This build has been archived by the author. They are no longer supporting nor updating this build and it may have become outdated. As such, voting and commenting have been disabled and it no longer appears in regular search results.
We recommend you take a look at this author's other builds.
This guide has not yet been updated for the current season. Please keep this in mind while reading. You can see the most recently updated guides on the browse guides page






Your votes and comments encourage our guide authors to continue
creating helpful guides for the League of Legends community.
Recommended Items
Spells:
Flash
Ignite
Items
Ability Order
Contempt for the Weak (PASSIVE)
Zed Passive Ability
Please read this first
Please leave comments, give me your opinion.
It seems Zed's ultimate will be changed (my god, it will be..... I'm sick.), so I'm waiting for that before writing the second combo part.
About the videos: I think it can be very useful (especially with combos), but I have some problems with my records. If it is really needs and some people ask me it, I can record my screen on bot games, waiting for a recorder for mac. I need to finish the combo section...
I need your support to finish it/take the time to improve and complete.
I'm sorry for my english, I will correct all with some friends if this guide is appreciated.
Thank you !
-Zed
-Items/runes/masteries
-An entire part (the most important I think) on the gameplay, with early, mid and late game.
-Special chapters on combos and jukes !
-Finally matchups based on my experience, and i hope, reflexions you will bring me.
I'll try to add videos to help as much as I can people to understand some combos.
To begin with, there is here two options:
-You just want to know some tips on runes, masteries, stuff. Okay, the beginning will be enough.
-You want to play Zed. Master him. It requires time and practice. Read all. But. Use your brain. This is the key.
Well ! Zed is very powerful. I'll try to explain his abilities, the different combos, how to chose, which combo to do. This is the main problem, as a LeBlanc player or Orianna, you can do many things. The choice is difficult, especially in 0,5 seconds.
Quote from a Leblanc's guide which is one of the best guides imo: "Let's make another thing clear: playing Leblanc (Zed) properly is both hard, and not hard.
Any idiot can QR (REQ) someone. Any muppet can get a good game with a champion and carry his team. It takes practice, skill and knowledge to consistently do your job well. Leblanc's (Zed's) kit is so incredibly versatile, that the amount of intricacies in the variables one considers in decision making takes far longer to master than other champions."
This guide isn't science. I'm not the best Zed player of the world, so many people are far better than me in the general appreciation of the game. But my aim is to help beginners, and those who want to master him. I hope people will help me to improve this guide.
You can rate the guide, please tell me the reasons of your choice, and let's discuss on Zed.
First. You're not as powerful as


You must be the master of shadows, juke them, kill them and disappear.
How to play Zed ? Know your enemy, know your abilities, USE YOUR BRAIN.
Your main role on mid lane is to mute your opponent, erase him and roam. If the Ap carry is erased, you did your job. Top, jungle ? Nope. Can play top for fun, but you'll not shine.
Runes
-> Per Level runes are more efficient than flat at lvl 9-10 in general.
-> Keep Seals for armor and Glyphs for MR.
->If you play with armor penetration and flat AD, use marks for a.p. and quints for flat AD.
Now the runes I usually use:
Defensive runes




Offensive runes

Greater mark of armor penetration Gives you 11,5 arm.pen. Approximatively 6 from the masteries. That's to say, you have 26-27 armor penetration with

I don't use ad or a.p. per level, it's not enough efficient.
If you're interested in, you can do the maths.
Runes pages I usually use on Zed
On top lane:

On mid lane:

Masteries
21-9-0 are the best imo, you won't play tanky, and you don't really need mana/CDR, some def is better on lane.
So I usually play with this masteries:

Some



You can prefer take the point in




Nothing to say about

I don't pick


Summoner's spells
Is this section really needed ?
Obviously, you will play with


Changes ?
![]() |
I'm just amazed of "I don't need flash noob, my E is a flash/gap closer/etc.". Nope, it's just too powerful, you can't play without it. I'll not even speak about ![]() |
![]() |
You're an assassin, it is... Useful ? In late game too when ![]() |
![]() |
You can replace ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |




"Whenever Zed autoattacks an enemy below 50% health, he deals an additional 6 / 8 / 10% of their maximum health as magic damage. This effect cannot occur on the same target more than once every 10 seconds."
Okay, this passive is just too strong, but a bit difficult to use properly. We'll see later on the laning phase how do you can abuse it. Don't forget the cooldown.
Note: "Contempt for the Weak does not affect turrets or other structures."
A lot of people underestimate it, a good use of it change your lane.

Zed and his shadows throw their shurikens, each dealing physical damage to the first enemy they pass through and a lesser amount to enemies thereafter.
Cooldown: 6 seconds
Range: 900
Cost: 75 / 70 / 65 / 60 / 55 energy
Physical Damage: 75 / 115 / 155 / 195 / 235 (+1.0 per bonus AD)
Physical Damage (Secondary Targets): 45 / 69 / 93 / 117 / 141 (+0.6 per bonus AD)
Living Shadow: Additional shurikens striking the same enemy deal 50% damage and restore energy.
Second Shuriken Damage (When Striking the Same Target): 37.5 / 57.5 / 77.5 / 97.5 / 117.5 (+0.5 bonus AD)
That's the first ability who makes Zed as an ad caster. Generally max it first, a chapter will be written about that choice. Don't forget that damages are lower after hitting the first target.

ACTIVE: Zed's shadow dashes forward, remaining in place for 4 seconds. Reactivating this ability will cause Zed to switch positions with this shadow.
Zed's shadow will mimic his basic abilities. If both strike the same target Zed regains some energy. Energy can only be restored once per mimicked ability.
Range: 550
Cost: 40 / 35 / 30 / 25 / 20 energy
Cooldown: 18 / 17 / 16 / 15 / 14 seconds
Energy Restored: 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40
PASSIVE: Zed's bonus attack damage is increased by a percentage.
Additional Bonus Attack Damage: 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 %
And that's why you're a ****ing good ad caster.
Note that the passive helps to make you to be a good late game assassin.

Zed and his shadows create a burst of shadow, dealing physical damage to nearby enemies.
Zed's slash reduces the cooldown of Living Shadow by 2 second for each enemy champion struck. His shadows' slashes slow enemies for 1.5 seconds.
Overlapping Shadow Slashes striking the same enemy deal no additional damage but will incur an increased slow and restore energy.
Cost: 50 energy
Cooldown: 4 seconds
Range: 290
hysical Damage: 60 / 90 / 120 / 150 / 180 (+0.8 per bonus AD)
Slow: 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 %
Overlapping Slow: 30 / 37.5 / 45 / 52.5 / 60 %
A classic spell with short cooldown. Can reduce the


Zed becomes untargetable and dashes to target enemy champion. Upon arrival, he marks the target for death and spawns a living shadow behind the target. This shadow lasts 4 seconds and mimics Zed's abilities. Reactivating Death Mark will cause Zed to switch positions with this shadow.
After 3 seconds, the mark will detonate, dealing physical damage equal to 100% of Zed's attack damage plus a percentage of all magic and physical damage dealt to the target by Zed and his shadows while the mark was active.
Range: 625
Cooldown: 120 / 100 / 80 seconds
Physical Damage (Mark Detonation): 20 / 35 / 50 % of damage dealt
This is an ultimate, that's why you are Zed. It gives you so many possibilities, practice, practice, practice.
![]() |
space |
+ Short cooldown + Help farming better + Slow the target, which allows you to combo easily (and help your jungler's banks with a good engage) + Better burst on your ult (you won't miss it in most cases) - Needs ![]() - Pushes your lane. - ... |
space |
![]() |
Yes, I prefer maxing





Make your own choice.
I max




Starting Items
IMO, the most important thing to think when you go mid is "How does my opponent work ?". As always, checks his runes to avoid some surprises (full flat ap lux hurts a bit). 50% of the time I prefer get boots and potions. You need mobility (most ap carries spells are based on skill shots), try to dodge



Another option is to work on sustain, and try to reach 6 before your opponent or simply outfarm him.

High level players and pros like to start with the famous

IMPORTANT: This is a general rule... If you start without ward, use your brain, and keep an eye on your minimap.
Boots
Damn, I see so many times Zeds with

![]() |
This is a very interesting choice for ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Be sure to make the difference with the mercury's passive: Reduce slowing effects, not time. Can be interesting, but generally, ![]() |
![]() |
Okay, you play top. I really disagree with people who rush these boots against ad. Get its only if you play against an ad who deals all his damages with AA. So get it against ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
First back/Early game
![]() |
This is the best early item of the game (at least on ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
You must buy it cause ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
That's another item that you must build on ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
You can get it early if the lane is hard. Can be finish in various items (see with the enemy team), but generally you will use it with ![]() |
![]() |
Same reason, but less possibilities. Only is mid lane is really hard and you already have life steal/damage. Very early, prefer ![]() |
![]() |
Very nice item on heavy ap mid... ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
You won't need it on mid lane, but some top laners like ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Late game
![]() |
Oh yeah. Damage, damage, damage. Easily stacked, and so powerful. Generally my third item after some defense. 100 AD. Kick their *** ! You can get it earlier if you're carrying like a beast. I'll try to compare it to ![]() |
![]() |
As an all-in assassin, it is very interesting. Cooldown is a bit long, try to use it cleverly. Interesting cause you can escape after with your ![]() |
![]() |
Hum, I see so many ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Other Items
![]() |
Similar to mejai soulstealer, this is a... Special item. I don't really like it, prefer buying a classic build which will be enough to kill more and carry. You can, but don't fail. Get fed or feed... |
![]() |
This item is so funny. But please, read correctly the passive. Another time, useful against ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
A very particular item, especially on an assassin. As I said it, it can helps you when laning against ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Lets go back on that. This is a very popular item even for junglers. Gives you some hp and damage, get it if you must back with 500G and the lane will be hard. But generally, don't get it. |
![]() |
Yes, they start with it. But, 90% of players won't use it well. It costs so much gold, and this is risky. On ![]() |
![]() |
Why not in some cases, but you are [zed], don't forget it. If you really need it, that's to say ![]() ![]() |
Mid Lane
Early Game
Zed mid, just amazing. Why ? Your mobility is too strong for most AP carries, and you're at the center of the game. Roam, jungle... All is for you here.
So you bought some items, for example boots and pots. As always, don't pick your first spell before being on lane. Invade.... Invaded ?
Let's go, on lane. First objective, don't lose minions. Your spells will help you so much, but care. Always keep an eye on your opponent, what does he want to do ? Stay behind your creeps if needed. You can show that you're not afraid, it generally works at medium level, people don't really know what threat you represent for them. OKAY, FARM. Now you're level 3, you have your 3 spells (in most cases). No enemy creeps between him and you ?

If your opponent doesn't harass you so much, you cant' miss creeps. It's pretty easy to be at more than 150 cs at 15 min if he's afraid.
If you want to harass, just


Keep that in mind, imagine you try to gank a Zed who always keep his shadow... Annoying. So if you get ganked, use it at the good moment.
We can define 3 areas:

In the first zone, you can combo your opponent without problems, it is cool here. In the second, your


If you can use your passive, do it. It is really powerful (cooldown is 10 sec).
Remember that in first levels, minions aggro is very important. Do not chase anyone into an enemy minions wave at level 2...
And this is experience, knowledge about your opponents. There is no secret, you need to know how other champions work. [living shadow]] Allows you to dodge many things. You must always be ready to press W again. Surprise him.
Pick items at your first back, try to push your lane before that, and let's go. If you have life steal, you must stay and farm. You will begin to really hurt at levels 8-10. If you want to kill your opponent, wait your 11 if you need it. Before, if you can roam, push a wave and do it. If other lanes don't offer this possibility*, farm the jungle. Wraiths and Wolves are here for you. You can totally ourfarm your opponent if he can't push really well. One wave, wraiths, one wave, wolves, one wave, wraiths..... Farm is the key. Be aware of your opponent and his farming abilities. Push him under turret if needed.
* I mean pushed lanes, or warded lanes, ask them, read the chat if they wrote wards, roaming can give you an advantage (for your team too), but spend time walking along the river isn't. This is early game. DOn't lose time, farm as much as possible, you have spells and damages for that.
Mid Game
Here you have some damage, your

Top lane
I don't really like playing Zed at top lane. Why ? Assassins are more efficient played at mid lane. Not really tanky, and your mobility isn't so useful on your top lane.
In most cases, matchups will be difficult.
If you're better than him, well.
If the lane is hard, a defensive item will be needed. See the section, but generally, some armor can be enough.

But I don't recommend him on top lane. Not your job, not your world.
Levels 1-8
Your passive makes farming pretty easy. But you must be aware of some things:
-

-

That's to say, use your 2 abilities to avoid losing creeps. In rare case on lane, under turret do it. I said rare on lane, don't waste stupidly your energy, you can easily farm wit your auto attack.
Do wraiths if your lane is pushed and you want to back (in early levels, you're still weak).
Then
Now you have lifesteal and good damage. Try to stay with waves. Push it quickly, harass your opponent and go to wraith/wolves. Keep an eye on your jungler (he can needs its...), ask him before. 50sec reset, allows you to do 1 wave/wraiths/1 wave/wolves. Keep the harass and kill your opponent if you can.
It works perfectly against non-pusher champions. That's why you're far better than some ap mids, who are crying, trying to farm under turret.
Doing that, you can totally out farm your opponent.
So here comes the team fights. And this is pretty difficult as



You are a good split pusher. Get some wards and clear waves. You can be really annoying.
Always remember that

First. This is a really strong ult. Why:
-Simply a good gap closer.
-Final damages depends of you.
-0,5 untargetable.
-Creating another shadow.
Patience
Firstly, you need to deal as damages as you can in 3 seconds. So don't ult if you just used other spells. Generally, you'll need



Another point. Stop ulting at lvl 6 on a full-life opponent. You won't kill him. Be annoying, try to ult when you can proc your passive.
The reason why laning against a no-brain









Okay so...
-> Do you have enough energy ?
->Do you have your other spells on cooldown ?
->Your opponent wasted anything ?
->Ignite doesn't count !
->Don't forget your brain.
->You can dodge many spells with it, but it requires experience. Always.... Patience.
->You can follow flashes, dashes with a good timing. Maybe only your shadow will follow sometimes.
Remember that counter doesn't mean so much, only level and skill will make the difference. You can win "hard" matchups and lose "easy".
On each game, adapt your runes, and check your opponent's profile (runes, masteries, stats) to have an idea and chose your early stuff. (Again, I say it, full AP

![]() |
space |
This is a very interesting lane. Imo, all is based on skill, these two champions are so much powerful, but both need to be mastered. You can totally outplayed her, but she can be really annoying and kill you too. First, she has a decent sustain thanks to her ![]() ![]() ![]() Finally, don't ult her if she has her ![]() Some tips, my experience about that. I generally play the safest possible at first levels. She will push harassing you with her ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() All is skill on that lane, it is very nice to play and interesting. |
space |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
space |
Totally skill matchup. It can be easy, just be more clever than him. Okay, you can dodge his ![]() ![]() ![]() The main problem is his ![]() ![]() I usually try to harass him continually, maxing ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Adapt to his play style (adapt and consume say the Voidraver). |
space |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
space |
Imagine if he had a real weapon... A difficult lane. You can win early, you won’t win mid and late. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() It is difficult. Your jungler is supposed to gank top very early, to get first drake then. You can kill him at this moment. If at 10 minutes, nobody got kills and his farm is good, don’t fight. Imo, it is like ![]() ![]() ![]() |
space |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
space |
This guys is based on farm, lvling up and very dependent of his stuff. That's why you will erase him. Always start with boots, his damage is only due to his ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The most annoying abilities are ![]() ![]() ![]() Easy, but he can surprises you... |
space |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
space |
She can be nothing, and 30 sec later, she combo you and kill you. But you're ![]() ![]() On lane, you are stronger. But ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Now, what makes ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() So imo, ulting when she got her is bad. You can hurt her without it. |
space |
![]() ![]() Sinister Steel ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
space |
You must win. Why ? ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() One more thing, don't ult if he has his ![]() You can win this lane, but never under-estimate him. This champion is really powerful (that early...is just amazing). |
space |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
space |
Very interesting gameplay. This is a high skill lane, so we can’t say so much things about the difficulty. How to counter ![]() ![]() ![]() But there is a problem: Good ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() [etheral chain] will stun you, use your shadow if needed. She can sigil of silence you between the slow (stun activate the mark), then combo you (while you are silenced...). ![]() ![]() Here is 3 basic tips, you musn’t do wrong on that. #1: Always stay out of her range when you are targeted by sigil of silence. 3,5sec. #2: Keep the harass. Don’t let her free. You can get lifesteal first to stay on lane. #3: Don’t follow her mirror: ![]() Then, do what you can. You will farm better than her, you can easily push and go jungle with some lifesteal. You can dodge some damage with ![]() ![]() Ward. Push. Don’t die. |
space |
![]() ![]() etheral chain ![]() |
![]() |
space |
An interesting lane, winable.![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Don’t trade with him in early. Dodge his Qs, harass when you can. You must play safe and focus on farm, give him one kill and you will cry at your come back on lane. About his ult. He can use it defensivly if you ult him. Press R again... But in most cases, he will do it offensivly, because he should dominate the lane. Anticipate his combo: If he dashes on a ward or a minion behind you, use you ![]() ![]() Try to anticipate. You can win that thanks to your shadows, but don’t give him any chance. |
space |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
space |
Damn. No, you don't counter her. People will say you that you can dodge her skill shots, *$*`%£. I really disagree with that, this is a difficult lane. The main problem is her range. Get boots and pots, you can't start with anything else. Care to her passive, always back and wait the mark's end. -> ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Imo, her ![]() ![]() Finally, ![]() ![]() I played this matchup so many times as ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() So get boots quickly, ![]() ![]() |
space |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
space |
Oh this champion is very powerful too. But on lane you can easily win. At levels 1-6, she will be annoying for 3 things: Auto attacks, like all ranged champion. Her ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Don't forget that ![]() This is not so difficult. I played this matchup as ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() But as ![]() ![]() ![]() You will win easily if you play cleverly. |
space |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
space |
You will read on the net «Singed counters Zed hard». I disagree. Because his early sucks, and we can say that your escape is not to bad. Max ![]() ![]() Get ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() He will be unkillable in mid game. Just push and farm. Try to roam on mid lane if you can, but he will push like a beast. |
space |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
space |
This guy is annoying. Lesson #1: Keep calm and farm. If he's not stupid, he will outdamage you. Again a reason why playing ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() It is really, really, really annoying. Just to have a decent farm. He will push because of his fury, so try to be annoying, but don't use your ![]() Finally, If you think he will dive you, keep all your spells, he's not an ad caster, so be annoying, try to make him cry (example ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Just be ready for mid game, roaming isn't easy cause he pushes very quickly. |
space |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
space |
GG Well Played Camouflage Most useless passive in the game. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() That's so easy. Just wait your level 3-4 to really hurt him, start with ![]() I like to max my ![]() Generally, you will be legendary. Oh, and buy 2/3 visions wards and watch him cry. You can dive and one shot him at 2 or 3-0. Have a nice game ! |
space |
Camouflage
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
space |
She can be very powerful if well played, but her mobility is... ********. That's why you will win. Deadly Bloom is annoying. You can dodge it easily, even with your ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() You can totally outplayed her. Her [Rise of the Thorns] hurts (true damage), never forget it ! |
space |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Basic combos
Some of these combos are pretty simple, just use your brain as always. It seems idiot, but so much people forget it.


Not too hard.



Your basic harass combo. Do it if you're in security, and don't miss it (at least the first part). Slows your enemy, and will restore energy if your





The same, but more powerful. Care, it is all-in.




Only do that if you want to finish anyone with 30hp ! It costs more than 100 energy and deals 50% of your





Your escape combo,




Your chasing combo ! Similar to the last. Or ganking combo if you prefer. If you have to flash, do it before to use your slow.
Ult combos



It is the simplest combo. Just don't miss your q. We'll call it the A combo.
A COMBO->



This is a very powerful combo, which allows you to follow a flash/dash. Use your ultimate to back, you can, with that, dive easily. Very common combo.
Other coming...
You must be logged in to comment. Please login or register.