Matchup

Heavy AD damageHigh burstCountered by stasisDive threat

Build vs Zed

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Blade
Health Potion

Core build

Youmuu's Ghostblade
1vs Tank
The Collector
2vs Tank
Infinity Edge
3DPS

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Hubris
5vs Tank

Summoner spells

421100%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Guardian Angel
5vs AD

Anti Heal

Mortal Reminder
6vs Hybride

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Hubris
5vs Tank
Lord Dominik's Regards
vs Tank
Edge of Night
vs Tank

DPS

Bloodthirster
DPS
100.0% WR1 games
InspirationInspiration
First StrikeFirst Strike
Cash BackCash Back
Biscuit DeliveryBiscuit Delivery
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
SorcerySorcery
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
Gathering StormGathering Storm
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
MissFortuneMiss Fortune
ZedZed
Passive
Neutral
Aggressive

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