Hello everybody, and welcome to my guide to playing as AP Xin Zhao. This will not be a set in stone cookie cut build guide, and will just demonstrate what actions you should focus towards while playing as Xin Zhao. So without further delay, lets begin!

At first glance, AP Xin Zhao seems absolutely ******ed, in every aspect of the word. Its right up their with trolling as AD Soraka or Jungle Singed, but it actually is viable in some (most) cases. Let me explain why. While obviously his Q and R scale off of AD (Bummer) his W and E both scale off of AP. The reason this is amazing for you is that his E and W are all he needs.

Pros
- High Nuke Damage
- Tanky
- Trolly
- Just plain awesome
- Can basically anti-mage middle
- Kills squishies
- Doesn't Die Easy
- Fun as hell
Cons
- Is Asian
- R becomes semi-worthless (will explain later)
- Team will normally quit before the match starts because they don't trust you.
- Gets KS'd a lot
- Isn't viable against all teams

The items above are not set in stone. They are just recommended.
- Why do you build a Hextech Revolver but no Gunblade?
The Hextech Revolver is (IMO) more for some early lane sustain then actually a final item.

The reason I build what I build is simple. When you dive on people with your E, it slows them. Then by the time it wears off you knock them up with your Q, and that slows them (Lol)
These items give you moderate ap damage while still keeping your basic attacks viable and being tanky enough to survive.
Lich Bane: I think it goes without saying this is the best item to have on AP casters that have good melee attacks. This is especially good on Xin paired with his passive W and his Q.

Rylais Crystal Scepter: This also is amazing on Xin Zhao. WHen you E or R or anything someone it slows them, it gives you decent AP, and HP to boot. I would consider this essential.

Frozen Heart: Optional I guess, but still great nontheless, when your slow from Rylais wears off you can just smack them and slow them again, while still getting plenty of HP from this item.

Phantom Dancer: Optional, this is mainly great in my opinion for your passive W, since if you hit faster you heal faster.

Rabadons Death Cap: Really? REALLY? If you need to know why to buy this, gtfo.

Warmogs: Previous statement restated.^

Xin Zhao is an amazing counter middle lane to most champions, save a few (I haven't encounter any as of yet though).

A few tips to keep in mind is you can be WAY more aggressive than you'd expect once you hit level 4. Just jump on them with E, and then press W and Q and just wail on peoples. You can basically wound them back to the turret, then when they get bold from being close to their side, just E onto one of the creeps and fly away like a majestic Eagle flying through the sky.

Make sure you WARD so you don't get ganked!

Mid Game
JUST GO AROUND AND GANK LIKE THE PLAYER YOU ARE.
Lat Game
Don't die since you have no hp. No, I'm not advising you to not die, I'm telling you. Late game is don't die phase. You now have too much of everything. You are a beast. Deal with it.

In all seriousness though, you should initiate with E, QW weak players while R'ing everyone else away, then flashing and escaping back around to your team. Have fun being awesome!