Varus - League of Legends Champion
Win Rate
47.6%
Pick Rate
3.7%

Varusvs Caitlyn

FMarksmanMage
Patch26.3
Matches785,220
LaneAll Lanes
TierAll Tiers
Last UpdatedFeb 27, 2026
MethodologyData Methodology

Varus vs Caitlyn is a moderate matchup in LoL patch 26.3. Caitlyn wins with a 52.1% win rate (+4.1%) over Varus based on 436 games. Caitlyn holds the advantage in both the early and late game. Below you'll find the best Varus build, runes, laning stats, and strategies for the Varus vs Caitlyn matchup.

Varus Matchup Breakdown

Use the dropdown to select an opponent and see a detailed breakdown of how Varus performs against them. You'll get head-to-head win rates, laning stats, the best build and runes for the matchup, and early vs late game analysis — all based on real ranked data.

Compare against an opponent
Caitlyn - 47.9% win rateCaitlyn(47.9%)
Varus - 47.9% win rate in this matchup
Varus
47.9% WR
VS
Caitlyn vs Varus matchup - 52.1% win rate
Caitlyn
52.1% WR

Who Wins the Varus vs Caitlyn Matchup?

Caitlyn wins the Varus vs Caitlyn matchup
Winner
Caitlyn
Matches: 436
47.9%
Win Rate
52.1%
6.3
CS / min
6.7
860
DMG / min
830
13,379
Gold / game
13,458
138
Heal / min
179
366
DMG Mitigated / min
378
1.0
CC / min
0.6
49.8%
Early Game WR
50.3%
46.4%
Late Game WR
53.6%

Varus vs Caitlyn Matchup Summary

The Varus vs Caitlyn matchup is a moderate matchup in League of Legends ranked play. Based on 436 recent matches analyzed, Caitlyn wins with a 52.1% win rate compared to Varus's 47.9%, giving Caitlyn a 4.1 percentage point advantage. Caitlyn dominates at every stage — from early laning through late game team fights. This consistent advantage makes it difficult for Varus players to find favorable windows, so team-dependent strategies and avoiding solo confrontations are essential. The most significant statistical gap is in crowd control, where Varus leads by 0.3s CC/min — a difference that heavily influences the outcome of trades and skirmishes. While Caitlyn is slightly favored, Varus can absolutely win this lane through smart trading patterns and wave management. Focus on playing around your cooldowns, conceding CS only when necessary, and capitalizing on Caitlyn's mistakes. Understanding these matchup dynamics is essential for champion select decisions and in-game strategy when facing this lane opponent.

Varus vs Caitlyn Laning Phase Breakdown

Caitlyn wins the laning phase against Varus in League of Legends

Caitlyn is favored during the laning phase against Varus, winning 3 out of 5 key stat categories. Caitlyn holds advantages in farming, gold income and sustain, making them the stronger laner in this matchup.

Farming
6.3Varus
6.7Caitlyn
Caitlyn edges out Varus by 0.4 CS per minute — a moderate farming advantage that adds up to roughly 6 CS over a 15-minute laning phase. This translates to earlier component purchases and slightly faster power spikes for Caitlyn.
Damage
860Varus
830Caitlyn
Damage output is virtually even between Varus and Caitlyn, with only 30 DMG/min separating them. Fights in this matchup are decided more by ability timing and positioning than raw damage numbers, making mechanical skill the deciding factor in trades.
Economy
13,379Varus
13,458Caitlyn
Varus and Caitlyn generate nearly equal gold per game, with just a 79 gold difference. Neither champion has a clear economic advantage, so gold leads will depend on individual play quality, kill participation, and objective contributions.
Utility
1.0Varus
0.6Caitlyn
Varus provides 0.3 seconds more crowd control per minute than Caitlyn, offering better gank setup potential and slightly more team fight utility. This CC advantage helps Varus coordinate with their jungler and control the pace of skirmishes.
Sustain
503Varus
557Caitlyn
Caitlyn heals and mitigates 53 more damage per minute than Varus, providing moderate extra durability. This sustain edge allows Caitlyn to stay in lane longer between recalls and gradually win extended wars of attrition. Consider building early grievous wounds if playing Varus.

Early Game vs Late Game

Early Game
Caitlyn
50.3%
+0.5% advantage
Varus early game win rateVarus49.8%
Caitlyn early game win rateCaitlyn50.3%
Late Game
Caitlyn
53.6%
+7.1% advantage
Varus late game win rateVarus46.4%
Caitlyn late game win rateCaitlyn53.6%

The early game (first 15 minutes) is a toss-up between Varus and Caitlyn, with Caitlyn holding a razor-thin 50.3% win rate edge (+0.5%). Individual skill and jungle proximity will matter more than champion advantage in the early laning phase.

Caitlyn is far superior in the late game (25+ minutes), boasting a 53.6% win rate — 7.1 points above Varus. Extended games heavily favor Caitlyn, whose kit and scaling make them a dominant force in team fights and objective control.

Caitlyn holds the advantage at every stage of the game, making this a consistently favorable matchup from lane through late game team fights. Varus players should look for outplays, team-dependent strategies, and picks rather than relying on scaling to win this matchup.

Best Varus Runes Against Caitlyn

Sorcery rune tree - Varus primary runes vs CaitlynSorcery
Arcane Comet - best Varus rune vs CaitlynManaflow Band - best Varus rune vs CaitlynTranscendence - best Varus rune vs CaitlynScorch - best Varus rune vs Caitlyn
Inspiration rune tree - Varus secondary runes vs CaitlynInspiration
Triple Tonic - best Varus rune vs CaitlynCash Back - best Varus rune vs Caitlyn
52.2% WR

The Sorcery and Inspiration rune setup gives Varus the best tools to compete against Caitlyn in this difficult matchup, compensating for the statistical disadvantages with optimal rune synergies.


Varus matchup data for League of Legends patch 26.3. The table below shows Varus's win rate, gold difference, and performance stats against every champion in the current meta. Click any champion name to see a detailed head-to-head breakdown including the best Varus build, runes, laning stats, and early vs late game analysis for that specific matchup.

Varus matchup win rates and stats in League of Legends patch 26.3
Opponent
Win Rate
Matches
CS/min
DMG/min
Gold/game
Early WR
Late WR
47.94%4366.386013,37949.8%46.4%
46.79%2816.487513,98751.6%43.0%
48.39%2796.188814,25850.9%46.8%
46.05%2156.387213,25841.7%49.6%
51.79%1956.494514,61059.5%46.5%
49.37%1586.487913,31947.1%51.1%
54.30%1516.080013,58860.3%50.0%
47.65%1496.794913,63845.3%50.0%
44.44%1446.084413,07345.5%43.6%
45.99%1376.284912,60351.4%39.7%
48.85%1316.790013,55758.0%38.7%
45.63%1036.488313,40649.0%42.6%
51.49%1016.891113,68263.6%42.1%
47.83%926.487013,12456.5%39.1%
41.76%916.390713,27943.5%40.0%
48.84%866.598012,73154.5%45.3%
52.50%806.01,00013,95451.6%53.1%
50.65%776.282212,89651.6%50.0%
49.33%756.189813,49255.3%43.2%
53.52%716.51,21111,30851.3%56.3%
40.85%715.879012,08754.8%30.0%
48.57%706.486413,78354.0%42.4%
39.68%635.91,00213,23550.0%33.3%
42.62%616.387312,57040.9%43.6%
51.79%566.289512,32247.8%54.5%
42.86%565.999412,20845.8%40.6%
38.89%546.11,02013,68032.0%44.8%
45.28%535.993511,55145.8%44.8%
40.38%526.087313,53842.9%38.7%
52.00%506.21,10712,67348.0%56.0%
48.00%506.389311,61251.6%42.1%
36.73%496.287511,83330.4%42.3%
44.90%496.697414,97445.5%44.7%
41.30%466.51,11613,32940.9%41.7%
44.44%456.01,14013,08026.7%53.3%
53.49%436.31,05612,63268.4%41.7%
58.14%436.587514,34153.3%60.7%
42.86%426.689313,80434.8%52.6%
38.10%426.596112,02550.0%22.2%
51.22%416.21,08912,94956.3%48.0%
46.34%416.386511,77542.1%50.0%
42.50%406.283313,76752.6%33.3%
34.21%386.588312,27931.8%37.5%
51.35%376.21,06113,06046.1%54.2%
43.24%376.296113,85418.2%53.9%
45.95%376.11,05712,10371.4%30.4%
47.22%366.076112,82638.5%52.2%
47.22%366.593312,81241.7%50.0%
50.00%346.388813,58155.6%48.0%
47.06%346.399312,91950.0%45.8%
42.42%336.386414,15372.7%27.3%
45.16%316.686514,12663.6%35.0%
54.84%315.889513,65863.6%50.0%
41.94%316.090713,06336.4%45.0%
46.67%306.278911,77446.1%47.1%
44.83%296.51,04914,48230.0%52.6%
75.00%286.692711,03073.7%77.8%
42.86%286.088312,26660.0%23.1%
40.74%276.190411,32764.3%15.4%
37.04%276.189913,81340.0%35.3%
48.15%275.61,19513,00460.0%41.2%
42.31%265.97999,83821.4%66.7%
50.00%266.193511,84254.5%46.7%
48.00%256.484511,20546.7%50.0%
62.50%246.385212,73858.3%66.7%
65.22%236.077811,36466.7%63.6%
59.09%226.397914,83063.6%54.5%
40.00%205.975511,52240.0%40.0%
60.00%207.092112,28650.0%75.0%
20.00%206.491812,60116.7%21.4%
55.00%206.488012,74566.7%45.5%
52.63%196.088611,30954.5%50.0%
47.37%196.888612,21233.3%60.0%
50.00%186.679611,60733.3%66.7%
50.00%186.31,01812,28550.0%50.0%
38.89%186.192213,09050.0%33.3%
52.94%176.095312,16355.6%50.0%
23.53%175.989012,62933.3%18.2%
47.06%176.287912,56771.4%30.0%
37.50%166.088512,85540.0%36.4%
18.75%166.496013,07016.7%20.0%
37.50%166.086612,59137.5%37.5%
33.33%155.485012,31128.6%37.5%
53.33%155.986111,07355.6%50.0%
46.67%156.994812,93846.1%50.0%
80.00%156.51,19612,92775.0%85.7%
26.67%156.383411,62237.5%14.3%
35.71%145.81,01713,64966.7%27.3%
46.15%136.189112,08150.0%42.9%
53.85%136.579311,51566.7%42.9%
38.46%135.777311,25357.1%16.7%
66.67%125.298611,89680.0%57.1%
58.33%126.71,21113,940100.0%16.7%
83.33%125.588311,507100.0%66.7%
27.27%115.980213,5920.0%33.3%
36.36%116.51,03813,03360.0%16.7%
50.00%105.993812,33833.3%75.0%
50.00%106.586411,28766.7%25.0%
40.00%105.181813,16225.0%50.0%
55.56%96.385612,24366.7%50.0%
77.78%96.299616,187100.0%66.7%
33.33%96.283916,0530.0%33.3%
44.44%95.391112,46525.0%60.0%
66.67%96.693613,76660.0%75.0%
62.50%85.799813,63566.7%60.0%
50.00%85.188813,356100.0%42.9%
37.50%86.493615,15850.0%33.3%
75.00%86.991913,07675.0%75.0%
57.14%76.983710,87250.0%66.7%
50.00%65.17539,83150.0%50.0%
66.67%66.699613,74766.7%66.7%
33.33%66.583213,72650.0%25.0%
50.00%64.496114,56650.0%50.0%
50.00%65.31,02611,25950.0%50.0%
20.00%56.283410,34650.0%0.0%
80.00%56.183510,808100.0%66.7%
60.00%56.085214,70450.0%66.7%
80.00%56.476410,26466.7%100.0%
100.00%52.684911,426100.0%100.0%
40.00%55.775210,44525.0%100.0%
40.00%55.31,10511,61925.0%100.0%
0.00%54.98388,7880.0%0.0%
🔍

Help us maintain accuracy! If you notice incorrect stats, missing data, or any issues, your feedback directly improves the quality of our data for the entire community.

Report an Issue

Varus vs Caitlyn - Frequently Asked Questions

How does Varus do against Caitlyn in League of Legends?

Caitlyn wins the Varus vs Caitlyn matchup with a 52.1% win rate compared to Varus's 47.9%, a 4.1 percentage point difference. This data is based on 436 recent ranked games in patch 26.3.

How does Varus do against Caitlyn in the early game?

In the early game, Caitlyn has the advantage against Varus with a 50.3% win rate versus 49.8%. Caitlyn players should look to press their lane advantage through aggressive trades and wave control during the first 15 minutes.

How does Varus do against Caitlyn in the late game?

In the late game, Caitlyn takes over the Varus vs Caitlyn matchup with a 53.6% win rate compared to 46.4%. Caitlyn scales better into team fights and objective contests after 25 minutes.

Who wins the Varus vs Caitlyn matchup?

Caitlyn wins the matchup against Varus with a 52.1% win rate in League of Legends patch 26.3. The 4.1 percentage point advantage means Caitlyn is moderately favored in this lane matchup based on 436 games analyzed.

What is the best Varus build against Caitlyn?

The best Varus build against Caitlyn includes optimized core items. Check the matchup breakdown above for the full item path and build order.

What are the best Varus runes against Caitlyn?

The best Varus runes against Caitlyn use the Sorcery primary tree with Inspiration secondary. This rune setup achieves a 52.2% win rate in the Varus vs Caitlyn matchup. See the full rune breakdown in the matchup comparison above.

Does Varus counter Caitlyn?

No, Varus struggles against Caitlyn with only a 47.9% win rate. Caitlyn has the advantage in this matchup. Varus players should focus on safe farming and avoiding extended trades to minimize Caitlyn's lead.

How do I play Varus against Caitlyn?

When playing Varus against Caitlyn, play cautiously and avoid Caitlyn's power spikes. Look for jungle assistance and team-dependent plays since Caitlyn has the statistical advantage at most stages. Use the matchup-specific build and runes above to optimize your chances.