Xin Zhao is the early game king. Level 2 ganks with E → Q knockup are nearly unescapable. His R creates a 1v1 arena where he blocks outside damage. Win early, close fast.
Abilities
Skills Overview
P
Determination
Passive
Every third attack deals bonus damage and heals Xin Zhao.
Determination: every 3rd auto heals. In fights, keep auto-attacking for sustain.
Q
Three Talon Strike
AA Resets · Knockup
Xin Zhao's next 3 standard attacks deal increased damage with the third attack knocking an opponent into the air.
CD: 7/6.5/6/5.5/5 · Cost: 30
Q empowers next 3 autos. Third auto KNOCKS UP. Auto → Q → auto → auto (knockup).
W
Wind Becomes Lightning
Slash · Thrust
Xin Zhao slashes in front of himself with his spear, then thrusts it forward, slowing affected enemies and marking them as Challenged.
CD: 12/11/10/9/8 · Cost: 60/55/50/45/40
W slashes then thrusts. Thrust deals more damage and slows. Aim the thrust.
E
Audacious Charge
Dash · Slow · AS
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.
CD: 11 · Cost: 50
E dashes to target, slows, and gives AS. Primary gap-close.
R
Crescent Guard
AoE · Knockback · Damage Block
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.
CD: 120/110/100 · Cost: 100
R knocks back all enemies EXCEPT the challenged target (nearest). Blocks all damage from OUTSIDE the circle. Duel the carry inside, block their team outside.
Skill Leveling Order — Max Q first, then W, then E · R at 6 / 11 / 16
| Level | Q | W | E | R | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Take E — dash for clear | ||||
| 2 | Take Q — knockup | ||||
| 3 | Take W — thrust | ||||
| 4 | Level Q | ||||
| 5 | Level Q | ||||
| 6 | R — Crescent Guard | ||||
| 7 | Level Q | ||||
| 8 | Level W | ||||
| 9 | Q maxed ✓ | ||||
| 10 | Level W | ||||
| 11 | R rank 2 | ||||
| 12 | Level W | ||||
| 13 | Level W | ||||
| 14 | W maxed ✓ | ||||
| 15 | Level E | ||||
| 16 | R rank 3 | ||||
| 17 | Level E | ||||
| 18 | E maxed ✓ |
Itemization
Recommended Builds
Core Build
Eclipse
Shield + omnivamp.
2800g
Plated Steelcaps
Armor.
1100g
Black Cleaver
Armor shred.
3100g
Death's Dance
Bleed passive.
3300g
Situational
Sterak's Gage
Shield.
3100g
Maw of Malmortius
Magic shield.
2800g
Guardian Angel
Revive.
3200g
Eclipse → Cleaver → Death's Dance. Early game bruiser. Close games before 30 minutes.
Runes
Precision Primary
Conqueror
Q triple auto stacks Conqueror instantly.
Triumph
Heal on takedown.
Legend: Alacrity
AS for faster Q proc.
Last Stand
Bonus damage when low.
Domination Secondary
Sudden Impact
Lethality after E dash.
Treasure Hunter
Gold on kills.
Shards
Attack Speed · Adaptive Force · Health
Gameplay
How to Play Xin Zhao
01
Early Game
Level 2 Gank, Dominate
- Start Red → Blue or Red → Raptors. Level 2 gank immediately.
- E → Q is the combo. E dash → auto → Q empowered → auto → auto (knockup).
- Your level 2 is the strongest in the game. No jungler beats you.
- W thrust extends your range. Use it to poke before E-ing in.
- Passive heals every 3rd auto. You clear camps healthy.
02
Mid Game
R Dueling Arena
- R creates a circle. You and the challenged enemy are inside. Their team's damage is BLOCKED.
- E → Q → R is the full combo. Dash, knockup, then R to block enemy team from helping.
- Force 1v1 or 2v2 fights. You win every skirmish early-mid.
- You start falling off. Force objectives NOW.
- Dragon fights: R to block the enemy team from the pit while you fight their jungler.
03
Late Game
Engage and Isolate
- You fall off vs scaling champions. Close the game before 30 minutes.
- R isolates the carry from their team. Duel them 1v1 inside the circle.
- R blocks ALL damage from outside. In teamfights, R to become immune to the enemy backline.
- Peel with Q knockup if your carry needs it.
- If behind, R is still valuable for the damage block and knockback.
Teamfighting
How to Teamfight as Xin Zhao
Xin Zhao dives the carry, R to isolate them, and blocks their team's damage.
1
Dive — E + Q
Engage
01
E dash to the carry.
02
Q knockup.
03
W thrust for extra damage.
Don't E into 5 people without R ready. You need R's damage block to survive.
2
Isolate — R Arena
1v1 zone
01
R after knockup. Knocks back everyone except the carry.
02
Damage from outside R is BLOCKED.
03
1v1 the carry inside the circle.
3
Finish — Auto + Passive Heal
Duel
01
Auto-attack for passive heals.
02
Q knockup comes back up. Use it again.
03
W thrust for poke between autos.
R damage block only works against enemies OUTSIDE the circle. If the carry you're dueling kites to the edge, R's block protects you from their team while you chase.
Tips & Tricks
Advanced Mechanics & Hidden Tech
Advanced mechanics for Xin Zhao.
Basic
Level 2 Gank
Take E level 1, Q level 2. Gank immediately. Your level 2 is the strongest of any jungler.
Intermediate
Q Third Auto Knockup
Q empowers 3 autos. The THIRD auto knocks up. Always complete all 3 Q hits for the knockup.
Basic
R Damage Block
R blocks ALL damage from enemies outside the circle. Only the challenged (nearest) target can hit you.
Advanced
R Knockback Direction
R knocks back everyone EXCEPT the nearest enemy. Position so R pushes tanks away while keeping the carry inside.
Basic
Passive Healing
Every 3rd auto heals you. Keep auto-attacking in fights for sustain.
Intermediate
Close Games Early
Xin Zhao falls off after 25 minutes. Snowball your leads and force objectives. Don't let games go late.
Matchups
Counters & Matchups
Xin Zhao struggles against scaling junglers who survive his early aggression and kiting champions. He excels against weak early junglers.
Click any matchup to expand tips & how to play against them
Loses Against
Rammus survives your burst and taunts you. Thornmail reflects your autos.
Don't fight Rammus. Gank his lanes instead.
Warwick sustains through your burst and out-duels you in extended trades.
Short trades only. Burst and disengage.
Udyr matches your early power and out-sustains you.
Avoid 1v1. Outgank him.
Wins Against
Karthus is free at level 2. Invade and kill.
Level 2 E → Q = dead Karthus.
Evelynn pre-6 is helpless.
Invade on repeat.
Amumu can't fight you early.
Invade at level 2.