Zed is like a ninja who controls shadows to defeat his enemies in the game League of Legends. He's really good at sneaking up on other players and taking them down quickly. Hence, he is an assassin champion. 

Here is everything you need to know about Zed in League of Legends!

Zed abilities in League of Legends

Let’s start with Zed’s abilities in League of Legends:

PASSIVE CONTEMPT FOR THE WEAK

Zed's basic attacks against low health targets deals bonus Magic Damage. This effect can only occur once every few seconds against the same enemy champion.

First off, Zed has a cool trick where he hits enemies who don't have much health left harder than usual, thanks to his Passive - Contempt for the Weak. This means he can finish off weak enemies really well.

Q: RAZOR SHURIKEN

Zed and his shadows throw their shurikens. Each shuriken deals damage to every enemy hit.

Razor Shuriken is where he throws spinning blades that hurt everyone they hit. 

W: LIVING SHADOW

Passive: Zed gains energy whenever he and his shadows strike an enemy with the same ability. Energy can only be gained once per cast ability. Active: Zed's shadow dashes forward, remaining in place for a few seconds. Reactivating Living Shadow will cause Zed to switch positions with this shadow.

Living Shadow lets him send out a shadow version of himself. This shadow can do everything Zed does, making him tricky to fight against. 

E: SHADOW SLASH

Zed and his Shadows slash, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Enemies hit by a Shadow's slash are slowed.

Shadow Slash is a move where Zed spins around, hitting all nearby enemies.

R: DEATH MARK

Zed becomes untargetable and dashes to an enemy champion, marking them. After 3 seconds the mark triggers, repeating a portion of all the damage Zed dealt to the target while they were marked.

Lastly, his R - Death Mark is a powerful move where Zed becomes impossible to hit, dashes to an enemy, and places a mark on them. After a short time, the mark explodes, dealing a lot of damage.

Best Zed build in mid lane

Playing Zed in the middle part of the map, you want to choose items and skills that make him even more dangerous. The most liked setup starts with Voltaic Cyclosword for a strong early game, Ionian Boots of Lucidity for faster ability use, and Youmuu's Ghostblade for speed and damage. Adding Edge of Night, Serylda's Grudge, and Axiom Arc to the mix helps Zed deal more damage, grant skill cooldown, and survive longer in fights. Regarding what abilities to focus on, first improve his Q, then E, and finally W.

If you're looking for different ways to play Zed, there are other items and skills you can try that might work better against certain enemies. These choices depend on who you're fighting against and how the game goes.

Zed counters

When playing against Zed, remember to stay behind your minions so his blades can't hit you directly. Be especially careful when he reaches level 6, as he gets much stronger. Try to avoid getting hit by his attacks, and if you're a character who can heal or has a lot of health, you'll have a better chance against him. Always keep an eye on his energy level; if he's running low, he won't be able to do much.

Here are some of the most popular Zed counters and how to play them:

Ekko

Ekko shines as a counter to Zed for several reasons. Both champions excel in mobility and burst damage, but Ekko has a few tricks up his sleeve that give him an edge. His E ability allows him to close the gap to Zed or escape his attacks, making it easier to engage or disengage. The key to using Ekko effectively against Zed is to bait out Zed's W (Living Shadow), leaving Zed vulnerable. Once Zed's shadow is down, Ekko can go in for trades using his E to dodge Zed's shurikens and Q for poke damage. If Zed tries to commit with his ultimate, Ekko's R (Chronobreak) can undo the damage dealt, essentially nullifying Zed's burst potential. Playing Ekko requires patience and timing to outplay Zed.

Orianna

Orianna is a control mage who can make Zed's life difficult in the lane. Her ability to zone with her Q (Command: Attack) and W (Command: Dissonance) means she can keep Zed at bay and punish him for trying to farm or engage. Orianna's E (Command: Protect) provides a shield that can absorb some of Zed's poke, reducing his ability to whittle down her health for an all-in. The strategy with Orianna is to constantly harass Zed and force him to use his energy and cooldowns to farm under turret, limiting his roaming and kill potential. If Zed ever engages with his R (Death Mark), Orianna can use her ultimate (Command: Shockwave) to disrupt his combo and potentially turn the fight in her favor. Positioning and ball management are key when countering Zed with Orianna.

Pantheon

Pantheon offers a more aggressive approach to countering Zed. As a champion built for early-game dominance, Pantheon can use his Q (Comet Spear) to poke and W (Shield Vault) to stun Zed, setting up a quick burst combo. The stun from Pantheon's W is especially effective after Zed uses his W (Living Shadow), as it leaves him with no escape options. Pantheon's E (Aegis Assault) can block incoming damage from Zed, including the burst from Death Mark, making it harder for Zed to secure kills.

The strategy with Pantheon is to apply constant pressure, forcing Zed to play defensively. By doing so, Pantheon can control the lane, reduce Zed's roaming opportunities, and potentially snowball other lanes.

Zed voice lines

Zed's character comes alive through what he says in the game, like "Without a sound," showing how stealthy he is, or "No technique is forbidden," which tells us he'll do whatever it takes to win. Phrases like "Brave the shadows, find the truth" and "The shadows have enlightened me" give us a peek into his mysterious nature. Here are some of the popular Zed voice lines:

• "Without a sound."
• "No technique is forbidden."
• "Brave the shadows, find the truth."
• "The shadows have enlightened me."
• "Challenge me, Shen... you shall not be an orphan long!"

Zed voice actor

Donald James "Donny" Lucas, a Canadian actor, is Zed's voice. He brings a lot of depth to Zed, making him feel more real and scary in the game.

Zed release date

Zed became part of League of Legends on November 13th, 2012. Since then, he's become a popular choice for players who like to play as assassins because he's fast, can do a lot of damage, and has moves that require skill to use effectively.

Is Zed a villain in LoL?

Zed is not a true villain, but some see him that way. He leads the Order of Shadow and uses shadow magic, which many fear. Zed left his old teacher because he believed peace needed strength. He fights for Ionia, but he does not follow its rules. He chooses power and control to stop enemies. Some champions fear him, but others understand his goal. He wants to protect his land, even if his way is dark.

Who is Zed to Kayn?

Zed is Kayn’s master. He found Kayn during a war and took him into the Order of Shadow. Zed trained him in shadow magic and helped him grow strong. Kayn respects Zed, but he also wants more power. Zed wants balance. Kayn wants to go beyond limits. Their bond is close, but they do not always share the same path.