Zilean vs Leona

Zilean
vs
51.0%

over 245 games

Leona

Skill matchup

Heavy CCStrong engageHeavy AP damageVery tanky

Build vs Leona

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Zilean: Shurelya's Battlesong, Bandlepipes, Imperial Mandate, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Solstice Sleigh, Mikael's Blessing, Zaz'Zak's Realmspike, Locket of the Iron Solari.

Starting items

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Shurelya's Battlesong
1
Bandlepipes
2
Imperial Mandate
3

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Solstice Sleigh
5

Summoner spells

FlashHeal64%
ExhaustFlash26%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Solstice Sleigh
Mikael's Blessing
Zaz'Zak's Realmspike
Locket of the Iron Solari
Celestial Opposition
Seraph's Embrace
Luden's Echo
Knight's Vow
Cosmic Drive
Redemption
Tear of the Goddess
Dark Seal
Dream Maker
Oblivion Orb
Mejai's Soulstealer
Frozen Heart
Zhonya's Hourglass
Protoplasm Harness
Seeker's Armguard
Malignance
Morellonomicon
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
Liandry's Torment
Diadem of Songs
Shadowflame
Fimbulwinter
Banshee's Veil
Actualizer
46.7% WR15 games
SorcerySorcery
Summon AerySummon Aery
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
WaterwalkingWaterwalking
DominationDomination
Relentless HunterRelentless Hunter
Cheap ShotCheap Shot
Ability HasteAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Leona's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Sunlight (P)

Damaging spells afflict enemies with Sunlight for 1.5 seconds. When allied Champions deal damage to those targets, they consume the Sunlight to deal additional magic damage.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
35s14s12s–
65s14s12s1m30
95s13s12s1m30
115s12s12s1m15
165s10s9s1m
185s10s6s1m

Playing as Zilean

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Double bomb to stun

    Place Time Bomb (Q), reset it with Rewind (W), then place the second one on the same target: the first explodes instantly and stuns enemies around it.

  2. Speed up an ally or slow an enemy

    Cast Time Warp (E) on the ally who needs to catch up or escape, or on the enemy to slow: the same spell does both.

  3. Place your ult just before they die

    Place Chronoshift (R) on your carry right before they die: too early and the enemy switches targets, and if they die with the rune, they revive after a stasis.

  4. Give your XP at the right time

    Give the Time In A Bottle (passive) experience to an ally who is close to leveling up: you receive as much as you give.

Playing against Leona

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Respect her level 2

    Back off if she reaches level 2 before you: Zenith Blade (E) then Shield of Daybreak (Q) root you, then stun you.

  2. Trade after her E

    Trade right after Zenith Blade (E): it's her only dash to engage, and it has a 12 to 6 second cooldown.

  3. Don't line up with an ally

    Don't stand in line with an ally when facing her: Zenith Blade (E) damages every enemy in its path and roots the last champion hit.

  4. Save your answer for her engage

    If you have a knockback or a cleanse, save it for her engage: her whole combo relies on Zenith Blade (E) followed by a stun.

  5. Get out of the center of her R

    When Solar Flare (R) lands, get out of the center: it stuns, while the edge only slows.

Patch 16.21.1