Introduction
As a fan-favorite assassin in League of Legends, Shadow Hunter Zed has become a popular pick among many players. However, mastering him can take time and careful consideration of the right items to build. In this guide, we will explore how to properly gear up as a Shadow Hunter Zed player.
Starting Items
For the early game, it is important to prioritize building damage and sustain. Starting with Long Sword and three Health Potions is a good option, as it gives you both the ability to deal damage and heal yourself. Another good starting item can be Doran's Blade, which gives both AD and health, but only one Health Potion.
Core Items
As Zed's core playstyle revolves around dealing massive damage and quickly taking down his enemies, building items that can amplify his damage output and provide mobility is key.
The first core item that Zed players should aim for is the Youmuu's Ghostblade. This item provides Zed with the necessary burst damage he needs to take down squishy targets and gives him extra mobility with its active effect.
Next, Zed players should consider building Duskblade of Draktharr. This item enhances Zed's assassination potential as it provides additional damage and a passive effect where he can go invisible after killing an enemy. These two items are the core of Zed's build and will help him to dominate in the mid-game.
Boots and Defensive Items
The next step is to consider what boots and defensive items to build. For boots, Zed players should aim for Boots of Mobility as they provide extra mobility to roam and gank other lanes. Mercury's Treads are also good boots to consider if the enemy team has a lot of CC or magic damage.
For defensive items, Zed players should build based on the composition of the enemy team. If the enemy team is heavy on AP damage, building Maw of Malmortius can give you both magic resist and damage output. For AD heavy teams, building a Guardian Angel can provide both armor and a revive effect.
Situational Items
Lastly, Zed players should consider situational items based on the situation they are currently in. If the enemy team has a lot of healing, building an Executioner's Calling or Mortal Reminder can help you to reduce their healing potential. If the enemy team has a lot of tanks, building a Black Cleaver can help you to shred their armor.
Another good item to consider is the Edge of Night which provides an extra shield and the ability to block one incoming ability. This can be especially useful when trying to dive into the backline to take down a priority target.
Conclusion
Building the right items for Shadow Hunter Zed can be crucial for either snowballing your team to victory or falling behind and becoming irrelevant. By following the suggestions in this guide, you can increase your chances of dominating the game and achieving victory with this deadly assassin.
