Varus vs Caitlyn ADC Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Varus

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ADC

Caitlyn

Varus vs Caitlyn

Confidence highUpdated Jun 7, 2026

Overview

Varus wins by punishing Caitlyn's last-hit attempts with charged (Q) and (E) slows before she can use (E) to escape.
Control wave near your tower to limit Caitlyn's trap placement and reduce her poke angles.
Caitlyn wins short trades with her longer auto range; Varus must rely on poke and (R) pick setups.

Trading pattern

Step forward to auto and apply blight stacks when Caitlyn commits to low-health minions, only if enemy support can't punish.
Use (E) to slow Caitlyn when she moves for CS, then detonate blight with autos or (Q) for burst trades.
Avoid charging (Q) if (E) is ready and support controls engage zones; wait for (E) cooldown to punish safely.

Danger windows

(E) dash plus (W) root combo creates a strong engage window; avoid charging (Q) when (E) is available.
When Caitlyn's support controls brush or zones aggressively, stepping forward for last-hit punish risks immediate countertrade.
Missing (R) or having it down opens Varus to Caitlyn's all-in and poke pressure; respect this cooldown window.

Early game

Use the first three waves to thin the wave and create angles for charged (Q) without stepping into (E) range.
At level 2, punish Caitlyn's last hits if her support is not threatening, especially on low-health caster minions.
Keep brush warded and watch Caitlyn's trap zones to avoid stepping into (W) setups when charging (Q).

Power spikes

Level 6 (R) adds pick threat and self-peel; hold it to punish Caitlyn stepping up or to disengage her engage.
First completed damage item increases poke damage and wave pressure, enabling safer charged (Q) and objective control.
Objective poke setups become stronger after item spikes; use this to force Caitlyn off plates and dragon vision.

Win conditions

Convert poke damage and (R) catches into health leads to force Caitlyn off waves and deny plates.
Use wave control and poke to secure dragon vision and priority before objectives.
Scale into mid-game teamfights where Varus's mixed damage and pick threat outvalue Caitlyn's range advantage.