Sylas vs Xin Zhao

Sylas
vs
Not enough games
Xin Zhao
Heavy AD damageHeavy CCDive threatHigh burst

You are stronger early. Look to snowball before your opponent scales.

Build vs Xin Zhao

The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup

Recommended items for Sylas: Hextech Rocketbelt, Riftmaker, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Rabadon's Deathcap, Shadowflame, Cosmic Drive, Banshee's Veil.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Hextech Rocketbelt
1
Riftmaker
2
Zhonya's Hourglass
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Rabadon's Deathcap
5

Summoner spells

FlashDot100%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Rabadon's Deathcap
Shadowflame
Cosmic Drive
Banshee's Veil
PrecisionPrecision
ConquerorConqueror
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
Last StandLast Stand
ResolveResolve
UnflinchingUnflinching
Bone PlatingBone Plating
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

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 as Sylas

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. An auto after each spell

    Weave an auto after each spell: Petricite Burst (passive) turns it into a chain swing around you, with bonus magic damage.

  2. Save Kingslayer for low health

    Save Kingslayer (W) to finish or to save yourself when your health drops: its healing grows with your missing health.

  3. Abscond, then throw your chain

    To engage, cast Abscond (E), then recast within 3.5 seconds: Abduct (E) pulls you to the first enemy hit and knocks them into the air.

  4. Steal the ult that decides the fight

    Cast Hijack (R) on the enemy whose ult can turn a teamfight: you keep a copy of it, cast with your own stats.

Playing against Xin Zhao

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Dodge his thrust

    Get out of the line of the Wind Becomes Lightning (W) thrust: it slows you and marks you as Challenged, which extends the range of Audacious Charge (E) on you.

  2. Cut off his three hits

    If you have CC, use it during Three Talon Strike (Q): without his three autos, there's no knock-up, and his other cooldowns don't go down.

  3. Back off after his charge

    After Audacious Charge (E), keep your distance: it's his only dash to get back on you, and without it he has to walk up to you.

  4. No ranged damage after his ult

    After Crescent Guard (R), don't hit him from range: for a moment, he ignores damage from outside the swept zone. Back off, or hit him from inside it.

  5. Drag the game out

    If you survive his first minutes, play for time: Xin Zhao is strongest early on, through his ganks and skirmishes.

Patch 16.21.1