Zac is a long-range engage tank. His E slingshot covers half the screen, making him the best ganker in the game. His blob passive makes him extremely hard to kill, and his R displaces entire teams.
Abilities
Skills Overview
P
Cell Division
Passive
Each time Zac hits an enemy with an ability, he sheds a chunk of himself that can be reabsorbed to restore Health. Upon taking fatal damage, Zac splits into 4 bloblets that attempt to recombine. If any bloblets remain, he will revive with an amount of Health depending on the Health of the surviving bloblets. Each bloblet has a percentage of Zac's maximum Health, Armor and Magic Resistance. This ability has a 5 minute cooldown.
Cell Division: when Zac dies, he splits into 4 blobs. If any blob survives, he revives. Also, abilities drop blobs that heal when picked up.
Q
Stretching Strikes
Skillshot · Grab · Slam
Zac stretches an arm, grabbing an enemy. Attacking a different enemy will cause him to throw both targets towards each other.
CD: 14/12.5/11/9.5/8 · Cost: 0
Q grabs a target. Auto another target to slam them together. Q → auto different target = slam + stun.
W
Unstable Matter
AoE · Blob · Heal
Zac explodes outward towards nearby enemies, dealing a percentage of their maximum health as magic damage.
CD: 5 · Cost: 0
W deals AoE %max HP damage. Pick up blobs to heal and reduce W cooldown.
E
Elastic Slingshot
Slingshot · Knockup · Long Range
Zac attaches his arms to the ground and stretches back, launching himself forward.
CD: 22/19/16/13/10 · Cost: 0
E charges for a LONG range slingshot that knocks up enemies on landing. Longer charge = more range.
R
Let's Bounce!
AoE · Bounce · Displacement
Zac bounces four times, knocking up enemies hit and slowing them.
CD: 120/105/90 · Cost: 0
R bounces enemies away from you. Use to displace enemies into your team or away from objectives.
Skill Leveling Order — Max E first, then W, then Q · R at 6 / 11 / 16
| Level | Q | W | E | R | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Take W — AoE clear | ||||
| 2 | Take E — slingshot | ||||
| 3 | Take Q — grab slam | ||||
| 4 | Level E | ||||
| 5 | Level E | ||||
| 6 | R — Let's Bounce | ||||
| 7 | Level E | ||||
| 8 | Level W | ||||
| 9 | E maxed ✓ | ||||
| 10 | Level W | ||||
| 11 | R rank 2 | ||||
| 12 | Level W | ||||
| 13 | Level W | ||||
| 14 | W maxed ✓ | ||||
| 15 | Level Q | ||||
| 16 | R rank 3 | ||||
| 17 | Level Q | ||||
| 18 | Q maxed ✓ |
Itemization
Recommended Builds
Core Build
Sunfire Cape
Immolate burn + tankiness.
2700g
Plated Steelcaps
Armor.
1100g
Spirit Visage
Increases blob healing by 25%. Core on Zac.
2900g
Randuin's Omen
Crit reduction + AoE slow.
2700g
Situational
Thornmail
Grievous wounds.
2700g
Force of Nature
MR + MS.
2800g
Gargoyle Stoneplate
Massive shield in teamfights.
3200g
Sunfire → Spirit Visage always. Blob healing + Visage = incredible sustain.
Runes
Resolve Primary
Aftershock
Procs on E knockup and Q slam.
Font of Life
CC marks for ally healing.
Conditioning
Free resistances.
Revitalize
Stronger blob healing below 40% HP.
Precision Secondary
Triumph
Heal on takedown.
Legend: Tenacity
Tenacity.
Shards
Ability Haste · Armor · Health
Gameplay
How to Play Zac
01
Early Game
Long-Range E Ganks
- Start Blue → Gromp → Wolves → Raptors → Red → Krugs. W %HP shreds camps.
- E slingshot ganks are the longest range in the game. Charge from behind terrain.
- Pick up blobs after abilities for healing. Walk over them during clear.
- Level 3 ganks are devastating. E from fog of war → Q slam → kill.
- You're not a 1v1 champion. Avoid early fights with duelists.
02
Mid Game
Best Ganks in the Game
- E max range covers HALF the lane. Gank from your own jungle — they can't ward far enough.
- Q slam two enemies together in teamfights for AoE stun.
- R bounces enemies toward your team. Aim R displacement toward allies.
- Spirit Visage increases blob healing by 25%. Rush it second.
- Force objectives. Your engage wins dragon/baron fights.
03
Late Game
Unkillable Frontline Engage
- E → Q → R in teamfights = multiple knockups and displacements.
- Passive revive: when you die, you split into 4 blobs. Kill the blobs to prevent revive. But enemies waste time trying.
- Spirit Visage + blob healing = you're nearly impossible to kill.
- E over walls for surprise engages. The range is absurd.
- In baron fights, E over the pit wall to engage or steal.
Teamfighting
How to Teamfight as Zac
Zac slingshots into the enemy team, knocks everyone up, and bounces them into his allies.
1
Engage — E Slingshot
Long range knockup
01
Charge E from fog of war. Max range = half the screen.
02
Land on grouped enemies for AoE knockup.
03
Aftershock procs for free resistances.
E is visible while charging. Charge from behind terrain where enemies can't see you.
2
CC Chain — Q + R
Displacement
01
Q grab one enemy, auto another to slam them together.
02
R bounce enemies toward your team.
03
W for %HP AoE damage.
3
Sustain — Blob Healing
Unkillable tank
01
Pick up blobs for healing.
02
Spirit Visage amplifies healing.
03
If you die, passive revive. Blobs reform you.
E from over terrain is nearly impossible to react to. Always charge E from behind walls, not in plain sight.
Tips & Tricks
Advanced Mechanics & Hidden Tech
Advanced mechanics for Zac.
Basic
E Range
E slingshot range is the longest engage in the game when fully charged. Charge from behind walls for surprise.
Intermediate
Q Slam
Q grabs one target. Auto a different target to slam them together for a stun. In teamfights, Q + auto two different enemies.
Basic
Blob Pickup
Walk over blobs dropped by abilities to heal. This is your sustain. Never leave blobs on the ground.
Intermediate
Spirit Visage Rush
Spirit Visage increases blob healing by 25%. It's core on Zac — rush it second item always.
Advanced
Passive Revive
When you die, you split into 4 blobs. If any survives for 8 seconds, you revive. Enemies must kill all 4 blobs.
Basic
W %HP Damage
W deals %max HP damage. It shreds tanks and objectives. Spam it in fights.
Advanced
E Over Walls
E can slingshot over any terrain. Use baron/dragon pit walls for surprise steals or engages.
Matchups
Counters & Matchups
Zac struggles against mobile champions who dodge E and champions with grievous wounds that reduce his healing. He excels against immobile, grouped teams.
Click any matchup to expand tips & how to play against them
Loses Against
Graves dashes your E and kites you. He also builds grievous wounds.
Don't E directly at Graves. Engage on his teammates.
Kindred Q-dodges E and her R negates follow-up burst.
Wait for Kindred Q cooldown, then E. She's vulnerable without it.
Lee Sin kicks you away after E landing and invades you early.
Ward deep. Don't fight early. Your teamfighting is far superior.
Wins Against
Karthus can't dodge E. He dies to your engage every time.
E from max range. He can't escape.
Both are engage tanks, but your E range is much longer.
Engage before Amumu can. Your range advantage wins.
Evelynn is squishy. One E + Q kills her.
E on top of her. She dies before charm activates.