League of Legends offers several game modes, each providing a unique experience and set of challenges. The primary game modes include:

Summoner’s Rift: The classic 5v5 mode where two teams compete to destroy the enemy Nexus.
ARAM (All Random All Mid): A 5v5 mode on the Howling Abyss map where all players receive random champions and fight in a single lane.
Teamfight Tactics (TFT): An auto-battler mode where players draft units and position them strategically to battle against other players.
URF (Ultra Rapid Fire): A fun, fast-paced mode with reduced cooldowns and unlimited mana.

Champion Roles and Performance: Xerath and Lux in Patch 14.14
Xerath and Lux are both long-range mages with significant poke and burst damage, primarily played in the mid-lane or as supports.

Xerath:

Role: Mage, Artillery
Patch 14.14 Performance: Xerath remains a strong pick due to his ability to poke from a safe distance and his powerful ultimate, Rite of the Arcane. In Patch 14.14, he has received slight buffs to his mana regeneration, making him more sustainable in the lane.
Lux:

Role: Mage, Support
Patch 14.14 Performance: Lux continues to be versatile, able to dominate mid-lane or provide utility as a support. Her buffs in this patch focus on her base armor, enhancing her survivability in the early game. When you embark on your journey, mmowow items can lend a helping hand when you need help. 

Skill Analysis and Optimal Builds
Xerath:

Skills:
Q: Arcanopulse – A long-range skill shot that damages all enemies hit.
W: Eye of Destruction – Slows and damages enemies in an area.
E: Shocking Orb – Stuns the first enemy hit.
R: Rite of the Arcane – Global range ultimate that deals massive damage.
Skill Order: Max Q > W > E
Runes:
Primary: Arcane Comet (Sorcery), Manaflow Band, Transcendence, Scorch.
Secondary: Biscuit Delivery, Cosmic Insight (Inspiration).
Reason: Arcane Comet synergizes well with Xerath’s poke abilities, while Manaflow Band ensures he remains mana-efficient.
Builds:
Core Items: Luden’s Tempest, Shadowflame, Rabadon’s Deathcap.
Reason: These items amplify Xerath’s burst potential and mana pool, allowing him to sustain damage over long periods.
Lux:

Skills:
Q: Light Binding – Roots two enemies in a line.
W: Prismatic Barrier – Shields allies.
E: Lucent Singularity – Slows and damages enemies in an area.
R: Final Spark – Long-range laser that deals significant damage.
Skill Order: Max E > Q > W
Runes:
Primary: Arcane Comet (Sorcery), Manaflow Band, Transcendence, Gathering Storm.
Secondary: Cheap Shot, Ultimate Hunter (Domination).
Reason: Arcane Comet and Gathering Storm provide consistent poke and scaling damage.
Builds:
Core Items: Luden’s Tempest, Horizon Focus, Zhonya’s Hourglass.
Reason: These items enhance Lux’s burst potential and provide survivability.

Early, Mid, and Late Game Strategies
Xerath:

Early Game: Focus on poking enemies with Q and W. Use E to prevent all-ins and escape ganks.
Mid Game: Roam to secure objectives and assists with your long-range abilities. Utilize your ultimate to finish off low-health enemies.
Late Game: Position safely in team fights, using your range to poke and zone enemies. Your ultimate can be a game-changer, providing massive damage from afar.
Lux:

Early Game: Dominate the lane with E and Q. Utilize W to shield yourself and your allies from poke.
Mid Game: Provide vision and utility with your skills. Use your ultimate to burst down key targets or disengage fights.
Late Game: In team fights, look for opportunities to catch multiple enemies with Q. Your ultimate should be used to either start or finish fights.

Recommended Team Compositions
Xerath:

Engage Comps: Xerath pairs well with champions like Malphite and Leona who can initiate fights, allowing him to safely deal damage from the backline.
Scaling Comps: With late-game carries like Kai’Sa or Jinx, Xerath can provide consistent poke and zone control.
Personal Ability Comps: Assassins like Zed or Talon benefit from Xerath’s ability to chunk enemies down from range.
Lux:

Engage Comps: Champions like Jarvan IV or Amumu work well with Lux, who can follow up on their initiation with her Q and R.
Scaling Comps: ADCs like Vayne or Aphelios benefit from Lux’s utility and burst potential in the late game.
Personal Ability Comps: Lux’s shield and crowd control synergize well with champions who thrive in extended fights like Aatrox or Fiora.

Advantages and Disadvantages
Xerath:

Advantages: Long-range poke, high burst damage, excellent zoning.
Disadvantages: Vulnerable to all-ins, reliant on skill shots, immobile.
Lux:

Advantages: Versatile (mid and support), high burst, utility with shields, and crowd control.
Disadvantages: Squishy, skill shot reliant, susceptible to dives.

Why Xerath is Recommended:
Xerath’s ability to consistently poke from a distance and influence fights with his global ultimate makes him a valuable asset in most compositions. His high skill ceiling provides rewarding gameplay, and his strengths in zoning and burst damage are unparalleled. However, when some players explore further and become familiar with heroes, some will buy cheap lol items from a safe and reliable supplier.

Detailed Matchup Analysis: Xerath and Lux vs. Annie in League of Legends
Early Game Strategy
Xerath:

Lane Phase: Xerath’s early game against Annie should focus on leveraging his superior range to poke and zone her out of the farm. Use Arcanopulse (Q) to harass her from a distance and Eye of Destruction (W) to apply pressure and slow her movement.
Skill Usage: Keep your Shocking Orb (E) ready to disrupt Annie’s all-in attempts when she has her stun ready. Maintain a safe distance to avoid her Flash-Tibbers combo.
Farm and Harass: Balance farming with poking. Use your long-range abilities to last-hit minions while simultaneously harassing Annie, forcing her to choose between dodging your abilities or securing CS.
Lux:

Lane Phase: Lux should utilize her Lucent Singularity (E) to poke Annie and control the wave. Light Binding (Q) can be used defensively to snare Annie if she tries to engage.
Skill Usage: Maintain distance and use the Prismatic Barrier (W) to mitigate any damage from Annie’s abilities. Be cautious of her Flash-Tibbers combo, and always try to predict her stun cooldown.
Vision Control: Place wards to avoid jungle ganks, as Lux is vulnerable to aggressive jungle early on. Keep an eye on Annie’s movements to anticipate her plays.
Mid Game Strategy
Xerath:

Objective Control: Use your range to poke enemies off objectives like Dragon or Baron. Xerath excels at zoning enemies with his abilities.
Positioning: Stay in the backline during skirmishes and use your long-range abilities to chip away at the enemy team. Your Rite of the Arcane (R) can turn fights from a distance.
Map Presence: Roam with your jungler to apply pressure on other lanes. Xerath’s ultimate can secure kills even

when you are not physically present in a fight.
Lux:

Utility and Damage: Provide utility to your team with shields from Prismatic Barrier (W) and engage/disengage tools with Light Binding (Q) and Final Spark (R).
Wave Clear and Vision: Use Lucent Singularity (E) to quickly clear waves and maintain vision control around objectives. Your ability to shield allies makes you valuable in extended fights.
Team Fights: Position yourself to land key Light Bindings and follow up with your ultimate to maximize damage output.

Late Game Strategy
Xerath:

Team Fight Positioning: Stay in the backline and focus on landing your abilities on high-priority targets. Use your range to poke before full engagements.
Objective Control: Your ability to poke from a distance makes you invaluable in contesting or securing objectives.
Burst Damage: Utilize your full combo to burst down key targets. A well-placed Rite of the Arcane (R) can decimate the enemy backline.
Lux:

Team Fight Contribution: Focus on catching out-of-position enemies with Light Binding (Q) and using Final Spark (R) to deal massive damage across the enemy team.
Shielding: Use the Prismatic Barrier (W) to protect your team from incoming damage during critical moments.
Zoning: Your abilities can zone enemies effectively, controlling the battlefield and protecting your carries.

Team Fight Strategies and Engagement
Against Different Champions:

Engaging: Lux can initiate fights with a well-placed Light Binding (Q) followed by a burst combo. Xerath should focus on poking enemies before committing fully to an engagement.
Disengaging: Both champions can disengage effectively—Lux with her Light Binding (Q) and Xerath with his long-range poke to keep enemies at bay.

Specific Tips for Xerath:

Skill Shot Accuracy: Xerath relies heavily on landing skill shots. Practice predicting enemy movements and positioning to maximize your effectiveness.
Mana Management: Xerath’s abilities consume a lot of mana. Be mindful of your mana pool and use your abilities judiciously.

Conclusion and Advice:
For players, understanding Xerath’s attributes and gameplay nuances is key. His range and poke capabilities make him a formidable opponent, but mastering his skill shots and positioning is crucial. Practice makes perfect with Xerath, and his impact in team fights and objective control is immense when played correctly. I hope these insights help you improve your gameplay and find success in your matches.