So. . . I want to main Zilean

JakeTheTwink·Jun 17, 2015·1 votes·1,241 views

I have a decent amount of fun playing him, but I feel that I'm missing a lot about his playstyle. What are some items that go really well with him? And what should I be doing, ideally? I've been playing him nonstop, but not winning a lot, and the games take forever and I hope that isn't simply caused by the fact that I'm a shoddy support.

I just feel like he'd make a good main for me, I love support characters and his style is really fun, at least what I know of it.

10 Comments

Rıots Bad ClientJun 17, 20152 votes

I'm kind of a Zilean main. Here is what ive been doing.

-What I've been doing is Maxing R>E>Q>W. -Slow them down with E than Q-W-Q them for a easy stun. -If you are being jumped on and your all alone Q-W-Q On your self. stunning everyone around. Trying to Q-W-Q anything else is really REALLY risky. and since you don't do damage, just become a mini amumu is better. -During team fights, use the ult on your carry(the one whos being focused) this isn't the greatest but it wards off things like Ekko, talon, LB anyone who can one shot your carry and they can play like idiots. -Speed your self, hit W slow them down. This is a great way to engage but It can leave you in a awkward spot if you go to far. -Don't ult your self if you can ult anyone else.... like anyone..... Don't waste your ult for the first 2 ranks on your self.) -I like to build ROA, before 20min, but if I can't Build Righteous glory.(Usally the righteous glory is the best option) -Q-W-Q in a safe place in the lane so you don't take farm. (Some times you don't even want the stun, just use it to zone them) but.... -I actually reccomend not getting the Spellthief's Edge and instead get the Relic Shield incase you can't help but Q-w-Q on creeps to get the stun(this way you can safely give cash to your carry) -Build Max Cdr, You're basically a walking Ga for everyone. -Also build Tanky rather than Damage, this way people can't pop you and you can ult the.... not tanky people. -Ward -Upgrade trinkets. -Build banner of command and/or Zz'Rot Portal. (this to help push waves) -Don't leave your carry. -I personally like grabing TP so I can Tp to ult. -I build mad damage if I'm with a friend and twitch(Put a bomb on him, speed his ass up, he goes invisible and he goes next to em, and pOP)

JakeTheTwinkJun 17, 20151 votes

What are some tanky items you'd suggest picking up? Also, you say to max in the order of R>E>Q>W. Does that mean you typically get E first?

Rıots Bad ClientJun 18, 20151 votes

{quoted}

What are some tanky items you'd suggest picking up? Also, you say to max in the order of R>E>Q>W. Does that mean you typically get E first?

-Tanky items that work pretty well with Zil nye the time guy- Banner of command (The most underrated item, Don't get the solari and this) Rylai's (If you are in need of a ap person) Athene's Grail or morellonomicon ZZ'rot portal (Good item, kinda cheap, and give good Mr and Armor) Face of the mountain (My preferred choice in starting items, overall a solid item) Locket of the iron solari (a pretty solid item that give Cdr, and gives you more Utility) Mikael's Crubible(not exactly the best option, but its pretty good with heavy CC teams.) Rightesous Glory (Its like hitting E on everyone, then speed your tank up, for the ultimate engage) Zhonya's Hourglass(Pretty good against a fed zed, Fizz and what not- and makes you pretty tough too) Ruby Sight stone (beef these suckers once you get the chance)

(I'm not telling you to get all of them, most are situational.)

Q-W-Q-E-E-R-E-E-E-Q-R-Q-W-Q-W-R-W-W

In lane- Getting Q and W first for the stun, second Q for stronger harass(However if they are poking/Stonger harass/OR they have a melee supp like LEO, Braum) I get E at level 3.

I rarely use my Q-W-Q combo in lane unless I know I can get it off(Don't waste your mana). Saving W for a gank mean you and your ally can esc much. Some times you even want to throw your Q-W-Q on your ally if they are going to be jumped on.

Maxing E-You have more a of reliant CC and you can get your Q-W-Q off much MUCH easier, help the adc Kite/reposition/chase, easier ways to avoid ganks, even help set up ganks and You can roam much easier(If you get the Ancient Coin, don't bother roaming-you'll just missout a bunch of gold) Maxing Q- Stronger Harass, and longer Stun, and a zoning tool.

Building tanky over pure AP means in team fights you won't pop or chased out. (again ult someone else over yourself, you're Zilean- Old, you lived a good life. If I'm the 1st focus I usally ult my (Ap or AD)carry before I die. But this means you will be missing out on some damge... oh wait, you're a supp....

Zilean AP ratio is actually not the best and his only damage is Q. Literately one MR item will cut your damage a bajillion rendering you useless(At least your R's will be stronger). And more than half the time you'll just be throwing your Q on tanks, because if you are in range of the carries in the back you must be in the face of their tank... with a butt load of CC.

CodeJun 18, 20151 votes

{quoted}

I'm kind of a Zilean main. Here is what ive been doing.

-What I've been doing is Maxing R>E>Q>W. -Slow them down with E than Q-W-Q them for a easy stun. -If you are being jumped on and your all alone Q-W-Q On your self. stunning everyone around. Trying to Q-W-Q anything else is really REALLY risky. and since you don't do damage, just become a mini amumu is better. -During team fights, use the ult on your carry(the one whos being focused) this isn't the greatest but it wards off things like Ekko, talon, LB anyone who can one shot your carry and they can play like idiots. -Speed your self, hit W slow them down. This is a great way to engage but It can leave you in a awkward spot if you go to far. -Don't ult your self if you can ult anyone else.... like anyone..... Don't waste your ult for the first 2 ranks on your self.) -I like to build ROA, before 20min, but if I can't Build Righteous glory.(Usally the righteous glory is the best option) -Q-W-Q in a safe place in the lane so you don't take farm. (Some times you don't even want the stun, just use it to zone them) but.... -I actually reccomend not getting the Spellthief's Edge and instead get the Relic Shield incase you can't help but Q-w-Q on creeps to get the stun(this way you can safely give cash to your carry) -Build Max Cdr, You're basically a walking Ga for everyone. -Also build Tanky rather than Damage, this way people can't pop you and you can ult the.... not tanky people. -Ward -Upgrade trinkets. -Build banner of command and/or Zz'Rot Portal. (this to help push waves) -Don't leave your carry. -I personally like grabing TP so I can Tp to ult. -I build mad damage if I'm with a friend and twitch(Put a bomb on him, speed his ass up, he goes invisible and he goes next to em, and pOP)

uh do you have another account? barely play him on this one?

RookPusherJun 17, 20152 votes

I generally build, in order, the following items:

item 3301 to item 3096 item 2049 item 3020 item 3028 to item 3174 item 3157 item 3151

Once I have this, I sell item 3096 and get item 3089

JakeTheTwinkJun 17, 20151 votes

The person below says that tanky is the way to go. Can you tell me why you believe this AP-centric build to be preferable?

RookPusherJun 18, 20152 votes

{quoted}

The person below says that tanky is the way to go. Can you tell me why you believe this AP-centric build to be preferable?

Well it works with his style a lot better. It boosts his R and his Q. This is especially beneficial if you've got a team full of AD. It gives you amazing wave clear and a real threat to zone with. Those bombs do a lot of work.

I'm mainly suggesting it because I have a lot of success with it. Once you build mana, your CDR combined with your W means you can almost constantly bomb.

insaiyanbaccaJun 18, 20151 votes

Well I'd love to help but I play him mid xD

JakeTheTwinkJun 21, 20151 votes

How does that work for you? I wouldn't mind giving it a try. Any tips?

insaiyanbaccaJun 21, 20151 votes

well zilean has high enough base damages that if you can land your bombs you can probly kill the enemy mid at level 2-3 so that helps, but what i normally do with him is go for morello first then athene's for the 40% cdr asap along with mana regen for increased bomb chucking after that i usually go for rabadon's/zhonya's then void staff then the other item i didnt build and i grab sorc shoes usually while building athene's. now there are two different ways i play it depending on the matchup i either go super aggressive early(lvl2-3) to go for first blood using my base damages and the double bomb, or i go less aggressive and try kite them out if they jump on me this i usually only do against things like ekko because once you get e you can just e him when he jumps on you q him use w q him again and speed out. other then those early i use my ult just to try and not die in lane or bait and later on use it to save other team mates as usual.