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Runes Reforged made Zilean support great again

AgentBlack·11/8/2017, 5:35:32 PM·1 votes·2,145 views

It literally solved everything holding him back.

Problems with Zilean support before Runes Reforged

  1. No synergy with keystones

Maxing Q in lane makes Zilean a lackluster poke support, so instead you max E-W. Unfortunately, this makes any attempt at damage pointless and you're left with a terrible choice between Thunderlord's and Windspeaker's. Which brings us to...

  1. No synergy with +Heal/Shield stat

Slightly more healing on his ult is nice, but otherwise Zilean's kit gets no value out of this stat, which is core on many attractive support items. This makes him dependent on item purchases that synergize with each other, which can be difficult because...

  1. Terrible early game

Zilean support gets way less mileage out of his keystone than most supports, and maxing E-W leaves you with just utility and no damage in lane. His spells are also horribly inefficient, especially his Q-stun combo at a whopping 150 mana cost, so you have to pick your trades carefully and still rarely win them. It's very easy to get behind and compromise your midgame power spike (max E, rank 3 W, 25% CDR).

Runes Reforged solves literally everything

  1. Guardian and Summon Aery are excellent keystone options. They give Zilean even more defensive power and flexibility, and some much-needed synergy with the +Heal/Shield stat. His E will cheaply and instantly proc either keystone, and Guardian in particular carries the potential for a massive 120% haste.

  2. There's more potential CDR between Transcendence, Ultimate Hat, Cosmic Insight, etc., and since Transcendence gives value to your excess CDR, Zilean support can feel better about rushing the CDR cap early game. Optimizing CDR also brings Zilean's ult cooldown to a frankly ridiculous 27 seconds.

  3. Manaflow Band and Biscuit Delivery help compensate for Zilean's terrible mana efficiency, which ceases to be a problem altogether after just 100% mana regen between your items. You can actually use your spells in lane, especially with your keystone adding defensive value to E.

Seriously, it's excellent. Try this bad boy out.

2 Comments

BenBaxter11/8/2017, 5:39:31 PM1 votes

and many other champions .

SuperCosmicHobo11/8/2017, 5:58:26 PM1 votes

Transcendence that gives you 10% cdr but over capping cdr gives I think 5 ap per 1% cdr is good on Zilean. No matter what, you are eventually going to hit pass that cap as Zilean. Zilean's abilities synergies very, very well for a bursting arcane comet. E-Q-W-Q-E and you literally got 2 arcane comets off of that late game, allowing Zilean to play semi-burst Assassin mage like he use to be. Ultimate hat is very, very strong on Zilean. What do you get when your ult cd is about 33 seconds but you subtract about 15% more from it? You get a ult that is about 28 seconds. Run Celerity on Zilean and your 99% speed boost will give you a lot of ap most likely. Zilean is a champ that is based on time, gathering storm will make him very very bursty late game. Before he was labeled mage/support, I remember seeing that he was Mage/Assassin lol. Fun note: If Zoe puts someone to sleep, q and hits target, during that time Zilean lines up for a double bomb. You are talking about massive death damage. The time it takes for Zoe's Q to recharge will most likely recharge by the time Zilean's stun almost ends.