Xin Zhao vs Hecarim
Skill matchup
You are stronger early. Look to snowball before your opponent scales.
Build vs Hecarim
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Xin Zhao: Titanic Hydra, Black Cleaver, Death's Dance, Plated Steelcaps, Sundered Sky, Guardian Angel, B. F. Sword, Statikk Shiv.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Hecarim's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Hecarim gains Attack Damage equal to a percentage of his bonus Move Speed.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4s | 14s | 20s | – |
| 6 | 4s | 14s | 20s | 2m20 |
| 9 | 4s | 14s | 20s | 2m20 |
| 11 | 4s | 14s | 20s | 2m |
| 16 | 4s | 14s | 18s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 4s | 14s | 16s | 1m40 |
Playing as Xin Zhao
Tips to maximize your impact
- Land your three hits
After Three Talon Strike (Q), land your three autos: the third one is a knock-up, and each one lowers your other spells' cooldowns by 1 second.
- Thrust first, charge second
Land the thrust of Wind Becomes Lightning (W) before Audacious Charge (E): the Challenged target is revealed, and your charge reaches farther on them.
- Isolate your target with your ult
Hit your target right before Crescent Guard (R): Challenged, they stay with you while the others are knocked back, and damage from outside can't reach you for a moment.
- Get ahead early
Gank and skirmish as much as you can early on: Audacious Charge (E) and the Three Talon Strike (Q) knock-up matter most before everyone has their items.
Playing against Hecarim
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Leave the landing point of his R
When he casts Onslaught of Shadows (R), move away from the end of his dash: the shockwave there fears every nearby enemy, longer after a long run.
- Save your CC for his charge
If you have a slow or CC, save it for Devastating Charge (E): he gains speed as he runs, and Warpath (passive) turns it into AD.
- Save your burst for after his W
Wait for Spirit of Dread (W) to end before your burst: while it lasts, he gains armor and magic resist and heals from damage dealt around him.
- Ward his gank paths
Ward his gank paths: Devastating Charge (E) gains speed over time, so he looks to build momentum in the fog of war.
Other Xin Zhao matchups
Patch 16.21.1