UpMatched Yone vs Zed Matchup Guide
Yone
Mid Lane Skirmisher
The Unforgotten — crit skirmisher with Q3 knock-up and safe trades via E
Zed
Mid Lane AD Assassin
Zed — ad assassin with burst and outplay tools
Champ Select Cheat Sheet — Yone vs Zed
Navori Flickerblade (2650g)
Berserker's Greaves (1100g)
Infinity Edge (3450g)Matchup Dynamics
How This Matchup Works
Trade with W shield and E safety; block shurikens with wave; force Q3→R windows post‑6, disengage after 
Death MarkR – Death MarkZed becomes untargetable and dashes to an enemy champion, marking them. After 3 seconds the mark triggers, repeating a portion of all the damage Zed dealt to the target while they were marked. pop.
Early Game (1-5)
Skill Matchup - Execution decides levels 1–6; track junglers and all-in only when Yone has Q3 knock-up or 
FlashFlashTeleports you a short distance toward your cursor. advantage.
Mid Game (6-11)
Skill Matchup - Execution decides levels 7–18; track junglers and all-in only when Yone has Q3 knock-up or FlashFlashTeleports you a short distance toward your cursor. advantage.
Late Game (12+)
Yone Favored - Yone converts extended trades 19–35+ with Q – 
Mortal SteelQ – Mortal SteelThrusts forward, damaging all enemies in a line.On hit, grants a stack of Gathering Storm for a few seconds. (stacked) > W – 
Spirit CleaveW – Spirit CleaveCleaves forward, damaging all enemies in a cone. Grants a shield to Yone, the value is increased by the number of champions hit by the swipe.Spirit Cleave's cooldown and cast time scale with attack sp... shield > E – 
Soul UnboundE – Soul UnboundYone's spirit leaves his body behind, gaining Move Speed. When this ability ends, Yone's spirit is forced back to his body and he repeats a portion of the damage he dealt as a spirit. return; punish Zed after key cooldowns.
Key Interactions
- Shadow setups: Cast E before Zed uses W –
Living ShadowW – Living ShadowPassive: Zed gains energy whenever he and his shadows strike an enemy with the same ability.; follow shadow placement with Q3 > R; return if he ults and you lose vision. - Outplay Death MarkR – Death MarkZed becomes untargetable and dashes to an enemy champion, marking them. After 3 seconds the mark triggers, repeating a portion of all the damage Zed dealt to the target while they were marked.: Hold E to dodge R – Death MarkR – Death MarkZed becomes untargetable and dashes to an enemy champion, marking them. After 3 seconds the mark triggers, repeating a portion of all the damage Zed dealt to the target while they were marked. burst; snap back after Zed pops for damage repeat; Hourglass/GA further blunts execute.
- Q3 timing: Stack Q twice on wave; threaten through minions to block Zed shuriken angle.
- W shield timing: Tap W the instant Zed W+E+Q lands to negate chunk; disengage if
IgniteIgniteDeals true damage over time to target enemy champion and reduces healing effects on them for the duration. used.
Yone
Strengths
- Skirmishes with mixed damage
- Q3+R lock-on beats shadows
- E safety denies risky all-ins
Weaknesses
- Short range pre‑6
- Vulnerable when E is down
- Needs items to kill through armor
Zed
Strengths
- Zed has high burst windows with shadows
- Strong side lane pressure mid game
Weaknesses
- Falls off vs MR/tenacity
- Telegraphed when W is down
Power Curve Comparison EXPERIMENTAL
Power Curve Visualization
Win Conditions
Yone's Win Condition
- Stack Q via wave; look Q3→R after Zed W
- Use E reactively to Death MarkR – Death MarkZed becomes untargetable and dashes to an enemy champion, marking them. After 3 seconds the mark triggers, repeating a portion of all the damage Zed dealt to the target while they were marked.; return post pop
- Push sides then collapse with TP
Zed's Win Condition
- Poke with shadows when E down
- All-in on return point
- Shadow roam on prio
Laning Phase Guide
| Level/Phase | Yone | Zed |
|---|---|---|
Power Spikes
Level Spikes
| Yone | Zed | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Description | Level | Description |
| 3 | Minor E unlocked for safe trades | 3 | Major EWQ poke online |
| 6 | Major R enables Q3→R kill angles | 6 | Major Death MarkR – Death MarkZed becomes untargetable and dashes to an enemy champion, marking them. After 3 seconds the mark triggers, repeating a portion of all the damage Zed dealt to the target while they were marked. one‑shot angles |
| 9 | Major Q max for shove | 9 | Minor First max improves wave clear |
| 11 | Major R2 + IE elevate burst | ||
Item Spikes
| Yone | Zed | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Description | Item | Description |
| Berserker's GreavesBerserker's GreavesEnhances Move Speed and Attack Speed (1100g) |
AS for Q cadence |  EclipseEclipse60 Attack Damage15 Ability HasteEver Rising MoonHitting a champion with 2 separate Attacks or Abilities within 2 seconds grants you a Shield for 2 seconds. (3100g) |
Armor pen burst spike |
| Navori FlickerbladeNavori Flickerblade40% Attack Speed25% Critical Strike Chance4% Move SpeedTranscendenceAttacks reduce Basic Ability cooldowns by 15% of their remaining cooldown. (2650g) |
On‑hit CDR keeps Q/W up |  Youmuu's GhostbladeYoumuu's GhostbladeActivate to greatly increase Move Speed (3100g) |
MS for picks |
| Infinity EdgeInfinity EdgeMassively enhances critical strikes (3450g) |
Crit damage powers kills | ||
Best Build for Yone
Starting Items
Doran's ShieldDoran's ShieldGood defensive starting item (400g) + 
Health PotionHealth PotionConsume to restore Health over time
Core Items
Navori FlickerbladeNavori Flickerblade40% Attack Speed25% Critical Strike Chance4% Move SpeedTranscendenceAttacks reduce Basic Ability cooldowns by 15% of their remaining cooldown. (2650g) → Berserker's GreavesBerserker's GreavesEnhances Move Speed and Attack Speed (1100g) → Infinity EdgeInfinity EdgeMassively enhances critical strikes (3450g)
Runes
Primary: 
Lethal TempoLethal TempoAttacking an enemy champion grants you Attack Speed, up to 6 stacks. At max stacks, deal bonus adaptive damage On-Attack., 
TriumphTriumphTakedowns restore 5% of your missing health and grant an additional 20 gold., 
Legend: AlacrityLegend: AlacrityTakedowns on enemies grant permanent Attack Speed., 
Last StandLast StandDeal more damage to champions while you are low on health.
Secondary: 
Second WindSecond WindAfter taking damage from an enemy champion heal back some missing health over time., 
UnflinchingUnflinchingGain Armor and Magic Resist when receiving crowd control.
Summoner Spells
FlashFlashTeleports you a short distance toward your cursor. + 
TeleportTeleportAfter a brief channel, become untargetable and travel to an allied unit. Upgrades into Unleashed Teleport, which significantly increases travel speed.
Priority Build Path
Navori Flickerblade
On-hit CDR for Q/W cycling
Berserker's Greaves
25% AS accelerates Q stacks
Infinity Edge
Crit damage for Q3+R kills
Blade of the Ruined King
%HP shred + chase active
Situational Adjustments
Wit's EndWit's EndResist magic damage and claw your way back to life.: Into AP burst
BloodthirsterBloodthirsterGrants Attack Damage, Life Steal and Life Steal now overheals: Into poke comps
Guardian AngelGuardian AngelPeriodically revives champion upon death: Into high burst/reset comps
Key Patterns
Lethal Combos
Q2 → E → Q3 → 
R → AA → W → return
EWQ poke → R at 6 on return point
IgniteIgniteDeals true damage over time to target enemy champion and reduces healing effects on them for the duration. and 
Serrated DirkSerrated DirkIncreases Attack Damage and Lethality
Trading Combos
Q→W→back or E→Q→AA→return
W→
E→
Q
Lethal Thresholds
- Yone Kill Range: ~55% with IE+Navori if R hits
- Zed Kill Range: ~50% if Death MarkR – Death MarkZed becomes untargetable and dashes to an enemy champion, marking them. After 3 seconds the mark triggers, repeating a portion of all the damage Zed dealt to the target while they were marked. + IgniteIgniteDeals true damage over time to target enemy champion and reduces healing effects on them for the duration. land
- Critical Levels: 3/6/9/11
Level by Level Game Plan
| Level | Primary Goal | Lane Position | Trading Opportunities | Kill Windows | Setup Opportunities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Secure push safely | Hold wave 3–4 from tower | Q outer only | Low | Ward pixel 2:30 |
| 2 | Add shield trading | Keep 6–8 minions | Q→W tap→back | Medium if chunked | Crash 3rd wave |
| 3 | Unlock E trades | Angle to one side for E path | E→Q→AA then return | Medium | Ward raptors 3:15 |
| 4-5 | Stabilize and set recall | Freeze 5–6 minions | Punish post‑cooldowns | Low | Recall on cannon |
| 6 | All-in with Q3+R | Crash wave before commit | E→Q3→R→W then return | High | Track sums |
| 7-8 | Item spike roam | Shove then move | Use E + Q3 picks | High | Deep wards |
| 9+ | Transition to side lane | Side with TP | Q max for shove | Medium–High | Sync with timers |
| Mid Game (11-16) | Win skirmishes | Control river | Look for Q3>R | High | Vision 45–60s pre‑spawn |
| Late Game (16+) | Teamfight execution | Flank or F2B | Pick > reset with E | High | Sync TP + objectives |
First Back Goals
Ideal Back (1200–1500g)
- Zeal (1200g)
- Control Ward (75g)
Crash cannon ~4:30–4:45
Standard Back (900–1100g)
- Pickaxe (875g)
- Boots (300g)
Base on slow push
Teamfight Tips
| Aspect | Yone | Zed |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Diver/skirmisher | Assassin |
| Target Priority | Zed if isolated Enemy ADC Jungler on objective |
Yone when E is down Opposing ADC |
| Objective Control | Turn with Q3>R on grouped enemies | Look for picks pre‑spawn |
| Positioning | Flank or front‑to‑back; return after burst | Shadow angles from fog |
| Other Tips | Bait Zed W then engage Time W shield into his EWQ |
Force E early Ult on his return point |
