Zyra Review
Hey there, fellow summoners! Today, I’m diving into the mesmerizing world of Zyra, the enchanting plant sorceress of League of Legends. Zyra is not your ordinary champion; she’s a botanical beauty with a unique blend of nature’s fury and human cunning. In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know about Zyra, from her lore and abilities to her best items and strategies. So, why am I so excited to review this champ? Well, besides her stunning design and thrilling skill set, there’s something magical about locking down opponents with her ultimate. It’s like painting a masterpiece on the Rift!
Lore
Born from an ancient, cataclysmic event, Zyra is the embodiment of nature’s vengeance, a captivating fusion of plant and human. She sees the denizens of Runeterra as mere prey for her flourishing progeny, and she won’t hesitate to unleash deadly spines upon them. While her true purpose remains shrouded in mystery, Zyra roams the world, driven by primal instincts to conquer and reclaim every inch of it. Her ultimate goal? To envelop the world with her verdant creations, purging it of everything that dares to challenge her dominion.
Champion Abilities
Let’s dig into Zyra’s captivating abilities:
- Passive – Garden of Thorns: Zyra spawns seeds around her over time, and she can use her other abilities near these seeds to summon plants that fight by her side.
- Q – Deadly Spines: Zyra unleashes explosive spines from the ground, dealing magical damage to nearby enemies. Casting this near a seed creates a Thorn Spitter plant, providing ranged support.
- W – Rampant Growth: Zyra plants a seed that lasts for up to 60 seconds. Casting her Q or E near a seed transforms it into a fighting plant. She can store multiple seeds, and eliminating enemies reduces the recharge time.
- E – Grasping Roots: Zyra sends out entangling vines, damaging and rooting enemies in their path. If cast near a seed, it transforms into a Vine Lasher, slowing down foes.
- R – Stranglethorns: Zyra summons a twisted thicket at a target location, dealing damage as it expands and knocking enemies into the air upon contraction. Plants within the thicket become enraged.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Zyra
Pros:
- Proficient at taking on Dragons, Herald, and Baron Nashor solo or assisting in tanking them.
- Boasts high damage per second (DPS) output.
- Has the option to purchase a Morellonomicon to counter enemy healing if necessary.
- Wields multiple crowd control abilities, including snares and knockups.
- Can safely poke enemies from a moderate distance.
- Capable of soloing fragile targets when ahead in the game.
- Can create plants strategically to intercept skill shots, like Blitzcrank’s Rocket Grab.
- Utilizes Rampant Growth and spells to confidently check bushes.
Cons:
- Vulnerable due to her squishy nature.
- Experiences a significant drop in DPS when falling behind in the game.
- Relies on random seed placement for her passive ability, which can be unpredictable.
- Lacks an escape mechanism, making her susceptible to ganks and engages.
Best Items for Zyra
Spellthief’s Edge has undergone changes in its upgrade path, automatically advancing to Frostfang after collecting 500 gold and then to Shard of True Ice after collecting 1000 gold from the Tribute gold quest.
You are now able to receive gold from damaging enemies and turrets without needing an ally nearby. Additionally, you won’t be penalized for accidentally last-hitting minions with skillshots in the lane, as long as you stay below the Support Rule CS Limit, which typically activates after taking around 30-40 creeps, depending on the game’s timing. The Tribute gold can be triggered by attacking unique plants for the first time.
Shard of True Ice represents the final Support Quest upgrade. Although it no longer generates tribute gold, it provides valuable mid-game stats and supplies you with four ward charges that can be refreshed when you return to the fountain. If you accidentally kill a minion, you can still earn income by hitting towers or champions, as long as you’ve completed the quest.
Sorcerer’s Shoes, when completed before mid-game, not only grant Zyra much-needed mobility but also increase her magic penetration by 18. When combined with Oblivion Orb, this will result in 33 magic penetration. It’s important to note that magic penetration cannot exceed the amount of magic resist on the enemy.
Morellonomicon can be a potent item when facing teams with significant healing capabilities, such as Soraka, Vladimir, Nami, Fiora, Dr. Mundo, Tryndamere, Aatrox, Warwick, and others. If you suspect the enemy team has strong healing, consider picking up Oblivion Orb as your first item before completing Morello.
Liandry’s Anguish is a Mythic item that excels in prolonged fights but is also a core item that boosts your damage output, even in shorter skirmishes. This item allows you to take down dragons and Baron Nashor much faster as well. It’s a solid choice against high-health enemy champions, although Ludens could be a better option in other situations.
Best Lanes and Roles for Zyra
Playing Zyra as an ADC can be challenging, but immensely rewarding. Your success hinges on consistently landing your Q skillshot. If you master her mechanics, you can dominate teamfights, but failing to do so will leave you vulnerable and unable to unlock her full potential.
Champion Picks and Counter Picks
Understanding matchups is key to victory in the League of Legends arena. Zyra excels against champions like Pantheon and Brand, finding success in the laning phase. However, she faces her worst nightmares when up against Pyke and Blitzcrank. These crowd control-heavy champions can easily disrupt Zyra’s plans, so consider your matchups carefully.
Price of this Champion in 2023
As of 2023, Zyra comes with a price tag of 3150 Blue Essence or 790 Riot Points. Whether you’re saving up your hard-earned BE or considering a RP splurge, Zyra is a fantastic investment for those who appreciate a unique and deadly playstyle.
My Feedback
Playing Zyra is an absolute blast, and her distinctive plant-based mechanics bring freshness to each match. While her damage might not hit peak levels immediately, opting for an Electrocute build allows you to consistently catch opponents off-guard and apply pressure throughout the game. Zyra’s remarkable ability to create a barrier that separates the enemy backline while a tank charges in, or even solo eliminate a fragile target when played as a support, is incredibly potent. Additionally, she boasts the added benefit of being one of the safest AP Mage Supports in the bot lane.
Best Guide for Zyra in 2023
If you’re looking to master Zyra and unlock her full potential, I’ve got just the guide for you. Check out this comprehensive guide:Zyra Guide. It’s packed with tips, tricks, and in-depth strategies to help you become a Zyra virtuoso.
Best Skins for Zyra
Now, let’s talk fashion! Zyra has a range of skins to choose from, but not all are created equal. Here’s a rundown of her skins:
- SKT T1 Zyra: While this skin lacks flashy animations or particles, it’s a budget-friendly option.
- Wildfire Zyra: This one offers new animations and particles at a lower price point, but the color palette might not be to everyone’s taste.
- Crystal Rose Zyra: With beautiful roses and nice animations, this skin shines, but the character model leans too human for some tastes.
- Crime City Nightmare Zyra: This skin has an evil vibe, cool ult animation, and is a decent choice for those who prefer subtle changes to the original design.
- Haunted Zyra: For a spooky twist, this skin features ghouls, graves, and zombie-themed plants, making it a standout option despite some clunkiness.
- Dragon Sorceress Zyra: This skin, with its dragon-themed elements, boasts detailed designs and a menacing aura, making it a top-tier choice.
- Coven Zyra: If you want to feel like a regal queen, this skin offers a top-tier character model, stylized bird creatures, and a mysterious backing animation, making it the ultimate choice for Zyra enthusiasts.
Champion’s Tricks and Interesting Facts
- Zyra’s voice is brought to life by Karen Strassman, who also voices Cassiopeia, Fiora, and Shyvana.
- Zyra’s creation reimagined the theme of the canceled champion Gavid, which was later explored with Maokai.
- Zyra has three hidden passives: Bonus gold if she kills Karthus or Sion, movement speed boost for Maokai, and temporary growth in size due to Sunlight.
- Her dance pays homage to the cha-cha-cha.
- Seeds won’t spawn or reveal your location if you’re in a bush, making it a clever hiding tactic.
- When using abilities, cast Deadly Spines or Grasping Roots before Rampant Growth to prevent foes from destroying your seeds.
- Zyra’s burst damage potential can catch opponents off-guard, so consider ambushing enemies from unwarded bushes.
So there you have it, a comprehensive guide to Zyra, the botanical powerhouse of League of Legends. Whether you’re new to Zyra or a seasoned enthusiast, there’s always something new to discover about this captivating champion. So, grab your seeds, summon your plants, and get ready to dominate the Rift with Zyra!
FAQ
Who is Zyra in League of Legends?
Zyra is a champion in League of Legends, known for her unique blend of plant-based abilities and her role as a mage or support.
What are Zyra’s abilities and playstyle?
Zyra has a passive that spawns seeds, and her abilities interact with these seeds to summon plants for combat. She excels at dealing high damage, crowd control, and strategic positioning.
What are Zyra’s strengths and weaknesses?
Zyra is strong at dealing damage and controlling objectives but is vulnerable due to her squishy nature and lack of escape abilities. Falling behind can reduce her effectiveness.
What are the best items for Zyra in 2023?
Recommended items for Zyra include Spellthief’s Edge, Shard of True Ice, Sorcerer’s Shoes, Morellonomicon, and Liandry’s Anguish. These items enhance her damage and utility.
What are some tips and interesting facts about Zyra?
Tips include using abilities strategically with her passive, and interesting facts include her hidden passives and dance paying homage to the cha-cha-cha.