Zaahen Build Guide

Zaahen Build Guide

Overview

If you ever thought that new champion kits are bloated and can do too much, well, you're not going to like Zaahen. He's a champion with mobility, sustain, CC, damage, and even a built-in revive. A product of modern League of Legends, Zaahen is a pick for anyone who wants the ability to carry, especially from top lane. You can check out our full page on him here, including all of his builds and how he does in ARAM, ARAM Mayhem, and more.

Zaahen Top Builds

Zaahen

Zaahen Runes

Build Patch: 16.4
Precision
Domination
Sorcery
Inspiration
Resolve
Press the Attack
Lethal Tempo
Fleet Footwork
Conqueror
Absorb Life
Triumph
Presence of Mind
Legend: Alacrity
Legend: Haste
Legend: Bloodline
Coup de Grace
Cut Down
Last Stand
Domination
Sorcery
Inspiration
Resolve
Demolish
Font of Life
Shield Bash
Conditioning
Second Wind
Bone Plating
Overgrowth
Revitalize
Unflinching
5008
5005
5007
5008
5010
5001
5011
5013
5001

Zaahen Core Build-volgorde

Health Potion
Trinity Force
Plated Steelcaps
Sundered Sky
Death's Dance
Maw of Malmortius
Endless Hunger

Item Build Patch

Sheen
Phage
Hearthbound Axe
Trinity Force
Boots
Cloth Armor
Plated Steelcaps
Ruby Crystal
Tunneler
Caulfield's Warhammer
Sundered Sky

Situationele items

Stridebreaker
Black Cleaver
Spear of Shojin
Guardian Angel
Spirit Visage
Randuin's Omen
Blade of The Ruined King

Summoner Spells

Keys to Remember for Zaahen

  1. Much of your kit's strength revolves around being able to fully stack your passive - not only do you do more damage with it, you gain access to your revive, which will either revive you or give you a 5 second window to beat down your opponent. This means you want to commit to all-ins with him, as you can turn even 1v2 situations in your favor as long as you can finish stacking your passive.

  2. For team fights, you can provide a lot of damage thanks to Grim Deliverance [R], and even if you aren't able to fully stack your passive, you can play more as a nuke and pseudo tank thanks to the sustain on your ultimate. You're more likely to play a disruptor, but if enemies ignore you and allow you to stack your passive, you can easily clean up fights.

Strengths

To be frank, Zaahen is a champion that launched with a 50%+ win rate, which is pretty absurd for new champions as it typically takes times for players to become accustomed to them. He doesn't have any glaring power troughs between early and late game, which means he's always going to have pressure. This combined with CC, a built-in revive, sustain, and a ton of damage makes him a huge carry threat from top lane.

Weaknesses

His passive's max stacks is at 12 attacks, which is a lot of auto-attacks that you're going to need to land to get the most out of it. Enemies are typically going to prevent you from being able to do that in team fights in particular. He does, however, need to have this passive up before he's able to cash in on his revive -- this means there's some risk and counter-play at the ready.

Game Plan 

  1. Early Game: You want to avoid short trades with opponents -- the ideal situation is to force a full commit so you can make use of your passive. Commit to the fight!

  2. Mid Game: At this stage, you'll have a lot of side lane pressure when it comes to duels, especially against other melee champions or immobile mages. Team fights are going to rely on you hitting a big ultimate to find immediate value, otherwise you may find yourself kited to death.

  3. Late Game: The plan is similar to the mid game -- side lane control will be key for you unless you're confident in your ability to fully stack your passive in a team fight.