Varus vs Draven ADC Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Champion

Opponent

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Varus

VS

ADC

Draven

Varus vs Draven

Confidence highUpdated Jun 7, 2026

Overview

This lane turns on who controls wave state to land (Q) poke before Draven can cash in axes.
Varus wins extended trades with blight stacks and (E) slow; Draven dominates short trades with axe autos.
Hold (R) for pick threat or peel to punish Draven's limited mobility and all-in windows.

Trading pattern

Punish Draven's last-hit autos when he catches axes by stepping forward with auto + (W) blight stacks.
Only punish last hits if enemy support is too far forward or lacks immediate engage to countertrade.
Use (E) to slow Draven when he's locked into CS animations, then detonate blight stacks for burst trades.

Danger windows

Respect (Q) axe autos combined with (E) slow when enemy support controls brush or engage zones.
Avoid charging (Q) when (R) is down, as Draven's all-in threat rises without your root peel.
Be cautious when Draven has active axes and enemy support can immediately follow trades or engage.

Early game

Use the first three waves to thin the wave and create angled (Q) poke windows outside Draven's axe catch zones.
Avoid charging (Q) near Draven when his (E) is available to interrupt or when enemy support threatens engage.
Position to punish Draven stepping up for caster minion CS if enemy support cannot punish your step forward.

Power spikes

Level 6 (R) adds pick threat and peel; hold it to punish Draven's all-in or support engage.
First completed damage item strengthens poke and auto trades, enabling safer wave pressure before dragon.
Use item spike to force Draven off axes catch zones, denying his early kill pressure and snowball potential.

Win conditions

Convert poke and blight stack trades into health leads that force Draven recalls or missed CS.
Crash waves after item spikes to deny Draven plates and secure dragon vision control.
Use (R) pick threat with support follow-up to create kills or force Draven off the wave before objectives.