Top · Ranked Solo/Duo · Matchup guide · Patch16.20.1
Zyra vs Vex
Build, runes, abilities and practical pre-game checks in one queue-aware reference.
VS
Role fit
Top · Zyra
Zyra is normally played Support and does not currently have a reviewed Top route. Top usually needs independent laning, durable trading or reliable side-lane pressure. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.
These patches track recommendation review, build validation and item lookup separately. Updating item data does not complete a build review.
Recommendation patch
— Data Dragon
Build validation patch
16.19.1 Data Dragon
Item lookup patch
16.20.1 Data Dragon
?
Unreviewed route
No reviewed Zyra Top build
Zyra is normally played Support and does not currently have a reviewed Top route. Top usually needs independent laning, durable trading or reliable side-lane pressure. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.
A different lane's items are not relabelled as correct. Role income, map access and starting rules can change the whole purchase order.
Use range to manage the wave and take measured trades without surrendering the escape route. Teleport supports the long solo lane.
Ranked Solo/Duo
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 Vex is opposite you?
Pre-game kit comparison
Kit comparison
Respect the opponent's reliable threat
Track the cooldown and range of the ability that starts their safest trade. Do not treat this page as a statistical counter claim.
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
Zyra reminders
Placing a seed in your spell's path after you have cast it gives you the best chance of having a seed in the proper spot.
Seeds grant vision to your team.
Zyra is a great ambusher - look for opportunities to set a trap of seeds in brush, then lure enemies in.
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.
Ability reference
Compare both kits
Ability referenceData Dragon 16.20.1
Cooldown (s) / Cost / Listed range (units)Data Dragon 16.20.1
Zyra
P
Garden of Thorns
Seeds spawn around Zyra periodically, becoming faster with level. Zyra can cast Deadly Spines or Grasping Roots near seeds to grow plants, who fight for Zyra.
Q
Deadly Spines
Thick vines spread through the ground and explode into spines, dealing magic damage to enemies within the area. If cast near a seed, Deadly Spines grows a Thorn Spitter plant, which fires at enemies from afar.
Cooldown (s) 7/6.5/6/5.5/5 · Cost 55 · Listed range (units) 800
W
Rampant Growth
Zyra plants a seed, lasting up to 60 seconds. Deadly Spines and Grasping Roots cast near seeds will turn them into plants who fight for Zyra. Zyra can store multiple seeds at once, and killing enemies reduces Rampant Growth's recharge time.
Listed range (units) 850
E
Grasping Roots
Zyra sends forth vines through the ground to ensnare her target, dealing damage and rooting enemies they come across. If cast near a seed, Grasping Roots grows a Vine Lasher, whose short range attacks reduce enemy Move Speed.
Cooldown (s) 11 · Cost 70/75/80/85/90 · Listed range (units) 1100
R
Stranglethorns
Zyra summons a twisted thicket at her target location, dealing damage to enemies as it expands and knocking them airborne as it contracts. Plants within the thicket are enraged.
Cooldown (s) 110/100/90 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 700
Vex
P
Doom 'n Gloom
Vex periodically becomes empowered, causing her next basic Ability to fear enemies and interrupt dashes. Whenever a nearby enemy dashes, Vex applies a mark that can be consumed for bonus damage that also reduces the cooldown of her empowered state.
Q
Mistral Bolt
Launch a damaging missile that accelerates mid-flight.
Cooldown (s) 8/7/6/5/4 · Cost 45/50/55/60/65 · Listed range (units) 1200
W
Personal Space
Gain a shield and damage nearby enemies.
Cooldown (s) 16/15/14/13/12 · Cost 75 · Listed range (units) 475
E
Looming Darkness
Summon a damaging and slowing zone that applies Gloom to enemies.
Cooldown (s) 12 · Cost 70/80/90/100/110 · Listed range (units) 800
R
Shadow Surge
Fire a missile that marks an enemy champion. Recast to dash to them and deal damage.
Cooldown (s) 140/120/100 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 2000/2500/3000
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
Control the side lane without donating the lead
1
Lane
Hold a favourable wave, pressure the enemy away from farm and keep enough vision to survive the second opponent.
2
Map play
Push before moving to an objective; arrive through a known route rather than giving up the wave and your shutdown.
3
Fights
Use the lead to occupy space for the team. Do not chase through the entire enemy formation for one target.
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.
Behind plan
Protect experience and stop the lane from accelerating
1
Lane
Farm near safety, avoid repeating the losing trade and ask for help only when the wave creates a realistic window.
2
Map play
Do not follow a stronger opponent through unseen river. Signal the move and recover guaranteed resources.
3
Fights
Contribute control or pressure to the nearest safe target instead of trying to repair the score alone.
Pings, movement and objectives
Zyra 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
Handle the wave
Push, catch or communicate the wave before leaving so the opponent does not gain a free move and free income.
2
Signal the route
Use On My Way for the route you are actually taking and Danger where an unseen opponent may arrive.
3
Enter together
Move through controlled vision with the Jungler or another ally instead of face-checking the objective alone.
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.