Viktor vs Zed
Skill matchup
Build vs Zed
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Viktor: Blackfire Torch, Lich Bane, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Shadowflame, Luden's Echo, Dark Seal, Hextech Rocketbelt.
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 Viktor
Tips to maximize your impact
- Poke with your ray
Poke with Hextech Ray (E), fired in the direction you choose: it hits every enemy in its line, and its upgrade adds an aftershock in its wake.
- Siphon Power, then an auto
After Siphon Power (Q), land an auto within 4 seconds: it deals bonus magic damage, and the spell's shield covers you during the trade.
- Gravity Field, then your ray
Place Gravity Field (W) in your target's path, then fire Hextech Ray (E): the field slows them, and if they stay in it for 1.25 seconds, they're stunned.
- Choose your upgrades well
Glorious Evolution (passive) upgrades a spell every 100 Hex Fragments: Hextech Ray (E) to poke and clear, Siphon Power (Q) to survive, Gravity Field (W) to slow.
- Drop your storm on their group
Place Arcane Storm (R) on grouped enemies: it follows the champions it just damaged on its own, and you can recast it to move it.
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 Viktor matchups
Patch 16.21.1