Matchup
You are stronger early — look to snowball before your opponent scales.
Build vs Zilean
Build adapted to this matchup
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
89%
10%Anti AD
Anti CC
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
ZileanZilean's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Zilean stores time as Experience and can grant it to his allies. When he has enough Experience to finish an ally's level up, he can right-click them to impart it. Zilean receives as much Experience as he gives.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 14s | 15s | – |
| 6 | 9s | 14s | 15s | 2m |
| 9 | 8s | 12s | 15s | 2m |
| 11 | 8s | 10s | 15s | 1m30 |
| 16 | 8s | 6s | 15s | 1m |
| 18 | 8s | 6s | 15s | 1m |
Playing against Zilean
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
Track his R (revive): it has a long cooldown (120-60s). Engage when it's on CD.
If an enemy has Zilean's R (golden aura), don't burst that target — focus someone else and come back after.
Double bombs are his only CC: if he misses, he has nothing impactful left.
Focus Zilean first in fights to prevent him from R'ing his carry.
Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026