Anivia vs Xayah ADC Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Anivia

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Xayah

Anivia vs Xayah

Confidence mediumUpdated Jun 7, 2026

Overview

This lane turns on punishing Xayah's last-hit approach through (Q) and (E) poke windows.
Anivia wins extended trades with (R) zoning and waveclear, but Xayah can out DPS short trades if feathers are set.
Hold wave near your side to deny Xayah safe feather placement and reduce her root threat.

Trading pattern

Punish Xayah's last-hit animations on caster minions with (Q) + auto when enemy support cannot immediately trade back.
Use (W) to block retreat paths, forcing Xayah into (Q) for stun combos.
Avoid trading when Xayah has feathers set behind you or (R) is available to dodge your engage.

Danger windows

Respect (E) root when she combos through feathers; avoid stepping into feather lines without support backup.
Avoid all-ins when (R) is up as she can dodge your key (Q) stun and counter-engage.
Beware enemy support controlling brush or engage zones that prevent safe last-hit punish attempts.

Early game

Use early waves to thin caster minions and punish Xayah stepping for CS when support is out of zone.
Avoid walking into feather lines; hold (W) to block paths and force Xayah into (Q) stuns.
Level 2 is weak for all-ins; focus on last-hit punishment and wave control to set up post-6 plays.

Power spikes

After level 6 and first mana/AP item, Anivia can safely farm and pressure waves with (R) zoning, limiting Xayah's engage.
Xayah's level 6 (R) forces you to respect her untargetability; bait it before committing to trades.
Post first item, increase pressure on waves and punish Xayah's dash cooldown to deny her feather setup.

Win conditions

Convert lane pressure into crashing waves to deny Xayah plates and force early recalls.
Use (R) to zone during dragon setup, forcing Xayah to choose between safe farm or objective contest.
Scale into teamfights where your zoning and burst punish Xayah's positioning and limit her DPS impact.