Counterplay
Patch 26.16SketchCounter Zilean
The opponents who give Zilean trouble, and how to handle each one.
Where these numbers come from
They are pulled from the mode's own files for patch 26.16, the one currently live. The source is community-run rather than an official Riot API, and the game shifts with community votes, so a gap with your own game is always possible.
She has the hard engage you don't, and once she's on your carry, your only answer is your ultimate, not a root that stops her from getting there in the first place. Always stay outside her leap range, never stand next to your carry at the edge of brush, and mark them ahead of time the second you see Leona positioning to jump. Chronoshift needs to go out before the impact, not after, or the kill window is already gone.
She has the hard engage you don't, and once she's on your carry, your only answer is your ultimate, not a root that stops her from getting there in the first place. Always stay outside her leap range, never stand next to your carry at the edge of brush, and mark them ahead of time the second you see Leona positioning to jump. Chronoshift needs to go out before the impact, not after, or the kill window is already gone.
Two protect-style supports rather than engage supports, this lane comes down to who forces the first bad move. Her shield cancels your Time Bomb harassment if she sees it coming, so vary when you drop it instead of throwing it on the same rhythm every time. Your ultimate stays the deciding argument the moment a third party gets involved, she has nothing equivalent to cancel a death that's already locked in.
Two protect-style supports rather than engage supports, this lane comes down to who forces the first bad move. Her shield cancels your Time Bomb harassment if she sees it coming, so vary when you drop it instead of throwing it on the same rhythm every time. Your ultimate stays the deciding argument the moment a third party gets involved, she has nothing equivalent to cancel a death that's already locked in.