Veigar vs Zed
Skill matchup
You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.
Build vs Zed
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Veigar: Tear of the Goddess, Rod of Ages, Seraph's Embrace, Sorcerer's Shoes, Rabadon's Deathcap, Zhonya's Hourglass, Luden's Echo, Stormsurge.
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 Veigar
Tips to maximize your impact
- Last-hit with Baleful Strike
Last-hit minions with Baleful Strike (Q): each kill with this spell gives you a Phenomenal Evil stack, which is power for the whole game, and large minions give more.
- Make them cross the edge of your cage
Place Event Horizon (E) so your target is on the edge or has to cross it: only the cage's perimeter stuns, and it only lasts 3 seconds.
- Cage first, Dark Matter second
Stun first with Event Horizon (E), then cast Dark Matter (W): a stunned target can't dodge it.
- Finish with your ult
Cast Primordial Burst (R) last, after your other spells: its damage rises with the target's missing health and peaks below 33%.
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 Veigar matchups
Patch 16.21.1