Draft / Ranked opening · separate from item 1
Scorchclaw Pup
450 goldProvides Smite progression and the attack-oriented Jungle companion.
Game patch 26.20Data Dragon 16.20.1
Reference patch 16.20.1
Zed Jungle · Normal Draft
Zed Jungle is a reviewed secondary role with a real clear and assassin gank pattern, while Mid remains his primary role. This label describes a deliberate playable route, not a claim that it is equally reliable.
Reviewed secondaryStandard Summoner's Rift preparationHistorical referenceRecommendation review pending
These patches track recommendation review, build validation and item lookup separately. Updating item data does not complete a build review.
- Recommendation patch
- 16.16 Data Dragon
- Build validation patch
- 16.19.1 Data Dragon
- Item lookup patch
- 16.20.1 Data Dragon
Normal Draft · Jungle
Evidence-supported Zed Jungle
Follow the completed-item order as a pre-game reference. Components and owned items do not create extra inventory slots.
First item
Voltaic Cyclosword
3,000 goldThis item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.
Boots
Ionian Boots of Lucidity
900 goldThis is the most-supported Boots choice in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot; change it when the opposing damage or crowd control calls for a different defence.
Core
Axiom Arc
2,750 goldThis item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.
Late
Serylda's Grudge
3,000 goldThis item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.
Flexible
Edge of Night
3,000 goldKeeps a reviewed late option after the prior-patch cross-check; move or replace it only when its stated match problem is present.
Final safety
Guardian Angel
3,200 goldCompletes the six-item inventory with a revive for a late fight after the damage core is established.
Complete build choices
Choose the route before play
Recommendation review pending
AlternativeToo much healingChempunk Chainsword adds anti-heal without abandoning attack damage and health.
View full route▾
Best when: Chempunk Chainsword adds anti-heal without abandoning attack damage and health.
- First itemVoltaic Cyclosword
- BootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
- Chempunk Chainsword
- LateSerylda's Grudge
- FlexibleEdge of Night
- Final safetyGuardian Angel
AlternativePhysical burstDeath's Dance delays physical damage so takedowns can stabilise the fight.
View full route▾
Best when: Death's Dance delays physical damage so takedowns can stabilise the fight.
- First itemVoltaic Cyclosword
- BootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
- Death's Dance
- LateSerylda's Grudge
- FlexibleEdge of Night
- Final safetyGuardian Angel
AlternativeSustained magic damageKaenic Rookern is a defensive answer when repeated magic damage is the real problem.
View full route▾
Best when: Kaenic Rookern is a defensive answer when repeated magic damage is the real problem.
- First itemVoltaic Cyclosword
- BootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
- CoreAxiom Arc
- Kaenic Rookern
- FlexibleEdge of Night
- Final safetyGuardian Angel
Runes and summoner spells
Runes and summoner spellsZedJungle
The assassin page focuses one reachable target after clearing. Smite stays available for camps and objectives; the second spell reflects the champion's normal access pattern.
Domination
Electrocute
Sudden Impact
Grisly Mementos
Relentless Hunter
Precision
Triumph
Coup de Grace
Flash
SmiteSmite is part of Jungle companion progression and objective security. The movement or combat spell beside it is the adjustable slot.
Ghost can fit sustained access; Flash can fit one immediate reposition. Use the champion's route and intended fights to choose.
Static alternatives
Compare the problem before changing the plan
These choices are not selected from live scores. Use one only after you identify the stated match problem yourself.
Too much healing
Chempunk Chainsword
Chempunk Chainsword adds anti-heal without abandoning attack damage and health.
Physical burst
Death's Dance
Death's Dance delays physical damage so takedowns can stabilise the fight.
Sustained magic damage
Kaenic Rookern
Kaenic Rookern is a defensive answer when repeated magic damage is the real problem.
Kit reference
Zed abilities
Ability names, descriptions and numeric fields come from Riot Data Dragon. Practical reads are independently written; the current in-game tooltip remains authoritative.
Abilities Data Dragon 16.20.1Cooldown / Cost / Range Data Dragon 16.20.1
P
Passive
Contempt for the Weak
What it doesZed'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.
Practical readContempt for the Weak is an automatic part of the kit involving damage. Track when its condition is active instead of treating every fight the same way.
Q
Q ability
Razor Shuriken
What it doesZed and his shadows throw their shurikens. Each shuriken deals damage to every enemy hit.
Practical readRazor Shuriken contributes damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.
Cooldown6 secCost75/70/65/60/55Listed range900 units
W
W ability
Living Shadow
What it doesPassive: 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.
Practical readLiving Shadow is part of Zed's W pattern. Read its listed effect first, then track the cooldown and condition that make the next use valuable.
Cooldown20/19/18/17/16 secCost40/35/30/25/20Listed range650 units
Movement
The cast changes position or access. Account for where the champion finishes, not only where the ability begins.
E
E ability
Shadow Slash
What it doesZed and his Shadows slash, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Enemies hit by a Shadow's slash are slowed.
Practical readShadow Slash contributes a slowing effect and damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.
Cooldown5/4.5/4/3.5/3 secCost40Listed range290 units
R
Ultimate
Death Mark
What it doesZed 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.
Practical readDeath Mark contributes damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.
Cooldown120/110/100 secListed range625 units
Movement
The cast changes position or access. Account for where the champion finishes, not only where the ability begins.
Adapt the plan
What to do when the game changes
Judge the whole lane or map state, not only personal kills. Choose the situation closest to the current game.
Ahead plan
Convert tempo into camps, vision and objectives
Pathing
Take efficient camps between plays so a lead does not disappear into repeated waiting.
Map play
Use lane priority before invading or starting an objective, and leave when nearby lanes cannot move.
Fights
Enter through controlled vision and keep a route out; a winning Jungler still loses a shutdown when isolated.
Even plan
Keep the clear moving and choose high-information plays
Pathing
Track opposing camps and lane states instead of forcing the first visible target.
Map play
Trade sides of the map when contesting would require weaker lanes to move first.
Fights
Save important control for the enemy who threatens your carries or objective access.
Behind plan
Recover guaranteed camps and avoid desperate invades
Pathing
Path through known territory and help lanes only when the opponent is genuinely vulnerable.
Map play
Cross-map rather than arriving late to a lost objective, then restore defensive vision with an ally.
Fights
Play around the strongest teammate and make the enemy commit into your control.
Pings, movement and objectives
Zed Jungle map plan
Link each clear to the next informed decision. Pings should tell lanes where you are pathing and whether the team is contesting or trading an objective.
Turn tempo into controlled territory
- Ping
- Use On My Way before entering a lane, Assist Me before an objective and Danger when nearby lanes cannot move to an invade.
- Path or gank
- Gank when the lane has reach, damage and a safe exit. Do not wait beside a protected target while camps and the next objective disappear.
- Objective
- Establish vision with the nearest winning lane, keep Smite available and avoid chasing away from the objective after gaining control.
Choose the play with the clearest information
- Ping
- Use On My Way early enough for the lane to prepare, Assist Me only when nearby lanes can move, and Retreat when the contest has already become late.
- Path or gank
- Prefer a lane with crowd control, damaged opponents or a favourable wave. A visible opponent is not automatically a usable gank.
- Objective
- Check Mid and Bot priority before Dragon, or Mid and Top before Herald. Set a safe entrance before beginning the objective.
Trade the map instead of forcing recovery
- Ping
- Ping Retreat from lost contests, Danger on likely invades and On My Way when covering a vulnerable lane or remaining camp.
- Path or gank
- Counter-gank or help only when allies can survive until arrival. Repeated low-chance ganks deepen the camp and level deficit.
- Objective
- If entry is unsafe, trade for camps, a wave, vision or the opposite objective. Keep Smite and crowd control for a contest the team can actually reach.
Objective setup
Four calls, in order
Pings create a shared plan; they do not replace checking waves, vision and who can move.
- 1Before the route
Decide which camps lead toward the objective and ping the nearby lanes before they spend the wave or recall timing.
- 2Check priority
Confirm which nearby lanes can move first. Do not convert an isolated objective marker into a forced fight.
- 3Control entry
Move with a teammate, sweep one entrance and keep Smite available before committing damage to the objective.
- 4Finish or turn
Call whether the team is finishing, fighting or leaving. Mixed decisions are more dangerous than either clear choice.
Later objectives: Repeat the same process around later major objectives: handle nearby income, communicate the route, enter through vision and agree on the fight before committing.
Use the guide
Put Zed into a real matchup
Compare a specific opponent, return to the champion overview, or choose another champion without losing the queue distinction.