Building Zyra

I'm wondering, those who played Zyra out there, I strongly believe that Zyra is still good after her huge nerf, the only drawback is her Move Speed.

How do you guys actually play her Mid Lane ?
Do you max out Deadly Bloom --> Grasping Roots and then only Rampant Growth at the very end ?

Perhaps, now I'm beginning to understand what they meant by abusing Zyra, I believe her strong team presence is attributed to her W.

However, I do not see her Stranglethorns being useful, I don't like the ult, it relies on heavy positioning and for the knock up to happen, you need to have your vines fully lashed out, and this is hard since most enemies would have escape the hit range by then.

Her Rise of the Thorns isn't that impressive either, correct me if I'm wrong, but it still isn't responsive, there's a delay in between and you can't reverse the cast if you've set it to fire at a designated direction.

Share with me your thoughts.
For Zyra to effectively kill early, mid game.
Do you guys max out Q and E for full burst damages, or you prioritize W and rely on teammates.

IMO, Zyra can really do well despite feeding, she can make a comeback.
My scores often up to be the same, 9/9, 15/15.
But her presence just isn't felt if she doesn't get her plant turrets to join in the fray I believe..

For items
I go Sorcerer's Shoes --> Rod of Ages --> Zhonya's Hourglass/ Rylai's Crystal Scepter/ Rabadon's Deathcap

I haven't played a game to the point where a 6th item is needed for Zyra.
Most of my build just stops there, but I believe Abyssal Scepter or Void Staff to be a good choice.
Standard AP item build.
With my playstyle, I feel that RoA is much needed, because I am so used to playing Ahri, I tend to linger around in clashes more longer than I really need to. So I get RoA.

This guide should explain more than enough information :P

http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/zyra-build-guide-the-queen-of-thorns-in-depth-231902

^ That guide maxes out Deadly Bloom and Grasping Roots simultaneously which I would never do.

Max Deadly Bloom at level 9, Grasping Roots at 13 and finally Rampant Growth at 18. The only reason you'd max out W earlier is if you want more CDR for some reason, but honestly I think a combination of blue buff and Deathfire Grasp (which I personally buy on her earlier than in the guide linked by Joxuu) is all you'll ever need.

I think Rod of Ages is a bad item on Zyra. I like the fact it gives some health and I like the passive since she has no sustain and Will of the Ancients is also not a great item on her (though not necessarily bad either, I must add), but the mana and mana regen from the passive are a huuuuge waste imo. I start off with 2 Doran's Rings and - provided I do get blue buff from my jungler every now and then - that's all I ever need in terms of mana regen. I've even stopped using Greater Seal of Scaling Mana Regeneration/ Greater Seal of Replenishment and switched to Greater Seal of Vitality just because of the fact I barely ever run oom on her and because her base health is one of the lowest in game.

Obviously Zyra is vulnerable to assassins and it's dangerous for her to stay in a fight longer than needed, but she has good range on her spells so with good positioning she should be able to deal a lot of damage without being bursted down instantly.


My build: 2x Doran's Ring -> Kage's Lucky Pick -> Sorcerer's Shoes -> Rabadon's Deathcap -> Deathfire Grasp -> Rylai's Crystal Scepter/ Zhonya's Hourglass/ Void Staff (really depends on how hard you're being focused and the amount of gapclosers they have; The health and slows from Rylai's can be good enough to keep an Udyr away from you, while going for Zhonya's might be better against an Akali, for instance)

Shouldnt this belong into Theory-Crafting? I have nothing to add to the maintheme though :p

I've read that guide, but I personally don't really follow it, because it isn't as in-depth as it seems to me.

Rod of Ages boils down to personal playstyle I must say.
With the way I play her, I tend to linger around clashes for a longer itme.
Thus, 2.7k of hp is my saving grace.
Honestly, I don't think Zyra abuses the effects from Rylai as well as Ahri.

I for one, though, have detested RoA for a long time. There are a very few champions who I'd take RoA with.

There is nothing you waste gold on if you build a Rylai's, while the mana and mana regen from Roa is a waste imo. Therefore, Rylai's Crystal Scepter > Rod of Ages

Rylai's fits into Zyra's kit more. She's a champion with snares and long range spells. She really doesn't need the things from RoA because she should be positioned farther back in the fight. She shouldn't be taking much damage at all anyways.