Delayed-tempo support-mage build: Zilean does not win through raw force, but by deforming exchange timing, giving the right ally a second life, and making enemy engages much messier than they should be. The build must therefore serve access to those timings rather than decorative AP.
Standard build maximizing damage output. Use on neutral matchups or when ahead.
10,500 total cost
Nothing dominates on the other side: the standard build maximizes your damage.
Open this draft in the tool →Poke build, favors ranged pressure before close-range fights.
10,450 total cost -50gEngage build, initiates fights and chains crowd control.
10,300 total cost -200g
Allied engage to follow up: Pantheon, Lee Sin.
Open this draft in the tool →
Share of the roster this champion outclasses, at each stage of the game.
50% = average for the roster at that point of the game, 90% = among the strongest. The three phases come from the site's editorial tempo grid (early/mid/late, rated across 142 champions); the level-by-level curve adds this build's computed spikes — ultimate, completed items — never by more than ±8 points.
Standard build maximizing damage output. Use on neutral matchups or when ahead.
15,100 total costNothing dominates on the other side: the standard build maximizes your damage.
Open this draft in the tool →Anti-resist build for tanky enemies. Choose when multiple enemies build armor/magic resist.
15,100 total costDefensive build adding survivability. Pick this against high enemy damage or when behind.
15,500 total cost +400g
Share of the roster this champion outclasses, at each stage of the game.
50% = average for the roster at that point of the game, 90% = among the strongest. The three phases come from the site's editorial tempo grid (early/mid/late, rated across 142 champions); the level-by-level curve adds this build's computed spikes — ultimate, completed items — never by more than ±8 points.
Your hardest matchups in this role, and the item from your situational list that answers each one.
Same advisor in the Draft (the MVP sheet applies it to your real draft) and in Ask Nexus, which explains the choice. On counters pages: the variant to take against each counter-pick.
Skill leveling order and rune choices explained, from our in-depth kit analysis (patch 7.0e). Ability numbers are from patch 7.3; up-to-date items are in the section above.
Zilean generates value over time. The build maximizes spell rotations and fight control rather than raw burst.
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Tap an ability for its per-rank numbers. Source: official Tencent data (Chinese server), patch 7.3 — may lead or lag the global server by a sub-patch.
Q bombs poke, E hastes allies — Aery alternates offense and protection at the pace of your spells.
slows W Time Warp applied activate Font of Life to heal the carry.
Reduces incoming damage during his approaches to place his bombes Q.
Amplifies heals passive effects and the R Chronoshift for maximize the revives.
Reduces cooldown of the R Chronoshift to ressusciter his allies more often in teamfights.
Revitalize
Perseverance
