Xin Zhao Build Guide by SeMike

To describe Xin Zhao's use and reasoning behind this pick, let me tell you about an actual history thing that has happened in League of Legends.
In many regions, especially South Korea (LCK region), players got used to the "OPEN MID" opt-out strategy, a quick way to finish the game if enemy got ahead a lot in the early game and the game does not look winnable anymore.
Because of this trend, game length has decreased a lot, and early game picks were suddenly a lot stronger. With this, comes Xin Zhao into the game. Champion known to be stronmg purely in the early game and falling off later on especially if you do not get ahead early on. This pick is since then oftenly picked, especially in KR region for that reason, dominating the game heavily early on and making enemy "open-mid" or "surrender at 15".

Xin Zhao's early game is not much of a science. You are trying to gank the weakest opponent laners as much as possible, and fight enemy jungler 1v1 if the matchup allows you as well. Beside a very few champions, such as Olaf, you can always kill the opponent 1v1.
Xin has insanely strong 2v2 and 3v3s, and also counter gank potential. Basically you wanna fight enemy champions as much as possible, which is great especially in the current meta when the opposite->farming junglers do not work as well, because of the lack of scaling XP in the jungle.

Very powerful keystone, great for high-tempo early game ganking, which is what Xin Zhao profits from the most, and is really the reason why you go for this pick, therefore, an amazing choice. This also makes XinZhao being able to EQ an target and basically instantly knock him up, with the massive attack speed that Hail of Blades gives you. Because of the reason behind the pick itself, this is the rune you will want to go for most often.

If you have already picked Xin Zhao in the draft and enemy suddenly picked many tanky champions, champions who will lead into extended length of fights or just not very gankable laners, you might wanna go for Conqueror. It decreases your early game strength a little bit but massively boosts your scale and mid-game/late-game fight power. With this keystone, you can also build a little more tanky as this will give you the attack damage required in extended fights anyway as well as some extra sustain.

Default jungle item enchantment

If you are ahead in the game or just even but need to be a strong damage dealer, this is a great 2nd item.

If you want some extra tankiness with armor and chase down enemy carry potential, good option to go for. This is actually a very casual choice for Xin Zhao as 3rd item against heavy AD teamcomps.

Ideal 3rd item if you want to keep building in the damage-bruiser path. If there are either heavy ad or heavy AP opponents, go for smh else (Maw, Randuin or GA) Do not combine with Maw! (same passiv)

Strong replacement for Sterak's Gage if enemy has a ton of magic damage. However, will leave you squishy in terms of HP, so you might only wanna go for Hexdrinker, build some HP and then finish this item later. Do not combine with Sterak!! (same passive)

Very strong item, even as 2nd choice, but 3rd and later ideally, if enemy has a lot of physical damage and critical dmg dealers.

If enemy has a ton of magic damage with repetitive abilities (Cass E, Teemo E/R, Rumble etc.) you can go for this item.

If you already have Adaptive Helm or do not want to go for Adaptive Helm at all, you can go for Spirit Visage instead. You can also just go for this item if you have a lot of healing from your team (Janna or Soraka support etc.)

Possible alternative if you have already built cinderhulk and you are playing full tank.

If you built a few tanky items and you are looking for last item, you can build titanic hydra. Gains a big chunk of damage to your all in combo and some defensive stats. However, that still does not make it the usual best optional choice for your build.

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