Zed vs Sylas

Zed
vs
50.8%

over 1797 games

Sylas

Skill matchup

Heavy AP damageHigh burstDive threatHigh sustain

Build vs Sylas

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Zed: Voltaic Cyclosword, Bastionbreaker, Axiom Arc, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Edge of Night, Serylda's Grudge, Hubris, Serpent's Fang.

Starting items

Scorchclaw Pup
Health Potion

Core build

Voltaic Cyclosword
1
Bastionbreaker
2
Axiom Arc
3

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Edge of Night
5

Summoner spells

FlashSmite100%
SmiteDot0%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Edge of Night
Serylda's Grudge
Hubris
Serpent's Fang
Lord Dominik's Regards
Serrated Dirk
Eclipse
Endless Hunger
Guardian Angel
Mortal Reminder
Maw of Malmortius
Youmuu's Ghostblade
Spear of Shojin
Black Cleaver
Executioner's Calling
Umbral Glaive
B. F. Sword
Death's Dance
Chempunk Chainsword
Profane Hydra
The Collector
Quicksilver Sash
Phantom Dancer
Kaenic Rookern
Mercurial Scimitar
58.7% WR225 games
InspirationInspiration
First StrikeFirst Strike
Cash BackCash Back
Triple TonicTriple Tonic
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
DominationDomination
Treasure HunterTreasure Hunter
Sudden ImpactSudden Impact
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Sylas's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Petricite Burst (P)

After casting a spell, Sylas stores a charge of Petricite Burst. Sylas's basic attacks will expend a charge and whirl his energized chains around him dealing bonus magic damage to enemies hit. While Sylas has a charge of Petricite Burst, he gains attack speed.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s12s13s–
68s12s13s1m20
96s10.5s13s1m20
116s9s13s55s
166s6s11s30s
186s6s9s30s

Playing as Zed

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Combo with two shadows

    To kill, cast Death Mark (R), then Living Shadow (W), Shadow Slash (E) and Razor Shuriken (Q): with two shadows, you throw three shurikens.

  2. Dodge with Death Mark

    Cast Death Mark (R) just as the enemy casts their decisive spell: during the dash, you're untargetable.

  3. Save the swap back to your shadow

    After Death Mark (R), save the recast to get out: you swap places with the shadow left at your starting point, far from the fight.

  4. Save your energy

    Save enough energy for a full combo rather than casting your spells for nothing: Living Shadow (W) refunds energy when you and your shadow hit the same target.

  5. Flank to reach the carry

    In teamfights, go around the sides and save Death Mark (R) for an isolated target: going in from the front exposes you to the whole team's CC.

Playing against Sylas

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Keep minions between his chain and you

    Stay behind your minions after his Abscond (E): the Abduct (E) chain pulls him to the first enemy hit, and only that one takes the knock-up.

  2. Don't trust his low health

    Don't go all-in just because his health is low: Kingslayer (W) heals him more as he loses health.

  3. Back off after each of his spells

    Get out of his range as soon as he casts a spell: each spell charges Petricite Burst (passive), and his next auto hits around him with bonus magic damage.

  4. Fight when he can't steal from you

    Take the fight when Hijack (R) is on cooldown: he then can't copy your ult and turn it against your team.

Patch 16.21.1