Zilean JG is definately playable. It will actually work with a team that is not hardstuck Iron. While you will (almost) never be able to face-check enemies alone with Zilean jg as he is team reliant, so make sure to not int and when chased down alone just book it with E.

The answer is quite simple. Zilean is capable of seizing amazing gank opportunities with his stun and slow if aimed correctly. Make use of the early game, especially in mid and top where you can shine with level 3 surprises.

I will now explain why you should use the runes above.

Main: Sorcery as the main rune is the best for Zilean and his teammates. The rune provides him with that extra cheesy on-hit aery damage to execute 1 hp enemies, he uses manaflow band for mana, transendence for the extra ability haste and Gathering Storm for the scaling.

Secondary: As for his secondary runes, Zilean in the Jungle has very VERY weak clear. So taking that in consideration you will be using Future Market to gain items faster aswell as Cosmic Insight so that you ll get a faster charge on your smite for the camps (and item haste).

Since Zilean JG has very weak clearing we will have to adjust.

-PRO TIP: WHEN MOVING TO NEXT CAMP USE BOMBS ON GROMPS OR WOLVES TO HEAL-

Early: At first, all you will do is go to the bot side camp to get help with getting the Red/Blue Buff. After that? You book it to the next buff. You cannot farm for ****. Once you're done you're left with half way level 3. Here you can either stand near a lane bush and stare the enemies down menacingly until leveling to 3, leading up to a gank OR you can try taking down another camp while consuming the refillables.

Mid-Late: Farming for Zilean in later moments of the game becomes an easy task with his bombs as they will deal alot of AOE damage. However, make sure you give he buffs to the ADC or Top laner (depending on how useful they are) so that you get them that sweet push to victory. Remember, we're not trolling and we're trying to be useful.

This one will always be tough. You deal little to no damage without help except if you do herald slowly and painfully. The only solution is to gank the nearest lane successfully and get some help, you useless mutt.