Matchup

Heavy AD damageHigh burstCountered by stasisDive threat

Build vs Zed

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Bandlepipes
1vs Hybride
Zeke's Convergence
2Tank
Knight's Vow
3vs AD

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Locket of the Iron Solari
5HP

Summoner spells

41447%
4729%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Thornmail
5vs Hybride
Frozen Heart
vs AD
Randuin's Omen
vs AD

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Locket of the Iron Solari
HP
Celestial Opposition
HP
Solstice Sleigh
HP
Protoplasm Harness
Survival
100.0% WR1 games
ResolveResolve
AftershockAftershock
Font of LifeFont of Life
Bone PlatingBone Plating
UnflinchingUnflinching
InspirationInspiration
Hextech FlashtraptionHextech Flashtraption
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
Ability HasteHealth ScalingHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
AlistarAlistar
ZedZed
Passive
Favorable
Favorable

Zed's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Contempt for the Weak (P)

Zed's basic attacks against low health targets deals bonus Magic Damage. This effect can only occur once every few seconds against the same enemy champion.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
36s20s5s
66s20s5s2m
96s19s5s2m
116s18s5s1m50
166s16s4s1m40
186s16s3s1m40

Playing against Zed

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Buy Zhonya's Hourglass: it completely negates Death Mark damage if activated before the pop triggers.

2

After his R, Zed always reappears behind you — place your CC or skillshot at that spot to hit him as soon as he exits invulnerability.

3

If Zed uses his W (shadow) in lane, he loses all his trade potential for 20s — punish him aggressively.

4

Control Wards and Oracle Lens disable his shadow vision-wise, but his W is still a dash — focus on timing his cooldowns instead.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026