Matchup

Heavy AD damageSustained DPS

Build vs Zeri

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Blackfire Torch
1Mage
Liandry's Torment
2Mage tank
Zhonya's Hourglass
3vs AD

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Shadowflame
5vs Tank

Summoner spells

41277%
4616%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Shadowflame
5vs Tank
Stormsurge
vs Tank
Void Staff
vs Tank

DPS

Luden's Echo
Mage
Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage
Cosmic Drive
Mage tank
Hextech Rocketbelt
Mage tank
Lich Bane
Mage

Other options

Oblivion Orb
Mejai's Soulstealer
100.0% WR4 games
SorcerySorcery
Deathfire TouchDeathfire Touch
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
ResolveResolve
Shield BashShield Bash
Bone PlatingBone Plating
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
ViktorViktor
ZeriZeri
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral

Zeri's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Living Battery (P)

Zeri's Attacks deal magic damage and are treated as Abilities. Moving and casting Burst Fire stores up energy in Zeri's Sparkpack. When fully charged her next Attack deals bonus damage.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
30s12s24s
60s12s24s1m20
90s11s24s1m20
110s10s24s1m15
160s8s21s1m10
180s8s18s1m10

Playing against Zeri

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Point-and-click CC is the best counter to Zeri: she's too mobile for skillshots when her R is active.

2

Her E can go through walls but has a long cooldown — punish her after the dash.

3

Zeri is weak in the early game and needs items to be effective — force fights early.

4

Her R speed disappears out of combat — disengage and re-engage when R expires.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026