Zilean vs Senna
Skill matchup
Build vs Senna
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Zilean: Shurelya's Battlesong, Imperial Mandate, Bandlepipes, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Solstice Sleigh, Zaz'Zak's Realmspike, Locket of the Iron Solari, Celestial Opposition.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Senna's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
When units die near Senna, their souls are periodically trapped by the Black Mist. Senna can attack these souls to free them, absorbing the Mist that held them in death. Mist fuels her Relic Cannon's power with increased Attack Damage, Attack Range, and Critical Strike Chance. Attacks from Senna's Relic Cannon take longer to fire, deal bonus damage, and briefly grant her a portion of her target's Move Speed.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 15s | 11s | 26s | – |
| 6 | 15s | 11s | 26s | 2m20 |
| 9 | 15s | 11s | 26s | 2m20 |
| 11 | 15s | 11s | 26s | 2m |
| 16 | 15s | 11s | 23s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 15s | 11s | 20s | 1m40 |
Playing as Zilean
Tips to maximize your impact
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Senna
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Punish her when she goes for a soul
Take a trade when she steps up for a soul: each bit of Mist she absorbs with Absolution (passive) gives her AD, attack range and crit.
- Spread out if her embrace hits you
If Last Embrace (W) hits you, move away from your allies: after a short delay, you and nearby allies are rooted.
- Target her when she steps up
If you can engage, target her when she steps up for Piercing Darkness (Q): she has no dash to get away.
- Beware the wraiths
Back off when her team disappears into Curse of the Black Mist (E): her allies are camouflaged there, then fast and unselectable.
Other Zilean matchups
Patch 16.21.1