Zed is an assassin played mid lane and is also able to be played top lane, it is very simple to get started. So i will help you and show you what to do and what is to be expected.

This is the second guide i've done so i present to you Zed on top lane.(and only top)

This will be a short guide, hopefully it will be useful to you, It will briefly explain how to use the runes , items and abilities.

And this is an off-meta build so your enemy might not be prepared to fight against you.

(As i've said in my previous guide that if there is any spelling error or mistake i will try and fix it)

• Runes
• Skill Sequence
• Items
• Pros / Cons
• Summoner Spells
• Summary

This is the most optimal Rune. You can do a large amount of damage to a single target. It will work against all types of enemies including Tanks Other runes like Conqueror will reduce your DPS significantly.


As stated before any other rune(s) will reduce your effective dps. But you can take Conqueror Just to compare between Lethal Tempo so you can see the differences.


This has many uses, one of them is tower diving.
If you were to try and attack someone in a 1v5 situation if you kill them you will have a high chance of surviving.


Increases your chances of winning in an extended fight and in a teamfight this can help you get a penta very easily. Each kill returns some energy , and no longer increases your maximum energy increases. So You will not be able to cast an extra Shadow Slash

+Focus: DPS +Bonus attack speed, for extra damage item, used as triforce substitute

+Focus: Fluidity +Bonus Tenacity against stuns/ blinds

+Focus: Survival +Bonus lifesteal with lifesteal items

The only reason to take this is it will increase the damage of Death Mark on low health enemy


Only against tanks, useful VS Cho'Gath


When used with Legend: Tenacity very effective against champs like Teemo and Evelynn
Will still give you Tenacity even without Legend: Tenacity.


Only use against high damage champs like: Garen or Sett.
But it can still be used against any matchup.


When you kill your laner you can get tower plates quickly, get ahead in gold. Also useful because you can end the game in less than 25 mins on top lane alone.

Passive

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• Used to last hit minions with auto attacks
• Deal bonus magic damage to enemies that are low health

Razor Shuriken

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• Do not rely on this spell for damage.(I made this build specifically under the assumption that you can't hit q, so you don't need it)
  • But can be used at your own discretion
• Use this to remove spell shields like: Shroud of Darkness, Edge of Night, Way of the Wanderer and so on.

Living Shadow

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• Together with your Shadow Slash is your main form of engagement or poke
• Max W second
• Gap closer
• You cannot fight Ranged champs without this ability
• You can slow anyone that is in your Living Shadow's range
• You can get in and be escape almost any fight with max rank W

Shadow Slash

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• Together with your Living Shadow is your main form of engagement or poke
• Makes you into a fighter
• Won't interrupt your auto attacks
• You can use your Shadow Slash twice after level 4 or more than twice within 5 seconds higher levels after(with ability haste).
• Do not use Shadow Slash after auto attacks while chasing or it will miss.

Death Mark

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• You can use this to engage the enemy first, and gap close with your Living Shadow if the target Flashes
• Can be used to dodge some abilities
• Can one shot any target after all core items(Does not apply to tanks )

Essential Items

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Berserker's Greaves

• First Item
• Gives you a decent amount of attack speed early game.
• You will be able to farm under tower more easily

Navori Quickblades

• Second Item
• Replaces old Essence Reaver
• Gives Ability Haste. Equivalent to +/-22% Cdr

Phantom Dancer

• Third Item
• Replaces Statikk Shiv
  • You can also use Rapid Firecannon but not recommended
• New Phantom Dancer increases your DPS
• Helps keep up with fleeing target
• Finesse all adc's including Aphelios

Ravenous Hydra

• For additional Ability Haste.
• Lifesteal on your Shadow Slash and auto attacks

Damage Items

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Trinity Force

• Nothing special serves only to do damage everytime you Shadow Slash.
  • The only bonus is that it gives bonus attack speed
  • ability haste that it gives is not significant
• Usually the last item

Infinity Edge

• Increases critical Strike Damage and Critical Strike chance.
• Allows you to one shot any target that has low armor
• You can 1v1 strong tanks(Requires all core items)
  
  

  Final Item

  ---

  
  Final item is situation, so usually you will build based on what you need. Do you need Attack speed or more Critical Chance or Ability Haste.
  
  By this time if you are not artificially extending the game then you will be able to get one.

Pros:

Destroy any carry.
Can end the game solo in less than 25 minutes
Surprise effect.
Burst damage
When you're ahead you can snowball easy
Dodge any gank with your W.

Cons:

If behind then difficult to get back in the game.
Loses against certain match ups
medium-low damage early game

Flash

You use flash to escape or extend your gap closing capabilities

Ghost

• When your laner trades with you and backs out ghost helps you keep up the chase, usually results in you getting a kill.
• Helps you match the fastest champs like: Master Yi, Hecarim, Darius with Ghost
• Useful escape tool

This is my Second guide, Thank you for having a look, hopefully it's just another way of playing zed. If you like it then I'm glad and if it helped you that's wonderful.

Good luck on the rift.

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