Matchup
Skill matchup
You are stronger early — look to snowball before your opponent scales.
Build vs Zed
Build adapted to this matchup
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
94%
2%Anti AD
Anti AP
Anti Tank
DPS
Other options
Domination
Electrocute
Sudden Impact
Grisly Mementos
Relentless Hunter
Precision
Coup de Grace
Triumph
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Katarina
ZedZed'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 against Zed
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
Buy Zhonya's Hourglass: it completely negates Death Mark damage if activated before the pop triggers.
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.
If Zed uses his W (shadow) in lane, he loses all his trade potential for 20s — punish him aggressively.
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