Outdraft.gg
LoginSign up

Matchup

Bard
Bard
44%
56%

vs

50.0%
Zed
Zed
90%
10%
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
Locket of the Iron Solari
2HP
Redemption
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Dead Man's Plate
5vs AD

Summoner spells

41450%
4736%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Dead Man's Plate
5vs AD

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

DPS

Liandry's Torment
Mage tank
Lich Bane
Mage

Other options

Bloodsong
HP
Mikael's Blessing
HP
Solstice Sleigh
HP
Celestial Opposition
HP
Zaz'Zak's Realmspike
HP
Shurelya's Battlesong
100.0% WR1 games
DominationDomination
ElectrocuteElectrocute
Cheap ShotCheap Shot
Deep WardDeep Ward
Treasure HunterTreasure Hunter
InspirationInspiration
Magical FootwearMagical Footwear
Jack Of All TradesJack Of All Trades
Attack SpeedMove SpeedHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
BardBard
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