If you're playing an immobile mage and you don't ban Zed, you're gonna have a bad time.

In my Elo, if you're playing someone like Syndra, Vel'koz, Lux etc. and you don't ban Zed, then you're practically asking to lose. He's received so many buffs these last few patches (I know it's because they nerfed duskblade but some of them were too much imo), that one simple rotation of spells will 100 - 0 you in 4 to 5 seconds flat. I understand that some champions should have favorable matchups but one assassin should not be able to counter **ALL ** mages (I won't include ryze and vlad because they are semi - tanks). Even if said mages were good and knew how to counter zed, it all goes to shit when he buys (or takes null orb).

And don't tell me ''well you can counter him by getting a Stopwatch''. First of all Stopwatch can only be used once (and Seeker's Armguard is a joke) whilst Hexdrinker has a 90 second CD, just low enough to be used in nearly every team fight. Zhonya has a 120 second CD, if you've already used it for something else, then Zed can ult you 2 - 3 times before it comes back again. Remember that he can get 40% CDR with two lethality items and a Black Cleaver.

In conclusion, I think Zed is too strong in lower Elo ( to the point that he's Pick or Ban ). I do agree with the Shuriken damage buffs as it seems to separate good Zeds from bad ones but the Ult CD buff seems to be a bit too strong. All I'm asking for is a bit more breathing room for mages in lane.