Vi vs Xin Zhao
Skill matchup
Build vs Xin Zhao
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Vi: Trinity Force, Black Cleaver, Death's Dance, Plated Steelcaps, The Collector, Sundered Sky, Eclipse, Guardian Angel.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Xin Zhao's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Every third attack deals bonus damage and heals Xin Zhao.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 12s | 11s | – |
| 6 | 6s | 12s | 11s | 2m |
| 9 | 5s | 11s | 11s | 2m |
| 11 | 5s | 10s | 11s | 1m50 |
| 16 | 5s | 8s | 11s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 5s | 8s | 11s | 1m40 |
Playing as Vi
Tips to maximize your impact
- A spell to trigger your shield
Hit an enemy with a spell to activate Blast Shield (passive): it charges over time, and every third hit on a target lowers its cooldown.
- Three hits on the same target
Hit the same target three times: Denting Blows (W) adds damage based on their max health, removes some of their armor and gives you attack speed.
- Hit through minions
Cast Relentless Force (E) on a minion in front of your opponent: the shockwave also hits enemies behind the target, with full damage.
- Charge Vault Breaker out of sight
Charge Vault Breaker (Q) out of sight before you show up: fully charged, it deals double damage, and it stops on the first champion hit to knock them back.
- Go get their carry
Cast Cease and Desist (R) on their carry: you're unstoppable during the charge, and enemies in your way are stunned. Don't stray too far from your team.
Playing against Xin Zhao
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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