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Top · Normal DraftMatchup guidePatch 16.20.1

Kennen vs Zed

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

KennenVSZed

Matchup guide

Choose the matchup

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

VS
Role
Selected laneTop

Choose two champions from the list.

Role fit

TopKennen

Kennen has an established solo-lane plan with the income and space needed to trade, manage waves and influence a side lane.

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 · Top

Manaless engage 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 Blade

450 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
Engage tool

Hextech Rocketbelt

2,650 gold

Adds health, movement and an active gap closer for an engage.

2
Boots

Sorcerer's Shoes

1,100 gold

Adds early magic penetration against low-resistance targets.

3
Burst

Shadowflame

3,200 gold

Improves the first damage rotation against fragile targets.

4
Commit safety

Zhonya's Hourglass

3,250 gold

Adds stasis for a committed Slicing Maelstrom engage.

5
Late power

Rabadon's Deathcap

3,500 gold

Adds late ability power after the engage core is complete.

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. Engage toolHextech Rocketbelt
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. Commit safetyZhonya's Hourglass
  5. Late powerRabadon's Deathcap
  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. Engage toolHextech Rocketbelt
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. BurstShadowflame
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. Late powerRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeThey stack magic resistVoid Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.View full route

Best when: Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

  1. Engage toolHextech Rocketbelt
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. BurstShadowflame
  4. Void Staff
  5. Late powerRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Complete build comparison

Complete build comparison

Recommendation review pending

Build review neededManaless engage mageRecommendation review pendingView full route

Recommendation review pending

  1. Engage toolHextech Rocketbelt
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. BurstShadowflame
  4. Commit safetyZhonya's Hourglass
  5. Late powerRabadon's Deathcap
  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. Engage toolHextech Rocketbelt
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. Commit safetyZhonya's Hourglass
  5. Late powerRabadon's Deathcap
  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. Engage toolHextech Rocketbelt
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. BurstShadowflame
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. Late powerRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeThey stack magic resistVoid Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.View full route

Best when: Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

  1. Engage toolHextech Rocketbelt
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. BurstShadowflame
  4. Void Staff
  5. Late powerRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsKennenTop

Use range to manage the wave and take measured trades without surrendering the escape route. Teleport supports the long solo lane.

Normal Draft
Primary tree

Sorcery

Arcane CometManaflow BandTranscendenceScorch
Secondary tree

Resolve

Second WindOvergrowth
Summoner spells
FlashTeleport
Long-lane safety

Teleport preserves recalls and side-lane access. Ignite is a deliberate pressure trade-off, not a universal upgrade.

Respect the matchup

Keep the defensive secondary runes when repeated poke or one committed trade can decide the lane.

Matchup notes

What changes when Zed is opposite you?

Pre-game kit comparison
Strategic interaction

Space the lane

Range and team-fight control offer an alternative to matching an extended melee trade.

Mid game

Wave control and the first spell-damage core usually create the clearest pressure window.

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

Kennen reminders

  • You can stun your opponents by inflicting 3 Marks of the Storm upon them.
  • Lightning Rush can be used to initiate fights with its Energy return component, allowing him to use other abilities afterward.
  • You can land an initial Mark of the Storm debuff on an opponent with Thundering Shuriken, and then add to it with Electrical Surge.
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.
One spell stops me

Banshee's Veil

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

They stack magic resist

Void Staff

Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

Ability reference

Compare both kits

Ability reference Data Dragon 16.20.1

Cooldown / Cost / Range Data Dragon 16.20.1

Kennen

  1. P
    Mark of the Storm

    Mark of the Storm is the always-on rule shaping Kennen's normal trading and fight pattern. Watch its in-game state before committing.

  2. Q
    Thundering Shuriken

    Thundering Shuriken is a ranged cast involving damage. Respect its line or target area, and avoid spending it when the opponent can simply step away before the important exchange.

    Cooldown 7/6.25/5.5/4.75/4 · Cost 60/55/50/45/40 · Listed range 950
  3. W
    Electrical Surge

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

    Cooldown 13/11.25/9.5/7.75/6 · Cost 40 · Listed range 725
  4. E
    Lightning Rush

    Lightning Rush contributes basic-attack interaction. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

    Cooldown 10/9/8/7/6 · Cost 80 · Listed range 170
  5. R
    Slicing Maelstrom

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

    Cooldown 120 · Listed range 550

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

Trade around the wave and your strongest cooldowns

1
Lane

Keep health and minions balanced so one poor trade does not decide the lane.

2
Map play

Move after the wave is handled and communicate if the opposing Top laner leaves first.

3
Fights

Choose between front-line duty, side pressure and carry access according to the champion kit.

Pings, movement and objectives

Kennen Top map plan

Manage the long lane before leaving it. A useful move begins with a handled wave, a visible route and a teammate who knows you are coming.

Ahead

Use the side-lane lead without donating it

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing when the opposing Top leaves, then On My Way before a flank or objective move.
Stay or move
Push the wave before moving. Stay if leaving would hand several minions or your tower back to the opponent.
Objective
Arrive through a known route and mark whether you are front-lining, flanking or protecting a carry. Do not enter alone before the team can follow.
Even

Make the wave create the first move

Ping
Use Enemy Missing early, Danger on the route they may take, and On My Way only after your own wave is handled.
Stay or move
Move after pushing or on a shared recall. Do not follow through unwarded river merely because the opponent left first.
Objective
Tell the team whether you can move before the objective starts. Approach with vision and save the cooldown needed for the first real commitment.
Behind

Protect experience and communicate the pressure

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing immediately and Retreat if teammates are about to meet the stronger Top laner without you.
Stay or move
Do not match a stronger opponent through darkness. Clear the safe wave, then group by the shortest controlled route.
Objective
State early if you cannot contest. If the team still fights, provide control or protection instead of attempting an isolated flank.
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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