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Mid · Normal DraftMatchup guidePatch 16.20.1

Vladimir vs Zed

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

VladimirVSZed

Matchup guide

Choose the matchup

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

VS
Role
Selected laneMid

Choose two champions from the list.

Role fit

MidVladimir

Vladimir has an established central-lane plan with access to waves, both sides of the river and meaningful pressure between 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 · Mid

Manaless battle mage

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

Doran's Ring

400 gold

This is the most-supported Draft/Ranked starting item in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Compare its durability, sustain and damage trade-off before leaving base.

1
First item

Hextech Rocketbelt

2,650 gold

Adds health and movement for the first committed spell rotation.

2
Boots

Ionian Boots of Lucidity

900 gold

This 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.

3
Repeated spells

Riftmaker

3,100 gold

This 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.

4
Late power

Rabadon's Deathcap

3,500 gold

Adds late ability power after the core is complete.

5
Vs resistance

Void Staff

3,000 gold

Answers meaningful magic resistance later in the match.

6
Repeated spell rotations

Cosmic Drive

3,000 gold

Completes the six-item inventory with movement speed and ability haste for repeated late-game spell rotations.

Complete build choices

Choose the route before play

Recommendation review pending

AlternativeToo much healingMorellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.View full route

Best when: Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.

  1. First itemHextech Rocketbelt
  2. BootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. Late powerRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Vs resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeThey burst meZhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.View full route

Best when: Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

  1. First itemHextech Rocketbelt
  2. BootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  3. Zhonya's Hourglass
  4. Late powerRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Vs resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeOne spell stops meBanshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.View full route

Best when: Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

  1. First itemHextech Rocketbelt
  2. BootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  3. Repeated spellsRiftmaker
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. Vs resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Complete build comparison

Complete build comparison

Recommendation review pending

Build review neededManaless battle mageRecommendation review pendingView full route

Recommendation review pending

  1. First itemHextech Rocketbelt
  2. BootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  3. Repeated spellsRiftmaker
  4. Late powerRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Vs resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeToo much healingMorellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.View full route

Best when: Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.

  1. First itemHextech Rocketbelt
  2. BootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. Late powerRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Vs resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeThey burst meZhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.View full route

Best when: Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

  1. First itemHextech Rocketbelt
  2. BootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  3. Zhonya's Hourglass
  4. Late powerRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Vs resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeOne spell stops meBanshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.View full route

Best when: Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

  1. First itemHextech Rocketbelt
  2. BootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  3. Repeated spellsRiftmaker
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. Vs resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsVladimirMid

This battle-mage page rewards extended spell contact and enough resources to remain useful after the first rotation.

Normal Draft
Primary tree

Precision

ConquerorPresence of MindLegend: HasteLast Stand
Secondary tree

Sorcery

TranscendenceGathering Storm
Summoner spells
FlashTeleport
Choose pressure or recovery

Ignite supports a short kill window; Teleport supports recall and map timing; Barrier protects against immediate burst.

Protect the wave plan

A more aggressive spell pair does not replace safe wave timing, river vision or an escape route.

Matchup notes

What changes when Zed is opposite you?

Pre-game kit comparison
Reviewed interaction

Can deny the burst window

Sanguine Pool can avoid a decisive part of Zed's commitment while Vladimir scales through the lane.

Late game

The answer becomes more dependable with levels, completed items or stronger grouped-fight scaling.

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

Vladimir reminders

  • Transfusion instantly deals damage to the enemy before healing Vladimir, making it one of the best last hitting tools in the game.
  • Cast Hemoplague where it will afflict the most units.
  • Sanguine Pool pops incoming missiles, so it can be used to dodge disables.
Ability reminders

Against Zed

  • Zed receives bonus effect from Attack Damage items he purchases, so Armor is super effective against him.
  • After Zed uses his Living Shadow, he is at his most vulnerable as his damage, slow, and mobility are both dependent upon it.
  • Zed's Shadow Slash can only slow you if his shadow hits you with 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.

Only when enemy healing is deciding fights

Oblivion Orb

Oblivion Orb supplies healing reduction without committing to a completed Morellonomicon. Skip both when healing is not the problem or an ally already covers your target reliably. Healing reduction does not reduce shields.

Conditional component, not a core item. Complete Morellonomicon only when its stats and slot efficiency justify delaying another purchase.
They burst me

Zhonya's Hourglass

Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

One spell stops me

Banshee's Veil

Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

Ability reference

Compare both kits

Ability reference Data Dragon 16.20.1

Cooldown / Cost / Range Data Dragon 16.20.1

Vladimir

  1. P
    Crimson Pact

    Crimson Pact is the always-on rule shaping Vladimir's normal trading and fight pattern. Watch its in-game state before committing.

  2. Q
    Transfusion

    Transfusion contributes protection or sustain and damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

    Cooldown 9/7.9/6.8/5.7/4.6 · Listed range 600
  3. W
    Sanguine Pool

    Sanguine Pool contributes a slowing effect. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

    Cooldown 28/25/22/19/16 · Listed range 350
  4. E
    Tides of Blood

    Tides of Blood contributes movement or repositioning and damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

    Cooldown 13/11/9/7/5 · Listed range 600
  5. R
    Hemoplague

    Hemoplague contributes damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

    Cooldown 120 · Listed range 625

Zed

  1. P
    Contempt for the Weak

    Contempt 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.

  2. Q
    Razor Shuriken

    Razor Shuriken contributes damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

    Cooldown 6 · Cost 75/70/65/60/55 · Listed range 900
  3. W
    Living Shadow

    Living 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.

    Cooldown 20/19/18/17/16 · Cost 40/35/30/25/20 · Listed range 650
  4. E
    Shadow Slash

    Shadow 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.

    Cooldown 5/4.5/4/3.5/3 · Cost 40 · Listed range 290
  5. R
    Death Mark

    Death Mark contributes damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

    Cooldown 120/110/100 · Listed range 625

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

Manage the wave and keep both sides of the map visible

1
Lane

Trade when your key ability and minion position favour you; an even lane does not require a forced solo kill.

2
Map play

Move on a completed wave and return before several waves are lost to the tower.

3
Fights

Position for the champion's reliable damage or control instead of beginning with the lowest-percentage spell.

Pings, movement and objectives

Vladimir Mid map plan

Mid can reach either side, but the wave pays for every move. Communicate the opponent first, then move only when the route and destination are credible.

Ahead

Use priority to arrive first, not recklessly

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing when the opponent leaves, On My Way before entering river and Danger on the route the opponent may use.
Stay or roam
Roam after clearing the wave and choose the side where allies can participate. Return before several waves are lost.
Objective
Reach river with the Jungler, control one entrance and preserve the spell that stops an enemy engage or secures the first target.
Even

Turn one managed wave into map pressure

Ping
Use Enemy Missing immediately, then On My Way only when you are genuinely moving rather than considering it.
Stay or roam
Move after the wave is handled. If following requires entering fog alone, ping Danger and take the safe route instead.
Objective
Help establish river vision before the start. Do not burn the only control spell on poke if it is needed to protect the entrance.
Behind

Clear safely and warn both side lanes

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing early and repeat Danger on the threatened side. Use Retreat if matching the roam would expose you to another kill.
Stay or roam
Follow through established vision or remain Mid and recover farm. A late blind follow often loses both positions.
Objective
Approach behind the front line and use reliable control or range. Trade the objective if the team cannot safely enter river.
Objective setup

Four calls, in order

Pings create a shared plan; they do not replace checking waves, vision and who can move.

  1. 1
    Handle the wave

    Push, catch or communicate the wave before leaving so the opponent does not gain a free move and free income.

  2. 2
    Signal the route

    Use On My Way for the route you are actually taking and Danger where an unseen opponent may arrive.

  3. 3
    Enter together

    Move through controlled vision with the Jungler or another ally instead of face-checking the objective alone.

  4. 4
    Choose the job

    Decide whether you are engaging, front-lining, flanking or protecting a carry before the fight begins.

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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