Zilean Review

Hey there, fellow gamers! Today, we’re diving into the world of League of Legends and exploring one of my all-time favorites, Zilean. Released in the gaming world on April 18, 2009, Zilean is a specialist champion who can dominate in the support and mid lanes. But why am I so eager to share my thoughts on this timeless champ? Well, because when you master him, Zilean has the potential to be an absolute game-changer.

Lore

Once a member of Icathia’s governing council, Zilean is a prodigious elemental mage with a thirst for mastering time itself. He used his powers to protect his people from the Void but ended up drifting through the past, present, and future. Now, he’s on a never-ending quest to save Runeterra from its inevitable destruction.

Zilean isn’t just a time-bending mage; he’s also a determined and caring individual. He’s got a heart of gold and is determined to help his fellow Icathians escape the time prison he accidentally trapped them in.

Zilean Abilities

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of Zilean’s abilities:

Passive – Time in a Bottle: Zilean stores time as Experience and can grant it to allies. When he has enough Experience to level up an ally, he can do so, receiving as much Experience as he gives.
Q – Time Bomb: Throws a bomb that sticks to units and detonates after 3 seconds, dealing area damage. If a Time Bomb is detonated early by another, it stuns enemies.
W – Rewind: Zilean can reduce the cooldowns of his other basic abilities, preparing for future confrontations.
E – Time Warp: Zilean bends time, decreasing enemy Move Speed or increasing ally Move Speed.
R – Chronoshift: Zilean places a protective time rune on an ally, teleporting them back in time if they take lethal damage.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Champion

Now, let’s talk about the ups and downs of playing Zilean:

Pros:

Very low pick/ban rate.
Never directly nerfed/buffed.
Underrated champ.
Best speed/slow buff in the game.
A master at protecting MVP allies.
Useful utility even when behind in gold.

Cons:

Extremely weak early game.
You have to rely on your teammates.
Vulnerable to burst damage without ult.
Takes time to master his kit.
Requires excellent positioning.
Long cooldowns and high early mana costs.

Best Items for Zilean

Alright, let’s gear up our Zilean for success:

Spellthief’s Edge: This item is a solid pick, providing AP, HP, and mana regeneration. Plus, it gives you a gold income boost if you’re actively damaging enemies in lane.

Relic Shield: When facing tough matchups, this defensive choice with bonus HP and safer gold income can be a lifesaver.

Ionian Boots of Lucidity: These boots offer 20 Ability Haste early in the game, along with summoner spell haste. Perfect for speeding up your Zilean plays.

Shurelya’s Battlesong: The ideal mythic item for Zilean, it synergizes perfectly with his kit, providing mobility and Ability Haste.

Anathema’s Chains: A fantastic legendary item, reducing damage taken from your target and decreasing their tenacity, complementing your stuns and slows.

Best Lanes and Roles for Champion

Now, let’s explore where Zilean truly shines:

Zilean is a versatile champion, and my preferred roles are mid and top. I’ve even dabbled with him in the jungle and had a blast. Playing as a support or even ADC alongside a fasting Senna can also be surprisingly effective.

Zilean Mid: This is where the real fun begins. Zilean’s wave management and tempo control are reminiscent of champions like Gangplank. His ability to provide utility through his time-based abilities makes him a strong mid-lane choice.
Zilean Top: Don’t underestimate Zilean in the top lane. He can handle tough matchups like Darius and Urgot. Staying safe under turret while controlling the wave and offering crowd control in team fights is key to your success.
Zilean Support: While it can be challenging to deal with early aggression, Zilean support can work well in specific situations, especially when paired with a premade ADC like Senna. It can be a fun and effective combination.

Champion Picks and Counter Picks

Alright, let’s talk strategy for a moment. Here’s a glimpse of Zilean’s matchups:

Zilean excels against champions like Braum and Swain but struggles against Vel’Koz and Heimerdinger. So, when you see those champs on the enemy team, it might be best to reconsider your Zilean pick.

Price of this Champion in 2023

Before we wrap things up, let’s talk about the price. In 2023, you can unlock Zilean for 1350 Blue Essence or 585 Riot Points.

My Feedback

In summary, Zilean is a champ with a unique skillset that offers flexibility in roles. Whether you’re dominating mid, top, or trying something unconventional, Zilean’s time manipulation and utility make him a fantastic choice. Success with Zilean depends on your skill and team composition, but his versatility makes him a “mad lad” worth trying out in various positions.

Best Guide for Zilean in 2023

Now, for those of you who want to dive deeper into mastering Zilean, I’ve got a fantastic guide for you. Check out this comprehensive guide for Zilean in 2023: Zilean Mid Guide.

Best Skins for this Zilean

Zilean’s skins offer a mix of style and flair. Here are some of my top picks:

Time Machine Zilean: A cool concept with a Back to the Future theme, though it could use a bit more pizzazz.
Groovy Zilean: Vibrant colors and clever details make this skin stand out, even if it lacks new animations.
Old Saint Zilean: Perfect for the holidays, this skin features Santa Zilean, but it could’ve used some unique animations.
Shurima Desert Zilean: This skin is a pleasant surprise, with fancy attire and a beautifully themed clock.
Sugar Rush Zilean: The newest addition, this skin turns Zilean into a lovable goofball, complete with muffin-themed abilities and zany sound effects.
Blood Moon Zilean: A must-have for Zilean mains, it updates his design and abilities for a cleaner and more distinct look and feel.

Champion’s Tricks and Interesting Facts

Lastly, let’s wrap things up with some cool Zilean trivia:

The original icon for Time Bomb featured a mirrored soldier from Jax’s Grandmaster’s Might icon.
Zilean is one of four champions with a single damaging ability, alongside Bard, Taric, and Tryndamere.
Time Bomb is the only in-game ability that scales non-linearly per rank.
Time in a Bottle references Jim Croce’s eponymous song.
When using your Passive, ensure you’re in a safe position to level someone up, especially during the laning phase.

So there you have it, folks! Zilean is a timeless champ with loads of potential, and mastering him can be incredibly rewarding. Give him a try in various roles, experiment with skins, and become a true time wizard on the Rift. Happy gaming!

FAQ

Who is Zilean in League of Legends?

Zilean is a versatile champion with time-manipulating abilities, released in 2009. He can be played in roles like mid, top, support, and even jungle.

What are Zilean’s key abilities?

Zilean’s abilities include Time Bomb (Q), Rewind (W), Time Warp (E), and Chronoshift (R). His passive, Time in a Bottle, allows him to store and grant experience to allies.

What are the pros and cons of playing Zilean?

Pros: Low pick/ban rate, utility, and protection for allies.
Cons: Weak early game, reliance on teammates, vulnerability to burst damage, and a learning curve.

What are the best items for Zilean in 2023?

Recommended items include Spellthief’s Edge or Relic Shield, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Shurelya’s Battlesong (Mythic), and Anathema’s Chains (Legendary).

Where does Zilean excel and struggle in terms of matchups?

Zilean excels against champions like Braum and Swain but struggles against Vel’Koz and Heimerdinger. Consider matchups when picking Zilean in your games.