Kalista vs Varus ADC Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Kalista

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ADC

Varus

Kalista vs Varus

Confidence highUpdated Jun 7, 2026

Overview

Kalista wins extended trades by stacking (E) through minions and chaining autos with support engage.
Varus controls lane with poke and root threat, forcing Kalista to punish last-hit windows carefully.
The lane turns on Kalista's ability to exploit Varus's immobility and lack of dash during CS moments.

Trading pattern

Step forward to auto Varus during his last-hit animations when support threat is low.
Stack (E) on minions and Varus before committing, then use (Q) to transfer spears through minions.
Avoid trading when (Q) is fully charged and your support cannot follow engage.

Danger windows

Varus's charged (Q) poke combined with support follow-up creates high-risk windows to step forward.
Avoid fighting when slowed or when support cannot follow your engage, as mobility is critical.
Beware of (R) root setup paired with enemy support positioning in brush or river zones.

Early game

Use the first three waves to thin caster minions and create low-health minions for (E) resets.
Punish Varus when he steps up for ranged minions, only if enemy support can't immediately counter.
Coordinate with support to secure level 2-3 all-in windows before Varus can safely charge (Q).

Power spikes

Level 6 (R) turns Kalista's support into an engage tool, enabling forced all-ins and resets.
First attack-speed item spike increases (E) stacking speed, pressuring longer trades and objective control.
Respect Varus's level 6 (R) root as it punishes immobility and can stop your engage attempts.

Win conditions

Convert (E) stacks into kills or forced recalls by punishing Varus's last-hit attempts.
Use (R) to initiate or save fights, enabling support all-ins that snowball lane and secure dragon.
Crash waves after item spikes to take plates and force Varus under turret before dragon fights.