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Jungle · Normal DraftMatchup guidePatch 16.20.1

Xin Zhao vs Bard

Build, runes, abilities and practical pre-game checks in one queue-aware reference.

Xin ZhaoVSBard

Matchup guide

Choose the matchup

Search every champion, choose the assigned role, then open the exact queue page.

VS
Role
Selected laneJungle

Choose two champions from the list.

Role fit

JungleXin Zhao

Xin Zhao has an established clear and map plan that can function without lane income while contesting camps and objectives.

Primary role
Historical 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 Xin Zhao Jungle

Follow the completed-item order as a pre-game reference. Components and owned items do not create extra inventory slots.

Primary role
S
Draft / Ranked opening · separate from item 1

Scorchclaw Pup

450 gold

Provides Smite progression and the attack-oriented Jungle companion.

1
First item

Titanic Hydra

3,300 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot, manually checked against Riot patch 26.17. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

2
Boots

Plated Steelcaps

1,200 gold

This is the most-supported Boots choice in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot, manually checked against Riot patch 26.17; change it when the opposing damage or crowd control calls for a different defence.

3
Core

Black Cleaver

3,000 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot, manually checked against Riot patch 26.17. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

4
Late

Death's Dance

3,300 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot, manually checked against Riot patch 26.17. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

5
Flexible

Guardian Angel

3,200 gold

Keeps a reviewed late option after the prior-patch cross-check; move or replace it only when its stated match problem is present.

6
Health and recovery

Warmog's Armor

3,100 gold

Completes the six-item inventory with health and out-of-combat recovery after enough bonus health 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.

  1. First itemTitanic Hydra
  2. BootsPlated Steelcaps
  3. Chempunk Chainsword
  4. LateDeath's Dance
  5. FlexibleGuardian Angel
  6. Health and recoveryWarmog's Armor
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.

  1. First itemTitanic Hydra
  2. BootsPlated Steelcaps
  3. CoreBlack Cleaver
  4. Kaenic Rookern
  5. FlexibleGuardian Angel
  6. Health and recoveryWarmog's Armor

Complete build comparison

Complete build comparison

Recommendation review pending

Build review neededEvidence-supported Xin Zhao JungleRecommendation review pendingView full route

Recommendation review pending

  1. First itemTitanic Hydra
  2. BootsPlated Steelcaps
  3. CoreBlack Cleaver
  4. LateDeath's Dance
  5. FlexibleGuardian Angel
  6. Health and recoveryWarmog's Armor
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.

  1. First itemTitanic Hydra
  2. BootsPlated Steelcaps
  3. Chempunk Chainsword
  4. LateDeath's Dance
  5. FlexibleGuardian Angel
  6. Health and recoveryWarmog's Armor
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.

  1. First itemTitanic Hydra
  2. BootsPlated Steelcaps
  3. CoreBlack Cleaver
  4. Kaenic Rookern
  5. FlexibleGuardian Angel
  6. Health and recoveryWarmog's Armor

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsXin ZhaoJungle

Reach the fight with control available and absorb the first response.

Normal Draft
Primary tree

Resolve

AftershockFont of LifeConditioningOvergrowth
Secondary tree

Precision

TriumphLegend: Haste
Summoner spells
FlashSmite
Keep Smite

Smite is part of Jungle companion progression and objective security. The movement or combat spell beside it is the adjustable slot.

Change the movement spell

Ghost can fit sustained access; Flash can fit one immediate reposition. Use the champion's route and intended fights to choose.

Matchup notes

What changes when Bard is opposite you?

Pre-game kit comparison
Strategic interaction

Contest early routes

Early duelling and direct pressure can prevent a scaling jungle from choosing every fight.

Early to mid

Look for lane pressure, first recalls and early objectives before scaling carries complete several items.

Your plan

Use the route you prepared

Treat Vex as one part of the map state. Their Jungler, nearby waves and which teammates can move determine whether the same trade or rotation is safe.

Ability reminders

Xin Zhao reminders

  • Xin Zhao is a great initiator to combat. Lead the front to start a fight and use your ultimate to do the most damage possible.
  • Try to position yourself so your ultimate's knockback is most effective.
Ability reminders

Against Bard

  • Bard's opponents can also travel through his Magical Journey doorways. You can follow him, if you think it's safe.
  • You can crush Bard's healing shrines just by walking over them. Don't let his allies take them without a fight.
  • Bard's ultimate, Tempered Fate, affects allies, enemies, monsters, and turrets alike. Sometimes it can be to your advantage to jump into it!

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.

Sustained magic damage

Kaenic Rookern

Kaenic Rookern is a defensive answer when repeated magic damage is the real problem.

Ability reference

Compare both kits

Ability reference Data Dragon 16.20.1

Cooldown (s) / Cost / Listed range (units) Data Dragon 16.20.1

Xin Zhao

  1. P
    Determination

    Every third attack deals bonus damage and heals Xin Zhao.

  2. Q
    Three Talon Strike

    Xin Zhao's next 3 standard attacks deal increased damage with the third attack knocking an opponent into the air.

    Cooldown (s) 7/6.5/6/5.5/5 · Cost 30 · Listed range (units) 375
  3. W
    Wind Becomes Lightning

    Xin Zhao slashes in front of himself with his spear, then thrusts it forward, slowing affected enemies and marking them as Challenged.

    Cooldown (s) 12/11/10/9/8 · Cost 60 · Listed range (units) 1000
  4. E
    Audacious Charge

    Xin Zhao charges to an enemy, gaining increased Attack Speed and dealing damage to all enemies in the area, slowing them briefly. This Ability gains increased range against Challenged targets.

    Cooldown (s) 11 · Cost 60 · Listed range (units) 650
  5. R
    Crescent Guard

    Xin Zhao passively challenges an enemy he damaged recently. When activated, Xin Zhao deals damage to nearby enemies based on their current Health and knocks non-challenged targets back, becoming impervious to damage dealt by champions outside of the circle created.

    Cooldown (s) 120/110/100 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 500

Bard

  1. P
    Traveler's Call

    Meeps: Bard attracts lesser spirits that assist with his basic attacks to deal extra magic damage. When Bard has collected enough Chimes, his meeps will also deal damage in an area and slow enemies hit. Chimes: Ancient chimes randomly appear for Bard to collect. These grant experience, restore mana, and provide out of combat Move Speed.

  2. Q
    Cosmic Binding

    Bard fires a missile which will slow the first enemy struck, and continue onward. If it strikes a wall, it will stun the initial target; if it strikes another enemy, it will stun them both.

    The exported range is not a verified gameplay distance. Check the current ability tooltip.

    Cooldown (s) 11/10/9/8/7 · Cost 60
  3. W
    Caretaker's Shrine

    Reveals a Health shrine which powers up over a short time, disappearing after healing and speeding up the first ally that touches it.

    Cost 70 · Listed range (units) 800
  4. E
    Magical Journey

    Bard opens a portal in nearby terrain. Allies and enemies alike can take a one-way trip through that terrain by moving into the portal.

    Cooldown (s) 22/20.5/19/17.5/16 · Cost 30 · Listed range (units) 900
  5. R
    Tempered Fate

    Bard sends spirit energy arcing to a location, putting all champions, minions, monsters, and turrets hit into stasis for a brief time.

    Cooldown (s) 110/95/80 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 3400

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.

Even plan

Keep the clear moving and choose high-information plays

1
Pathing

Track opposing camps and lane states instead of forcing the first visible target.

2
Map play

Trade sides of the map when contesting would require weaker lanes to move first.

3
Fights

Save important control for the enemy who threatens your carries or objective access.

Pings, movement and objectives

Xin Zhao 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.

Ahead

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.
Even

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.
Behind

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.

  1. 1
    Before the route

    Decide which camps lead toward the objective and ping the nearby lanes before they spend the wave or recall timing.

  2. 2
    Check priority

    Confirm which nearby lanes can move first. Do not convert an isolated objective marker into a forced fight.

  3. 3
    Control entry

    Move with a teammate, sweep one entrance and keep Smite available before committing damage to the objective.

  4. 4
    Finish 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.

Keep preparing

Use the champion page or choose another opponent

The matchup page is a pre-game reference. It does not predict the result or alter its recommendation from changing live match data.

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