Zaahen vs Sion
Skill matchup
You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.
Build vs Sion
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Zaahen: Trinity Force, Stridebreaker, Death's Dance, Plated Steelcaps, Black Cleaver, Maw of Malmortius, Endless Hunger, Ravenous Hydra.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Sion's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
After being killed, Sion will temporarily reanimate with rapidly decaying Health. His attacks become very rapid, heal him, and deal bonus damage based on his target's maximum Health.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 15s | 12s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 15s | 12s | 2m20 |
| 9 | 6s | 14s | 12s | 2m20 |
| 11 | 6s | 13s | 12s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 6s | 11s | 10s | 1m |
| 18 | 6s | 11s | 8s | 1m |
Playing as Zaahen
Tips to maximize your impact
- The Darkin Glaive, then recast
Cast The Darkin Glaive (Q) for an auto that strikes twice and heals you, then recast the spell: your next auto knocks your target into the air.
- Pull them in with your stab
Cast Dreaded Return (W) at a target out of your range: the stab damages them, then pulls them toward you for a second hit.
- Hit with the edge of your slice
Place Aureate Rush (E) so your target is at the edge of the slice: at the tip, they take bonus damage based on their max health.
- Build up your Determination
Hit champions with your autos and spells: each Determination stack from Cultivation of War (passive) gives you attack damage, and at max stacks, you can revive.
- Dive in with your ult
Cast Grim Deliverance (R) in the middle of a fight: you take less damage as you rise, then your dive heals you based on the damage dealt to champions.
Playing against Sion
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Leave his Smash area
Leave the area while he charges Decimating Smash (Q): past 1 second of charge, the hit applies a knock-up and a stun, for up to 2.25 seconds.
- Break his shield
Break the Soul Furnace (W) shield before he detonates it: he can only trigger it if the shield still holds.
- Dodge his charge sideways
Step to the side of Unstoppable Onslaught (R): he turns poorly once it's launched, and his charge stops on the first champion hit.
- Back off when he comes back to life
Back off as soon as he dies: during Glory in Death (passive), his autos are much faster and deal damage based on your max health, but his health drains fast.
Other Zaahen matchups
Patch 16.21.1