In the current meta, Varus is often used to support other physical carries like Draven and Aphelios. However, top players from Teamfight Tactics in China have discovered that Varus can also be an exceptionally strong carry in the Archer – Celestial team composition. Using a less popular unit like Varus as a carry also helps you avoid competing for key pieces with other players.
The ideal start for this composition is to have Varus and Vayne to hit the 2 Archer threshold early. In the front line, you can choose Leona and Aatrox at level 4 to activate the 3 Celestial threshold alongside Varus. By level 5, you can add Nautilus or Poppy to gain the damage reduction effect from the Knight trait. This will help your composition be sturdy enough to survive the early game phase.
As you progress to the mid-game, you need to accumulate 50 gold and level up to 7 as quickly as possible. After that, you should roll slowly to find a 3-star Varus and reach the 4 Archer threshold. With rolling a lot at level 7, acquiring Aphelios and Ashe shouldn’t be too difficult. If you’re lucky enough to buy Rell, you can use this unit to replace Aatrox.
Additionally, you should pay attention and purchase valuable 3-cost units like Morgana and Lux. These two units will activate the Mystic trait and provide a certain amount of magic resistance to your team. Moreover, Lux also adds a shield and considerable magic damage right from 1-star level. Morgana’s role will be to control and prevent threats to your carry.
Moving into the late game, the most valuable upgrade is Kindred, as this unit will ensure your carries survive long enough to deal maximum damage. This unit also activates the 3 Mystic threshold and provides your composition with a lot of magic resistance. This stat is crucial for winning against teams centered around Karma and Vel’Koz.
You can also use Syndra and Ivern in the late game to add more crowd control capabilities. Essentially, Syndra with her ability “Force of Will” is a strong counter against Assassin units. You should consider this option if your opponents have a strong LeBlanc or Katarina that could quickly take down your Archers.
Regarding item builds, you should prioritize Infinity Edge and Glove of Thievery for Varus so that this champion can deal substantial damage with both basic attacks and abilities. For the third item, you should opt for Guinsoo’s Rageblade to increase Varus’s attack speed and output damage.
Alternatively, you can also choose a different build for Varus with Runaan’s Hurricane, Bow of the Green, and Hand of Justice. This style will allow Varus to deal damage and reduce armor to multiple targets while continuously benefiting from the stats provided by Hand of Justice. Additionally, this item build also enhances the damage output of other Archer units in the late game.
