Cassiopeia vs Zed
Skill matchup
Build vs Zed
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Cassiopeia: Tear of the Goddess, Rod of Ages, Seraph's Embrace, Boots of Swiftness, Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Zhonya's Hourglass, Liandry's Torment, Dark Seal.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Zed's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 6s | 20s | 5s | – |
| 6 | 6s | 20s | 5s | 2m |
| 9 | 6s | 19s | 5s | 2m |
| 11 | 6s | 18s | 5s | 1m50 |
| 16 | 6s | 16s | 4s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 6s | 16s | 3s | 1m40 |
Playing as Cassiopeia
Tips to maximize your impact
- Poison, then bite
Land Noxious Blast (Q), then chain Twin Fang (E) while the poison lasts: the poisoned target takes extra damage, and you heal.
- Kite with your speed
Hit a champion with Noxious Blast (Q) to kite: the spell gives you move speed, and Serpentine Grace (passive) makes every speed bonus more effective.
- Ground those who dive you
Place Miasma (W) on those trying to jump on you: inside the clouds, enemies are slowed and can't use movement abilities.
- Turn to face your pursuers
Cast Petrifying Gaze (R) toward those chasing you, after a Flash if needed: those facing you are stunned, the others only slowed.
Playing against Zed
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Trade when his shadow is down
Take a trade when he has used Living Shadow (W): while it's on cooldown, he has no double shuriken and no way out.
- Don't stay in lane at low health
Back rather than staying in lane at low health against him: Contempt for the Weak (passive) adds magic damage to his autos against low-health targets.
- Get ready for his mark to pop
If you have invulnerability or a shield, use it right before Death Mark (R) pops, 3 seconds after his dash: it repeats part of the damage he dealt you.
- Watch the shadow from his mark
After his dash onto you, spot the shadow left at his starting point: if he recasts Death Mark (R), that's where he reappears.
Other Cassiopeia matchups
Patch 16.21.1