Zed Guide: Mastering the Shadow Assassin in Season 14

Zed Guide: Mastering the Shadow Assassin in Season 14

By Marcus Chen

January 6, 2025 at 06:50 PM

Zed is a mobile assassin who excels at eliminating high-priority targets through calculated burst damage and swift escapes. As the leader of the Order of Shadows, he wields forbidden shadow magic that makes him one of League's most mechanically demanding champions.

Core Abilities

Ability Priority: R > Q > E > W

  • Q (Razor Shuriken): Primary damage ability, maxed first
  • W (Living Shadow): Essential mobility tool that enables combos
  • E (Shadow Slash): AoE damage and slow
  • R (Death Mark): Ultimate assassination ability

Key Combos

Standard Trading Combo:

  • W > E > Q: Place shadow, slow target, land shurikens

All-in Combo:

  • R > W > E > Q > AA: Maximum burst damage potential
  • Hit all 3 shurikens for optimal damage output

Safe Ranged Combo:

  • W > R > W > E > Q: Maintains safe distance while dealing damage

Extended Fight Combo (vs Bruisers):

  • W > E > Q > R > W > E > Q > R: Sustained damage while kiting

Core Items

Starting:

  • Long Sword + 3 Health Potions

Essential Items:

  • Eclipse
  • Youmuu's Ghostblade
  • Serylda's Grudge

Situational:

  • Edge of Night (vs CC)
  • Death's Dance (vs AD)
  • Maw of Malmortius (vs AP)

Laning Strategy

Early Game:

  • Use Q to farm safely and poke
  • Conserve energy until level 3
  • Trade when W is available
  • Watch enemy cooldowns

Mid Game:

  • Roam to side lanes
  • Look for isolated targets
  • Split push when ultimate is down
  • Track enemy CC abilities

Late Game:

  • Focus on eliminating priority targets
  • Split push to create pressure
  • Use shadows for creative engage angles
  • Save W for escape when needed

Tips

  • Your power spikes at level 3 and 6
  • W cooldown management is crucial
  • Track enemy defensive summoner spells
  • Use shadows to juke skillshots
  • Ward enemy jungle camps for pick potential

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