I need advice/tips when playing against Zed

BLIGHTBRINGER·Jan 22, 2019·2 votes·2,213 views

I know a decent amount about that champion and how to lane or play generally against him (poke him, fight him when he uses W in lane for example). But the one thing that I struggle to understand is how to counter his R...

There's no way for you to prevent taking any kind of damage from that ability, since he always appears behind you and Zed instantly auto attacks you (and slows you for 99% if he has duskblade), and he can instantly use E & Q after that which also slows you if you are near a shadow.

Usually most people would say use either but then you're just a sitting duck and he can W + E & Q + Electrocute + AA + Ignite to finish you

###So what I am trying to ask is, how do I prevent damage from his R when it's impossible to dodge his abilities or when he's literally on you and you are slowed by 99%?

12 Comments

SyrileJan 22, 20192 votes

Do you have champion preferences? Different champions can handle him (or not) in different ways.

Generally, you need to avoid his other attacks to reduce the damage from his ultimate so depending on the champion is how you do this. Sometimes the best way is to force him to not be as aggressive by outplaying him and keeping him low. I would have not know the champion(s) or if you are happy with basically any champion.

Galio is a good one, but there are others as well. Though... Galio will be shredded soon. :/

GaliöJan 22, 20191 votes

Can always play the pro backup version of Galio with Lissandra, who works better with hourglass so would prob be better against Zed.

SyrileJan 23, 20191 votes

{quoted}

Can always play the pro backup version of Galio with Lissandra, who works better with hourglass so would prob be better against Zed.

I like Galio's kit better. And prior to the abominable changes to what made him a protector, he was more fun to play. Now, I chain buttons and he deletes everyone. After the nerf, he will be genuinely useless. I like Lissandra, to some degree. But she does not have a semi-global or as strong of CC overall (for team fighting).

For Zed specifically, yeah, she is probably a better counter though. :)

GaliöJan 23, 20191 votes

Lissandra technically has more CC than Galio,

But I agree she is kind of boring.

The bug difference between lissandra and Galio right now is he is tankier and has about the same dmg, and has the semi global.

Lissandra has easier CC, mobility, and range and the possibility of 'double hourglass'.

SyrileJan 23, 20191 votes

{quoted}

Lissandra technically has more CC than Galio,

But I agree she is kind of boring.

The bug difference between lissandra and Galio right now is he is tankier and has about the same dmg, and has the semi global.

Lissandra has easier CC, mobility, and range and the possibility of 'double hourglass'.

More maybe. But taunt beats root (for the AOEs). And Knockup is too too strong and a bit too common. But yeah, that is the main thing.. She gets boring really quickly.

GaliöJan 22, 20191 votes

Play pre rework Galio, when he R on top of you, pop your R and W and itll most of his dmg and youll chunk him pretty good.

Crispy0SnakeJan 22, 20191 votes

Zed always appears behind you so you can time your cc and zhonya in such a way that you can just screw him over because he loses duration on his W, you take no damage from his r, and then you can probably cc him again and use your r on him to kill him

Main thing I'd say is get 2 item 1056 for mana and hp and rush item 3191 so you stack the armour as soon as possible. Like if you go item 3802 for mana and then it takes a lot of time. After seekers rush ROA, then Zhonya. At item 3010 he cannot kill you and you just free farm

I'd say go for biscuits and stopwatch secondary so if you get chunked or all inned you can still play the lane, depends what you're playing though

WeeWeeBojanglesJan 22, 20191 votes

Without giving specifics for each champion i can give you some pointers in general.

Lets start with his passive. Minions, monsters, champions take extra damage as magic damage from his auto attack if at or under 50% hp. This has like a 10 second CD. So this makes him pretty good at last hitting. Watch your minions, he will walk up to last hit with an aa if they are at or under 50% hp. Use that time to poke with an aa or ability.

Q- He throws a blade that deals lots of physical damage. But it has reduced damage after the first thing is hit. Keep your minions between the two of you, if your minions are dead pay some respek and back off a bit. Its also a skill shot so get some MS and don't sit still. Be aggressive early. If he has to focus using his q to clear waves thats less damage you are taking.

W- He throws a shadow. The shadow can also replicate his q and e. Pay attention to his shadow. I see to many people try to return trades while just standing on his w, then they get deleted. If a shadow and zed hit the same champion with his e he gets energy back.

E- A whoosh ability. Zed and his shadows do a circular swipe attack. This slows for like 30% or something. Once zed hits 3 he hits a phat power spike.

His combo is W->E->Q->W->AA->ignite His combo is usually W->E(this slows you)->Q( now that you are slowed the q is pretty easy to land)-> W( to teleport to shadow)->AA-> Ignite

PING MIA!!! if hes not in lane and not dead hes probably on his way to kill the adc or gank top if its overextended. This is usually the biggest way he snowballs.

Take exhaust or barrier. Personally i always forget my opponent takes barrier and miscalculate the damage i can do

FéliXXXJan 22, 20191 votes

item 1029

BLIGHTBRINGERJan 22, 20192 votes

Zed just laughs in Black Cleaver regardless how much Armor I would have.

FéliXXXJan 22, 20191 votes

[{quoted}](name=Darkin Hybrid,realm=EUW,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=Ox7usOgN,comment-id=00040000,timestamp=2019-01-22T21:51:16.531+0000)

Zed just laughs in Black Cleaver regardless how much Armor I would have.

nah it doesnt work like that