sure yours is the best.
Recent Patch History
Recent Balance Changes
| Patch | Date | Type | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| V26.4 | Feb 19, 2026 | BUFF | Q, W mana, CD buffed |
| V14.7 | Apr 3, 2024 | BUFF | P buffed, Q buffed |
| V14.2 | Jan 24, 2024 | ADJUST | Q adjusted |
| V13.17 | Aug 30, 2023 | BUFF | P buffed, Q buffed, Base stats nerfed |
| V13.14 | Jul 19, 2023 | ADJUST | and adjusted |
| V12.14 | Jul 27, 2022 | ADJUST | Q adjusted, W adjusted |
