Mid Matchup

Xerath vs Zed

Patch: 15.18 (25.18)
League: Platinum+
Xerath

Xerath

the Magus Ascendant
Mid
Xerath Mid Overall Win Rate
51.67%

Matchup Win Rate

45.0%
Xerath vs Zed Wins
⚔
55.1%
Zed vs Xerath Wins
Zed

Zed

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

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

Xerath Mid vs Zed Mid - Who is stronger?

Zed Mid counters Xerath hard (45.0% win rate) based on 776 games. This matchup is really difficult for Xerath players.

View detailed statistics below: items, runes, and counter builds for Xerath 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 76.6% in this matchup.

Statistical Matchup Analysis

With 3.8% popularity, Xerath constantly encounters meta-dominant Zed (7.0%, 4th place out of 61 Mid champions). Understanding how to play against this popular champion becomes essential for consistent Xerath performance in the current patch. Surprising upset: Despite Xerath's higher tier rating, Zed wins 55.1% of encounters. This suggests Zed's kit specifically counters Xerath's playstyle, overriding general meta strength - approach this matchup with extra caution. Every edge matters: In this tough matchup, the proven Arcane Comet + Manaflow Band combination (65.7% win rate) plus optimal itemization Luden's Companion, Shadowflame, Mejai's Soulstealer, and Sorcerer's Shoes boosts your chances from 45.0% to 76.6% - potentially game-changing.

Farm your way back: Xerath's superior farming (6.95 vs 6.79/min, 18th among Mid) offers a comeback path. Focus on safe CSing and capitalize on your 0.16 CS/min natural advantage. Damage doesn't equal wins: Xerath outputs more damage (819 vs 806/min, 2nd place) but still loses the matchup. The issue likely lies in survivability, mobility, or damage timing rather than raw output. Strong individual performance: Xerath maintains better KDA (3.10, 2nd place vs 36th for Zed), but loses the matchup overall. High KDA without wins suggests difficulty translating individual advantages into victory conditions.

Xerath vs Zed - Mid Stats Comparison

Xerath Mid
Xerath Mid		Versus
Zed Mid
Zed Mid
A+TierB
45.0%Matchup Winrate55.1%
51.67%Role Winrate49.17%
#17Winrate Rank#51
3.8%Pickrate7.0%
3.1Average KDA2.3
433Gold per Minute421
6.95CS/Min6.79
0.30Wards per Minute0.27
819Damage per Minute806

How to Beat Zed as Xerath (Mid)

Difficult matchup requiring deep understanding of game mechanics and flawless execution. Patience and proper macro play are the keys to victory in this confrontation.

The magic damage that Xerath 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 Xerath is higher farming statistics (ranked 18th among role champions) (versus 21st for Zed), which provides a stable gold advantage in extended games and allows faster access to key items. Meanwhile, their lower KDA (2.3 versus 3.1) suggests they are less effective in team fights.

Key aspects of the Xerath Mid versus Zed Mid matchup

In this difficult confrontation, it is critically important for the Xerath player to avoid attempts to force trades and all-ins with the Zed player, as the matchup requires a patient and calculated approach. Extended trades without clear tactical advantage often lead to unfavorable consequences, and ignoring opportunities to receive team support can be a fatal mistake for game progression.

Xerath 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.
56.4% Win Rate76.4% Pick Rate

Highest Win Rate

Flash
Flash Teleports you a short distance toward your cursor.
Ignite
Ignite Deals true damage over time to target enemy champion and reduces healing effects on them for the duration.
68.0% Win Rate2.3% Pick Rate

Xerath vs Zed: Mid Lane Runes

Most Frequent Runes

Primary Path
Sorcery
Arcane Comet
Arcane Comet Damaging a champion with an ability hurls a comet at their location, or, if Arcane Comet is on cooldown, reduces its remaining cooldown.

Adaptive Damage: 30 - 130 based on level (+0.05 AP and +0.1 bonus AD)
Cooldown: 20 - 8s

Cooldown Reduction:
Single Target: 20%.
Area of Effect: 10%.
Damage over Time: 5%.

Arcane Comet

Damaging a champion with an ability hurls a comet at their location, or, if Arcane Comet …

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…

Scorch
Scorch Your next damaging ability hit sets champions on fire dealing 20 - 40 bonus magic damage based on level after 1s.

Cooldown: 10s

Scorch

Your next damaging ability hit sets champions on fire dealing 20 - 40 bonus mag…

Secondary Path
Precision
Presence of Mind
Presence of Mind Damaging an enemy champion restores 6-50 (80% for ranged) mana or 6 energy.

Takedowns restore 15% of your maximum mana or energy.

Cooldown for damage restoration: 8s

Presence of Mind

Damaging an enemy champion restores 6-50 (80% for ranged) mana or 6 energy.Take…

Coup de Grace
Coup de Grace Deal 8% more damage to champions who have less than 40% health.

Coup de Grace

Deal 8% more damage to champions who have less than 40% health.

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

Adaptive Force

Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

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

55.6% Win Rate49.1% Pick Rate

Best Win Rate Runes

Primary Path
Sorcery
Arcane Comet
Arcane Comet Damaging a champion with an ability hurls a comet at their location, or, if Arcane Comet is on cooldown, reduces its remaining cooldown.

Adaptive Damage: 30 - 130 based on level (+0.05 AP and +0.1 bonus AD)
Cooldown: 20 - 8s

Cooldown Reduction:
Single Target: 20%.
Area of Effect: 10%.
Damage over Time: 5%.

Arcane Comet

Damaging a champion with an ability hurls a comet at their location, or, if Arcane Comet …

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…

Scorch
Scorch Your next damaging ability hit sets champions on fire dealing 20 - 40 bonus magic damage based on level after 1s.

Cooldown: 10s

Scorch

Your next damaging ability hit sets champions on fire dealing 20 - 40 bonus mag…

Secondary Path
Domination
Cheap Shot
Cheap Shot Damaging champions with impaired movement or actions deals 10 - 45 bonus true damage (based on level).

Cooldown: 4s
Activates on damage occurring after the impairment.

Cheap Shot

Damaging champions with impaired movement or actions deals 10 - 45 bonus true d…

Ultimate Hunter
Ultimate Hunter Your ultimate gains 6 Ability Haste, plus an additional 5 Ability Haste per Bounty Hunter stack. Bounty Hunter stacks are earned the first time you get a takedown on each enemy champion.

Ultimate Hunter

Your ultimate gains 6 Ability Haste, plus an additional 5 Ability Haste per Bou…

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

Adaptive Force

Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

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

65.7% Win Rate4.1% Pick Rate

Xerath 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.
54.7% Win Rate92.4% Pick Rate
Popular Boots
Sorcerer's Shoes
Sorcerer's Shoes (1100 gold) 12 Magic Penetration
45 Move Speed
54.9% Win Rate88.4% 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.
59.3% Win Rate2.7% Pick Rate
Plated Steelcaps
Plated Steelcaps (1200 gold) 25 Armor
45 Move Speed
Plating
Reduces incoming damage from Attacks by 10%.
71.1% Win Rate1.2% 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.
->
Luden's Companion
Luden's Companion (2850 gold) 100 Ability Power
600 Mana
10 Ability Haste
Fire
Damaging Abilities fire 6 Shots that deal bonus magic damage to the target and nearby enemies. Remaining Shots fire on the primary target, dealing 20% damage.
Shadowflame
Shadowflame (3200 gold) 110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damageCritically Strikes enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.
Rabadon's Deathcap
Rabadon's Deathcap (3600 gold) 130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.
64.5% Win Rate17.4% Pick Rate
Final Build
Void Staff
Void Staff (3000 gold) 95 Ability Power
40% Magic Penetration
78.3% Win Rate21.6% 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.
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.
54.7% Win Rate92.4% Pick Rate
Highest Winrate Boots
Plated Steelcaps
Plated Steelcaps (1200 gold) 25 Armor
45 Move Speed
Plating
Reduces incoming damage from Attacks by 10%.
71.1% Win Rate1.2% 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.
59.3% Win Rate2.7% Pick Rate
Sorcerer's Shoes
Sorcerer's Shoes (1100 gold) 12 Magic Penetration
45 Move Speed
54.9% Win Rate88.4% 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.
->
Luden's Companion
Luden's Companion (2850 gold) 100 Ability Power
600 Mana
10 Ability Haste
Fire
Damaging Abilities fire 6 Shots that deal bonus magic damage to the target and nearby enemies. Remaining Shots fire on the primary target, dealing 20% damage.
Shadowflame
Shadowflame (3200 gold) 110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damageCritically Strikes enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.
Mejai's Soulstealer
Mejai's Soulstealer (1500 gold) 20 Ability Power
100 Health
Glory
Takedowns grant Glory, up to 25. 10 Glory is lost on death.
Gain 5 Ability Power per Glory and 10% Move Speed at 10 or higher Glory.
76.6% Win Rate2.8% Pick Rate
Final Build
Malignance
Malignance (2700 gold) 85 Ability Power
600 Mana
15 Ability Haste
Scorn
Gain 20 Ultimate Ability Haste.
Hatefog
Damaging a champion with your Ultimate burns the ground beneath them for 3s, dealing magic damage per second and reducing their Magic Resist.
100.0% Win Rate1.2% Pick Rate
Other Items
Horizon Focus
Horizon Focus (2700 gold) 75 Ability Power
25 Ability Haste
Hypershot
Dealing Ability damage to champions at 600 range or greater Reveals them for 6 seconds.
Deal 10% increased damage to enemies Revealed by this item.
Focus
When Hypershot is triggered, Reveal all other enemy champions within 1400 range of them for 3 seconds.
50.2% Win Rate14.5% Pick Rate
Zhonya's Hourglass
Zhonya's Hourglass (3250 gold) 105 Ability Power
50 Armor

Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.
78.6% Win Rate12.3% Pick Rate
Stormsurge
Stormsurge (2900 gold) 90 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
4% Move Speed
Stormraider
Dealing 25% of a champion's maximum Health within 2.5s applies Squall to them and grants 25% Move Speed for 1.5 seconds.
Squall
After 2 seconds, deal magic damage. If the target dies before Squall triggers, it damages nearby enemies and grants 30 gold.
70.6% Win Rate8.5% Pick Rate
Liandry's Torment
Liandry's Torment (3000 gold) 70 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.
24.6% Win Rate4.9% Pick Rate
Mejai's Soulstealer
Mejai's Soulstealer (1500 gold) 20 Ability Power
100 Health
Glory
Takedowns grant Glory, up to 25. 10 Glory is lost on death.
Gain 5 Ability Power per Glory and 10% Move Speed at 10 or higher Glory.
74.9% Win Rate4.8% Pick Rate
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
Rylai's Crystal Scepter (2600 gold) 65 Ability Power
400 Health
Rimefrost
Damaging Abilities Slow enemies by 30% for 1 second.
0.0% Win Rate2.4% Pick Rate
Malignance
Malignance (2700 gold) 85 Ability Power
600 Mana
15 Ability Haste
Scorn
Gain 20 Ultimate Ability Haste.
Hatefog
Damaging a champion with your Ultimate burns the ground beneath them for 3s, dealing magic damage per second and reducing their Magic Resist.
100.0% Win Rate1.2% Pick Rate

Xerath 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
Arcanopulse Fires a long-range beam of energy, dealing magic damage to all targets hit.
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
W
W
Eye of Destruction Calls down a barrage of arcane energy, slowing and dealing magic damage to all enemies in an area. Targets in the middle receive additional damage and a stronger slow.
W
W
W
W
W
E
E
Shocking Orb Deals magic damage to an enemy and stuns them.
E
E
E
E
E
R
R
Rite of the Arcane Xerath immobilizes himself and gains numerous long-range barrages.
R
R
R
Max Order: Q > W > E
52.5% Win Rate53.5% 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
Arcanopulse Fires a long-range beam of energy, dealing magic damage to all targets hit.
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
R
W
Eye of Destruction Calls down a barrage of arcane energy, slowing and dealing magic damage to all enemies in an area. Targets in the middle receive additional damage and a stronger slow.
W
W
W
W
W
R
E
Shocking Orb Deals magic damage to an enemy and stuns them.
E
E
E
E
E
R
R
Rite of the Arcane Xerath immobilizes himself and gains numerous long-range barrages.
R
R
R
Max Order: Q > W > E
77.0% Win Rate1.0% Pick Rate

Xerath tips:

  • It's easier to land Arcanopulse on an enemy when they're moving toward or away from you, rather than side to side.
  • Eye of Destruction will make landing Arcanopulse easier as the target will be slowed.
  • If you stun an enemy with Shocking Orb, follow up with a guaranteed center hit on Eye of Destruction.

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.

Xerath Mid other Matchups

Xerath
+8.6%
Anivia

Xerath vs Anivia

Xerath
+8.5%
Mel

Xerath vs Mel

Xerath
+7.0%
Azir

Xerath vs Azir

Xerath
+6.9%
Vladimir

Xerath vs Vladimir

Xerath
+6.8%
Taliyah

Xerath vs Taliyah

Xerath
+5.2%
Yasuo

Xerath vs Yasuo

Xerath
+4.9%
Annie

Xerath vs Annie

Xerath
+3.9%
Lux

Xerath vs Lux

Xerath
+3.3%
Veigar

Xerath vs Veigar

Xerath
+3.2%
Malzahar

Xerath vs Malzahar

Xerath
+2.6%
Ryze

Xerath vs Ryze

Xerath
+2.6%
Hwei

Xerath vs Hwei

Xerath
+2.2%
Orianna

Xerath vs Orianna

Xerath
+2.0%
Sylas

Xerath vs Sylas

Xerath
+2.0%
Lissandra

Xerath vs Lissandra

Xerath
+1.9%
Ahri

Xerath vs Ahri

Xerath
+1.6%
Viktor

Xerath vs Viktor

Xerath
-1.3%
Akali

Xerath vs Akali

Xerath
-1.4%
Zoe

Xerath vs Zoe

Xerath
-1.6%
Katarina

Xerath vs Katarina

Xerath
-1.9%
Twisted Fate

Xerath vs Twisted Fate

Xerath
-2.0%
Syndra

Xerath vs Syndra

Xerath
-2.1%
LeBlanc

Xerath vs LeBlanc

Xerath
-2.4%
Ekko

Xerath vs Ekko

Xerath
-3.1%
Galio

Xerath vs Galio

Xerath
-3.4%
Aurora

Xerath vs Aurora

Xerath
-4.1%
Yone

Xerath vs Yone

Xerath
-5.2%
Diana

Xerath vs Diana

Xerath
-7.0%
Vex

Xerath vs Vex

Xerath
-7.4%
Fizz

Xerath vs Fizz