Mid Matchup

Ryze vs Zed

Patch: 15.18 (25.18)
League: Platinum+
Ryze

Ryze

the Rune Mage
Mid
Ryze Mid Overall Win Rate
49.52%

Matchup Win Rate

52.2%
Ryze vs Zed Wins
47.8%
Zed vs Ryze Wins
Zed

Zed

the Master of Shadows
Mid
Zed Mid Overall Win Rate
49.17%

Ryze vs Zed - Mid Matchup Guide Patch 15.18 (25.18)

Ryze Mid vs Zed Mid - Who is stronger?

Ryze Mid has an advantage against Zed (52.2% win rate) based on 763 games. The matchup leans toward Ryze.

View detailed statistics below: items, runes, and counter builds for Ryze Mid vs Zed Mid in patch 15.18 (25.18), including win rates and pick rates. With proper study, this can improve your chances of victory up to 70.9% in this matchup.

Statistical Matchup Analysis

Current meta showdown: Ryze (3.9% pick rate, 20th most popular out of 61 Mid champions) versus Zed (7.0%, 4th place). These two mid lane titans clash constantly, making matchup mastery a decisive factor in your climb. Even tiers, uneven results: Both champions sit at B-tier, but Ryze claims a meaningful 52.2% vs 47.8% advantage. Ryze's kit synergizes better in this specific head-to-head matchup. Optimize for consistency: Phase Rush paired with Manaflow Band (49.0% win rate, 76.3% popularity) provides the stats you need, while the item sequence Archangel's Staff > Rod of Ages > Zhonya's Hourglass with Sorcerer's Shoes delivers 70.9% win rate against Zed.

Lane dominance: Ryze not only wins the matchup but crushes CS (8.03/min vs 6.79 for Zed). This 1.24 CS/min advantage generates significant gold leads that compound your already favorable position. Quality over quantity: Ryze wins through smart play rather than raw damage - despite lower DPS (748 vs 806/min), the 52.2% win rate shows superior utility, positioning, and team fight impact. Skill-based matchup: Identical KDA (2.30) with 52.2% win rate indicates that macro play, team coordination, and clutch moments determine outcomes more than individual mechanics.

Ryze vs Zed - Mid Stats Comparison

Ryze Mid
Ryze Mid
Versus
Zed Mid
Zed Mid
BTierB
52.2%Matchup Winrate47.8%
49.52%Role Winrate49.17%
#48Winrate Rank#51
3.9%Pickrate7.0%
2.3Average KDA2.3
422Gold per Minute421
8.03CS/Min6.79
0.31Wards per Minute0.27
748Damage per Minute806

How to Beat Zed as Ryze (Mid)

The Ryze versus Zed matchup in the mid lane is favorable with proper positioning. Use your statistical advantage and prevent the opponent from realizing their potential.

The magic damage that Ryze deals remains relevant in the late game. Look for opportunities to initiate or counter-initiate. Zed deals mainly physical damage (87.22%), additional items against this damage type may be required against snowballing or aggressive play.

An important advantage of Ryze is higher farming statistics (ranked 2nd among role champions) (versus 21st for Zed), which provides a stable gold advantage in extended games and allows faster access to key items.

Key aspects of the Ryze Mid versus Zed Mid matchup

Despite the statistical advantage in the matchup, overconfidence can be the main mistake. It is important for the Ryze player to maintain constant pressure on Zed, not allowing the opponent to safely scale up, and actively use the advantage gained to help their team.

Ryze vs Zed: Mid Lane Summoner Spells

Most Popular

Flash
Flash Teleports you a short distance toward your cursor.
Teleport
Teleport After a brief channel, become untargetable and travel to an allied unit. Upgrades into Unleashed Teleport, which significantly increases travel speed.
47.3% Win Rate91.0% Pick Rate

Highest Win Rate

Flash
Flash Teleports you a short distance toward your cursor.
Teleport
Teleport After a brief channel, become untargetable and travel to an allied unit. Upgrades into Unleashed Teleport, which significantly increases travel speed.
47.3% Win Rate91.0% Pick Rate

Ryze vs Zed: Mid Lane Runes

Most Frequent Runes

Primary Path
Sorcery
Phase Rush
Phase Rush Hitting an enemy champion with 3 attacks or separate abilities within 4s grants 25 - 50% Move Speed based on level and 75% Slow Resistance for 3s. Move Speed is 75% effective for ranged champions.
Cooldown: 30s - 10s

Phase Rush

Hitting an enemy champion with 3 attacks or separate abilities within 4s grants 25 - 50% …

Manaflow Band
Manaflow Band Hitting an enemy champion with an ability permanently increases your maximum mana by 25, up to 250 mana.

After reaching 250 bonus mana, restore 1% of your missing mana every 5 seconds.

Cooldown: 15 seconds

Manaflow Band

Hitting an enemy champion with an ability permanently increases your maximum ma…

Transcendence
Transcendence Gain bonuses upon reaching the following levels:
Level 5: +5 Ability Haste
Level 8: +5 Ability Haste
Level 11: On Champion takedown, reduce the remaining cooldown of basic abilities by 20%.

Transcendence

Gain bonuses upon reaching the following levels:Level 5: +5 Ability Haste Level…

Gathering Storm
Gathering Storm Every 10 min gain AP or AD, adaptive.

10 min: + 8 AP or 5 AD
20 min: + 24 AP or 14 AD
30 min: + 48 AP or 29 AD
40 min: + 80 AP or 48 AD
50 min: + 120 AP or 72 AD
60 min: + 168 AP or 101 AD
etc...

Gathering Storm

Every 10 min gain AP or AD, adaptive.10 min: + 8 AP or 5 AD 20 min: + 24 AP or …

Secondary Path
Resolve
Bone Plating
Bone Plating After taking damage from an enemy champion, the next 3 spells or attacks you receive from them deal 30-60 (based on level) less damage.

Duration: 1.5s
Cooldown: 55s

Bone Plating

After taking damage from an enemy champion, the next 3 spells or attacks you re…

Overgrowth
Overgrowth Absorb life essence from monsters or enemy minions that die near you, permanently gaining 3 maximum health for every 8.

When you've absorbed 120 monsters or enemy minions, gain an additional 3.5% maximum health.

Overgrowth

Absorb life essence from monsters or enemy minions that die near you, permanent…

Adaptive
Attack Speed
Attack Speed Increases attack speed by 10%

Attack Speed

Increases attack speed by 10%

Adaptive Force
Adaptive Force Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

Adaptive Force

Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

Scaling Health
Scaling Health Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

Scaling Health

Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

49.0% Win Rate76.3% Pick Rate

Best Win Rate Runes

Primary Path
Sorcery
Phase Rush
Phase Rush Hitting an enemy champion with 3 attacks or separate abilities within 4s grants 25 - 50% Move Speed based on level and 75% Slow Resistance for 3s. Move Speed is 75% effective for ranged champions.
Cooldown: 30s - 10s

Phase Rush

Hitting an enemy champion with 3 attacks or separate abilities within 4s grants 25 - 50% …

Manaflow Band
Manaflow Band Hitting an enemy champion with an ability permanently increases your maximum mana by 25, up to 250 mana.

After reaching 250 bonus mana, restore 1% of your missing mana every 5 seconds.

Cooldown: 15 seconds

Manaflow Band

Hitting an enemy champion with an ability permanently increases your maximum ma…

Transcendence
Transcendence Gain bonuses upon reaching the following levels:
Level 5: +5 Ability Haste
Level 8: +5 Ability Haste
Level 11: On Champion takedown, reduce the remaining cooldown of basic abilities by 20%.

Transcendence

Gain bonuses upon reaching the following levels:Level 5: +5 Ability Haste Level…

Gathering Storm
Gathering Storm Every 10 min gain AP or AD, adaptive.

10 min: + 8 AP or 5 AD
20 min: + 24 AP or 14 AD
30 min: + 48 AP or 29 AD
40 min: + 80 AP or 48 AD
50 min: + 120 AP or 72 AD
60 min: + 168 AP or 101 AD
etc...

Gathering Storm

Every 10 min gain AP or AD, adaptive.10 min: + 8 AP or 5 AD 20 min: + 24 AP or …

Secondary Path
Resolve
Bone Plating
Bone Plating After taking damage from an enemy champion, the next 3 spells or attacks you receive from them deal 30-60 (based on level) less damage.

Duration: 1.5s
Cooldown: 55s

Bone Plating

After taking damage from an enemy champion, the next 3 spells or attacks you re…

Overgrowth
Overgrowth Absorb life essence from monsters or enemy minions that die near you, permanently gaining 3 maximum health for every 8.

When you've absorbed 120 monsters or enemy minions, gain an additional 3.5% maximum health.

Overgrowth

Absorb life essence from monsters or enemy minions that die near you, permanent…

Adaptive
Attack Speed
Attack Speed Increases attack speed by 10%

Attack Speed

Increases attack speed by 10%

Adaptive Force
Adaptive Force Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

Adaptive Force

Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

Scaling Health
Scaling Health Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

Scaling Health

Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

49.0% Win Rate76.3% Pick Rate

Ryze vs Zed: Mid Lane Item Builds

Most Popular Build

Starting Items
Stealth Ward
Stealth Ward (0 gold) Active (210 - 120s, max 2 charges)
Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision for 90-120 seconds.
Doran's Ring
Doran's Ring (400 gold) 18 Ability Power
90 Health

Restoration
Restore 1.25 Mana every second. If you can't gain Mana, restore 0.55 Health instead.
Helping Hand
Attacks deal 5 bonus physical damage to minions.
Health Potion
Health Potion (50 gold) Consume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.
48.5% Win Rate65.3% Pick Rate
Popular Boots
Sorcerer's Shoes
Sorcerer's Shoes (1100 gold) 12 Magic Penetration
45 Move Speed

44.5% Win Rate35.6% Pick Rate
Plated Steelcaps
Plated Steelcaps (1200 gold) 25 Armor
45 Move Speed

Plating
Reduces incoming damage from Attacks by 10%.
51.5% Win Rate34.1% Pick Rate
Ionian Boots of Lucidity
Ionian Boots of Lucidity (900 gold) 10 Ability Haste
45 Move Speed

Ionian Insight
Gain 10 Summoner Spell Haste.
40.8% Win Rate13.2% Pick Rate
Core Build
Catalyst of Aeons
Catalyst of Aeons (1300 gold) 350 Health
375 Mana

Eternity
Restores 10% of the damage taken from champions as Mana.
Casting an Ability heals for 25% of Mana spent.
->
Rod of Ages
Rod of Ages (2600 gold) 50 Ability Power
400 Health
400 Mana

Timeless
This item gains 10 Health, 20 Mana and 3 Ability Power every 60 seconds up to 10 times. Upon reaching max stacks, gain a level.
Eternity
Taking damage from champions restores 10% of the damage as Mana.
Casting an ability heals for 25% of Mana spent.
Archangel's Staff
Archangel's Staff (2900 gold) 70 Ability Power
600 Mana
25 Ability Haste

Awe
Gain Ability Power equal to 1% bonus Mana.
Manaflow (8s, max 5 charges)
Landing Abilities grants 5 max Mana (doubled vs. champions).
Transforms into Seraph's Embrace at 360 max Mana.
Zhonya's Hourglass
Zhonya's Hourglass (3250 gold) 105 Ability Power
50 Armor


Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.
50.7% Win Rate28.5% Pick Rate
Final Build
Void Staff
Void Staff (3000 gold) 95 Ability Power
40% Magic Penetration

46.8% Win Rate20.5% Pick Rate

Best Win Rate Build

Starting Items
Stealth Ward
Stealth Ward (0 gold) Active (210 - 120s, max 2 charges)
Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision for 90-120 seconds.
Sapphire Crystal
Sapphire Crystal (300 gold) 300 Mana
Refillable Potion
Refillable Potion (150 gold) Active (2 charges)
Restores 100 Health over 12 seconds.
Refills upon visiting the shop.
73.9% Win Rate1.7% Pick Rate
Highest Winrate Boots
Symbiotic Soles
Symbiotic Soles (900 gold) 40 Move Speed
Voidborn
Gain Empowered Recall.
Symbiosis
After traveling 150000 units of distance, transform into Synchronized Souls.
100.0% Win Rate0.4% Pick Rate
Plated Steelcaps
Plated Steelcaps (1200 gold) 25 Armor
45 Move Speed

Plating
Reduces incoming damage from Attacks by 10%.
51.5% Win Rate34.1% Pick Rate
Boots of Swiftness
Boots of Swiftness (1000 gold) 60 Move Speed
Fleetfooted
Reduce the effectiveness of Slows by 25%.
49.7% Win Rate2.0% Pick Rate
Core Build
Lost Chapter
Lost Chapter (1200 gold) 40 Ability Power
300 Mana
10 Ability Haste

Enlighten
Levelling up restores 20% max Mana over 3 seconds.
->
Archangel's Staff
Archangel's Staff (2900 gold) 70 Ability Power
600 Mana
25 Ability Haste

Awe
Gain Ability Power equal to 1% bonus Mana.
Manaflow (8s, max 5 charges)
Landing Abilities grants 5 max Mana (doubled vs. champions).
Transforms into Seraph's Embrace at 360 max Mana.
Rod of Ages
Rod of Ages (2600 gold) 50 Ability Power
400 Health
400 Mana

Timeless
This item gains 10 Health, 20 Mana and 3 Ability Power every 60 seconds up to 10 times. Upon reaching max stacks, gain a level.
Eternity
Taking damage from champions restores 10% of the damage as Mana.
Casting an ability heals for 25% of Mana spent.
Zhonya's Hourglass
Zhonya's Hourglass (3250 gold) 105 Ability Power
50 Armor


Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.
70.9% Win Rate2.3% Pick Rate
Final Build
Frozen Heart
Frozen Heart (2500 gold) 75 Armor
400 Mana
20 Ability Haste

Winter's Caress
Reduce the Attack Speed of nearby champions by 20%.
100.0% Win Rate5.6% Pick Rate
Other Items
Cosmic Drive
Cosmic Drive (3000 gold) 70 Ability Power
350 Health
25 Ability Haste
4% Move Speed

Spelldance
Dealing magic or true damage to champions grants Move Speed for 4 seconds.
49.0% Win Rate16.8% Pick Rate
Rabadon's Deathcap
Rabadon's Deathcap (3600 gold) 130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.
35.8% Win Rate15.3% Pick Rate
Frozen Heart
Frozen Heart (2500 gold) 75 Armor
400 Mana
20 Ability Haste

Winter's Caress
Reduce the Attack Speed of nearby champions by 20%.
100.0% Win Rate5.6% Pick Rate
Morellonomicon
Morellonomicon (2950 gold) 75 Ability Power
350 Health
15 Ability Haste

Grievous Wounds
Dealing magic damage to champions applies 40% Wounds for 3 seconds.
24.9% Win Rate5.5% Pick Rate
Bloodletter's Curse
Bloodletter's Curse (2900 gold) 60 Ability Power
350 Health
15 Ability Haste

Vile Decay
Dealing magic damage with abilities or passives to champions reduces their Magic Resist by 5% for 6 seconds, up to 30%.
0.0% Win Rate4.1% Pick Rate
Shadowflame
Shadowflame (3200 gold) 110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration

Cinderbloom
Magic and true damageCritically Strikes enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.
98.4% Win Rate2.8% Pick Rate
Cryptbloom
Cryptbloom (2850 gold) 60 Ability Power
30% Magic Penetration
15 Ability Haste

Life from Death
When a champion that you damaged within 3 seconds dies, a nova spreads from their corpse that heals.
50.1% Win Rate2.8% Pick Rate

Ryze vs Zed: Mid Lane Skill (abilities) Orders

Most Frequent Skill Order

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Q
Q
Overload Passively, Ryze's other basic abilities reset the cooldown of Overload and charge a rune. When Ryze casts Overload with 2 runes charged, he gains a brief burst of Move Speed.

On cast, Ryze throws a charge of pure energy in a line, dealing damage to the first enemy struck. If the target has Flux on it, Overload deals extra damage and bounces to nearby enemies with Flux.
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
W
W
Rune Prison Ryze traps a target in a cage of runes, damaging them and slowing their movement. If the target has Flux on it, they are instead rooted.
W
W
W
W
W
E
E
Spell Flux Ryze releases an orb of pure magical power that damages an enemy and debuffs all nearby enemies. Ryze's spells have additional effects against the debuffed enemy.
E
E
E
E
E
R
R
Realm Warp Passively, Overload deals even more damage against targets with Flux.

On cast, Ryze creates a portal to a nearby location. After a few seconds, allies standing near the portal are teleported to the target location.
R
R
R
Max Order: Q > E > W
49.9% Win Rate48.6% Pick Rate

Highest Win % Skill Order

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
R
Q
Overload Passively, Ryze's other basic abilities reset the cooldown of Overload and charge a rune. When Ryze casts Overload with 2 runes charged, he gains a brief burst of Move Speed.

On cast, Ryze throws a charge of pure energy in a line, dealing damage to the first enemy struck. If the target has Flux on it, Overload deals extra damage and bounces to nearby enemies with Flux.
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
R
W
Rune Prison Ryze traps a target in a cage of runes, damaging them and slowing their movement. If the target has Flux on it, they are instead rooted.
W
W
W
W
W
R
E
Spell Flux Ryze releases an orb of pure magical power that damages an enemy and debuffs all nearby enemies. Ryze's spells have additional effects against the debuffed enemy.
E
E
E
E
E
R
R
Realm Warp Passively, Overload deals even more damage against targets with Flux.On cast, Ryze creates a portal to a nearby location. After a few seconds, allies standing near the portal are teleported to the target location.
R
R
R
Max Order: Q > E > W
97.0% Win Rate0.7% Pick Rate

Ryze tips:

  • Use Overload's passive to optimize for maximum damage or maximum speed.
  • Spell Flux's short cooldown allows it to be used to spread Flux to many enemies.
  • Ryze can move and cast other spells while Realm Warp is charging without cancelling the portal.

Playing 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.