Aphelios vs Zeri
Skill matchup
You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.
Build vs Zeri
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Aphelios: The Collector, Infinity Edge, Lord Dominik's Regards, Gluttonous Greaves, Stormrazor, Hexoptics C44, Phantom Dancer, Runaan's Hurricane.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Zeri's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Zeri's Attacks deal magic damage and are treated as Abilities. Moving and casting Burst Fire stores up energy in Zeri's Sparkpack. When fully charged her next Attack deals bonus damage.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0s | 12s | 24s | – |
| 6 | 0s | 12s | 24s | 1m20 |
| 9 | 0s | 11s | 24s | 1m20 |
| 11 | 0s | 10s | 24s | 1m15 |
| 16 | 0s | 8s | 21s | 1m10 |
| 18 | 0s | 8s | 18s | 1m10 |
Playing as Aphelios
Tips to maximize your impact
- Slow, then root with Gravitum
With Gravitum as your main weapon, hit your target to slow them, then cast Weapon Abilities (Q): the cannon roots every enemy it has slowed.
- Pick your weapon before your R
Switch to the right weapon with Phase (W) before Moonlight Vigil (R): you then attack each champion hit with your main weapon, and its effect applies.
- Plan your next weapon
Before an objective, check Weapon Queue System (E): it shows the weapon Alune will give you next, and an empty weapon goes to the back of the queue.
Playing against Zeri
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay behind your minions
Keep minions between you and her: Burst Fire (Q) stops on the first enemy hit, except during Spark Surge (E), when it pierces through them.
- Stay away from walls
Don't fight near a wall against her: if Ultrashock Laser (W) hits it, it becomes an area laser that slows and critically strikes.
- Engage right after her dash
If you can engage, go in right after Spark Surge (E): it's her only dash, and each of her hits lowers its cooldown, so don't wait.
- Break contact during her ult
During Lightning Crash (R), back off out of her range: each hit she lands on a champion extends the effect and makes her faster.
Other Aphelios matchups
Patch 16.21.1