Samira needs to close in to finish her combo, but Varus blocks her approach with Piercing Arrow (Q) poke and Hail of Arrows (E) slow, and when she dives in with Inferno Trigger (R) he punishes her by detonating three stacks of Blighted Quiver (W).

Vayne's range is only 550, while Varus pokes throughout the early lane with long-range harass including a charged Piercing Arrow (Q), pressuring her before she can build Silver Bolts (W) stacks.

Nilah is an ultra-melee champion, so Varus safely harasses with charged Piercing Arrow (Q) poke and long range, denying her any approach.

Kalista is a low-health champion weak to focus fire, so she is easily bursted by Varus's Blighted Quiver (W) stacks plus Piercing Arrow (Q) combo, and Hail of Arrows (E) slow also checks her Martial Poise (P) hop kiting.

Draven's early damage is explosive as he catches his Spinning Axe (Q), so while Varus is charging Piercing Arrow (Q) he closes in and dominates the auto-attack trade.

Caitlyn's 650 range outreaches Varus, so before he can charge Piercing Arrow (Q) she harasses first with autos and Piltover Peacemaker (Q), and takes lane control with Yordle Snap Trap (W).

Lucian uses his Lightslinger (P) double shot and Relentless Pursuit (E) dash to repeat short trades in the gaps of Varus's slow Piercing Arrow (Q) charge, keeping up the pressure.

Tristana ignores Varus's Hail of Arrows (E) slow with Rocket Jump (W) to engage and disengage, and in the late game her Buster Shot (R) knockback cuts off Varus's combo.