Matchup

Heavy AD damageDive threatStrong engageSustained DPS

Build vs Xin Zhao

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Bandlepipes
1vs Hybride
Locket of the Iron Solari
2HP
Frozen Heart
3vs AD

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Celestial Opposition
5HP

Summoner spells

41486%
3410%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Thornmail
5vs Hybride

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Void Staff
5vs Tank

Other options

Celestial Opposition
HP
Zeke's Convergence
Tank
Solstice Sleigh
HP
Shurelya's Battlesong
Redemption
100.0% WR1 games
InspirationInspiration
Glacial AugmentGlacial Augment
Hextech FlashtraptionHextech Flashtraption
Biscuit DeliveryBiscuit Delivery
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
SorcerySorcery
CelerityCelerity
Nimbus CloakNimbus Cloak
Ability HasteHealth ScalingHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
BlitzcrankBlitzcrank
XinZhaoXin Zhao
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral

Xin Zhao's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Determination (P)

Every third attack deals bonus damage and heals Xin Zhao.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
37s12s11s
66s12s11s2m
95s11s11s2m
115s10s11s1m50
165s8s11s1m40
185s8s11s1m40

Playing against Xin Zhao

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Xin Zhao scales poorly into late game — if you survive his aggressive early game, you outscale.

2

His R knocks you back: if you're an ADC, you end up out of the fight. Position intelligently.

3

His E is his only gap-close: without E, he can't reach you.

4

Ranged CC counters him well since he needs to be in melee for his entire kit.

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