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Spells:
Ghost
Smite
Ability Order
Determination (PASSIVE)
Xin Zhao Passive Ability
Introduction
6x
Greater Mark of Attack Speed
3x Greater Mark of Desolation
9x
Greater Seal of Armor
3x
Greater Glyph of Magic Resist
6x
Greater Glyph of Scaling Magic Resist
3x Greater Quintessence of Desolation
15 armor pen -Armor penetration runes aid in Xin's early game damage and also add to the other flat armor pen I have in my build.
10% attack speed -Attack speed runes allow Xin's passive
Challenge to proc more often and also increase his overall damage output.
13 armor - Armor runes offer succor to Xin's jungle by reducing the incoming damage.
4.5 flat magic resist and 16 magic resist at 18 - This allows for more sustainability by a making you a little more resilient to pesky casters poking you.

3x Greater Mark of Desolation
9x

3x

6x

3x Greater Quintessence of Desolation
15 armor pen -Armor penetration runes aid in Xin's early game damage and also add to the other flat armor pen I have in my build.
10% attack speed -Attack speed runes allow Xin's passive

13 armor - Armor runes offer succor to Xin's jungle by reducing the incoming damage.
4.5 flat magic resist and 16 magic resist at 18 - This allows for more sustainability by a making you a little more resilient to pesky casters poking you.
With them "buffing" the jungle exp you don't need as much increased exp gain, but you still need some. They failed to make it camps exp the same as with the previous 4% gain. With this said I went 15-1-14 picking up improved ghost and smite along with the increased jungle buff duration and a small exp boost.
Sequence
Q-W-W-E-E-R-E-E-E-W-R-W-W-Q-Q-R-Q-Q
If you prefer burst over sustainability max "Q" before "W".
Priority
Crescent Sweep><
Audacious Charge><
Battle Cry><
Three Talon Strike
Uses
Three Talon Strike
+ knock up
+ burst damage
+ easier to last hit
Battle Cry
+ cooldown reduction
+ attack speed
Audacious Charge
+ slow
+ aoe damage
+ initiation
Crescent Sweep
+ massive aoe damage
+ stat increase
Audacious Charge VS.
Three Talon Strike
The main reason people use Xin's "Q" is for the knock up; this can still be achieved with only one rank into this skill. The second reason is the increased burst damage; which is, at max level, 75 additional damage per auto attack for three attacks, totaling to 225 damage.
The main reason people use Xin's "E" is the slow; which the slow percentage is increased by 100% from ranks one through five(20-40%). The second use is initiation; which is self-explanatory.
Going back to burst damage
Three Talon Strike= 225 additional damage (physical damage)
Audacious Charge = 230 additional damage (magic damage)
Granted TTS may be able to deliver more damage with your attack damage+armor pen(over three attacks). The AC damage is instant and the improved slow will actually let you get your full combo off plus addional auto attacks. The slow, cooldown, and damage are all improved by ranking AC; only the damage increases by ranking TTS.
Q-W-W-E-E-R-E-E-E-W-R-W-W-Q-Q-R-Q-Q
If you prefer burst over sustainability max "Q" before "W".
Priority




Uses

+ knock up
+ burst damage
+ easier to last hit

+ cooldown reduction
+ attack speed

+ slow
+ aoe damage
+ initiation

+ massive aoe damage
+ stat increase


The main reason people use Xin's "Q" is for the knock up; this can still be achieved with only one rank into this skill. The second reason is the increased burst damage; which is, at max level, 75 additional damage per auto attack for three attacks, totaling to 225 damage.
The main reason people use Xin's "E" is the slow; which the slow percentage is increased by 100% from ranks one through five(20-40%). The second use is initiation; which is self-explanatory.
Going back to burst damage


Granted TTS may be able to deliver more damage with your attack damage+armor pen(over three attacks). The AC damage is instant and the improved slow will actually let you get your full combo off plus addional auto attacks. The slow, cooldown, and damage are all improved by ranking AC; only the damage increases by ranking TTS.
Pros
-Great damage(despite the last patch)
-His passive
Challenge grant sustainability in both lane and jungle.
-Aoe slow
-Knock up
-% damage ultimate
-Ultimate also makes him more tanky
-Gap closer with
Audacious Charge
-Decent base health pool and movement speed.
-Low cooldowns, with
Battle Cry
-Low mana costs
Cons
-No real way of escaping
-No efficient way to farm other then last hitting with auto attacks, ult can be used, but you really shouldn't waste your ult on creeps.
-Focused often, public enemy #1
-Great damage(despite the last patch)
-His passive

-Aoe slow
-Knock up
-% damage ultimate
-Ultimate also makes him more tanky
-Gap closer with

-Decent base health pool and movement speed.
-Low cooldowns, with

-Low mana costs
Cons
-No real way of escaping
-No efficient way to farm other then last hitting with auto attacks, ult can be used, but you really shouldn't waste your ult on creeps.
-Focused often, public enemy #1














The last item can really be whatever you want.

Every game is different and any good player knows you have to be flexible with your build. These optional items will help you choose appropriate substitutes for the build above; to counter certain champions/build of the other team.
Sunfire Aegis- This is a good item and the only reason it is not in my build above is because the active on
Randuin's Omen is simply amazing. But if you are one that often forgets to use said active the sunfire cape is for you.
Frozen Heart- Another great defensive item, I would suggest this if the other team has 2 or more attack speed type champions. Grants the user 99 armor, the second highest amount achievable with one item. The only downside to this items is the persistent aura may give away potential ganks.
Madred's Bloodrazor- By far one of the best dps items in the game, if you are facing off against high health opponents then you should incorporate this item into your build.
Youmuu's Ghostblade - This not only offers cdr, armor pen, and attack damage. It offers an awe inspiring active the grants the caster 20% movement speed and 50% attack speed for 4 seconds, additional time may be awarded if the caster continues to attack for the duration, up to 8 seconds.
Banshee's Veil- One of the most widely used defensive items in the league. As it should be, it grants mana, health, magic resist, and a nice little passive that blocks 1 negative spell every 45 seconds. Even after the nerfs, it is still the most bought magic resist item in the game.
Quicksilver Sash- the most underrated, underused, item in the game and I have no clue why. Its like the old
Cleanse.. The almighty old cleanse. It removes ALL debuffs. i.e.
Mordekaiser's
Children of the Grave,
Malzahar's
Nether Grasp,
Warwick's
Infinite Duress, and the dreaded summoner spell
Ignite. All of these can no longer be removed by
Cleanse and therefore
Cleanse has fallen into the don't touch until they rebuff it category. With that said, I hope more people will start using the
Quicksilver Sash.
Zeke's Harbinger- Great team asset item. Also if you feel like you need lifesteal as
Xin Zhao this would be the item to best benefit from my current build. Attack speed, lifesteal, and an armor debuff. But like
Frozen Heart,
Zeke's Harbinger can give away ganks with its aura, therefore the optional category.
Bloodthirster- If you feel you need lifsteal/more damage.
Wit's End- A decent overall item that includes magic resist, attack speed, and and 42 damage on hit effect.(Imo the old wit's end was better)
Hexdrinker- Another good item that offers magic resist and damage, this item also includes a pretty nice passive that would block lethal magic damage. Nice for those pesky casters.































(
Xin Zhao learned
Three Talon Strike!)
1- Double Golems
"A slow attacking monster that deals large amounts of damage and has a large amount of health".
Right after your first attack on one of the golems use
Three Talon Strike, this will reset your auto attack thus dealing more damage faster. Use
Smite directly after. (return here after killing the ancient golem before attempting the lizard elder)
(
Xin Zhao grew to level 2!
Xin Zhao learned
Battle Cry!)
2- Wraiths
"A fragile monster that takes less damage from physical attacks and steals life each time it strikes". The Wraith lifesteal is fairly low, but it makes it harder to kill in the early to midgame.
Start with the large wraith frist. Auto attack then TTS and as soon as TTS goes on cooldown activate
Battle Cry, then finish off the other wraiths with auto atacks and TTS.
3- Wolves
"A fast monster with an increased chance to critically strike its target". It can be found in groups of 2 with a giant wolf.
Same as with the wraiths(target the large one first then finish off the others).
(
Xin Zhao grew to level 3!
Xin Zhao learned
Battle Cry!)
4- Ancient Golem(blue buff)
"A tough monster that attacks with slow but punishing blows. Slaying this foe greatly increases mana regeneration and reduces cooldowns."
Auto attack then TTS and as soon as TTS goes on cooldown activate
Battle Cry. Use TTS whenever its off cooldown. When the Ancient Golem is down to roughly 500 health maybe a little lower use
Smite to finish it off then just aa the lesser creeps.
After you finished golem gank if there is an opportunity. If not continue your jungle. Return to the double golems and kill them, do not use
Smite.
(
Xin Zhao grew to level 4! Xin Zhao learned
Audacious Charge!)
5- Elder Lizard(red buff)
"A melee monster with large amounts of health. Killing this foe grants a slowing attack that deals damage over time."
Kill the Elder Lizard the same way you killed the Ancient Golem. Once you have red buff gank, only jungle more if you need to regain some lost health, other than that dont stop ganking until red is gone.
6- Dragon
"A powerful and dangerous monster who can blow fire on its enemies causing damage over time and slowing attack speed. Slaying this foe grants global gold to your team".
Once you have your
Wriggle's Lantern you can solo dragon(just because you can doesn't mean you should). Dragon should be a joint effort by bottom lane and yourself. Mid often comes to help by actually damaging dragon or standing as a sentry.
7- Baron Nashor
"This is a very powerful hostile monster, approach with caution! Killing this monster will yield great monetary and magical rewards to the team
Like dragon, Baron Nashor should be a joint effort of at least 4 members of your team. And only attempt Baron if you're sure the other team will not stop/interfere with your endeavors.
Green Dots- Good ward spots
Pretty self-explanatory, these ward spots will grant you vision to most of the map.
1-2-3-4-1-5-2-3- then even though you can solo, you should pretty much always kill dragon with your team, unless there is no present threat- and always use your team to kill baron also, because even though you could possibly kill baron on your own the power of your team will get it done much faster and safer.


1- Double Golems
"A slow attacking monster that deals large amounts of damage and has a large amount of health".
Right after your first attack on one of the golems use


(



2- Wraiths
"A fragile monster that takes less damage from physical attacks and steals life each time it strikes". The Wraith lifesteal is fairly low, but it makes it harder to kill in the early to midgame.
Start with the large wraith frist. Auto attack then TTS and as soon as TTS goes on cooldown activate

3- Wolves
"A fast monster with an increased chance to critically strike its target". It can be found in groups of 2 with a giant wolf.
Same as with the wraiths(target the large one first then finish off the others).
(



4- Ancient Golem(blue buff)
"A tough monster that attacks with slow but punishing blows. Slaying this foe greatly increases mana regeneration and reduces cooldowns."
Auto attack then TTS and as soon as TTS goes on cooldown activate


After you finished golem gank if there is an opportunity. If not continue your jungle. Return to the double golems and kill them, do not use

(


5- Elder Lizard(red buff)
"A melee monster with large amounts of health. Killing this foe grants a slowing attack that deals damage over time."
Kill the Elder Lizard the same way you killed the Ancient Golem. Once you have red buff gank, only jungle more if you need to regain some lost health, other than that dont stop ganking until red is gone.
6- Dragon
"A powerful and dangerous monster who can blow fire on its enemies causing damage over time and slowing attack speed. Slaying this foe grants global gold to your team".
Once you have your

7- Baron Nashor
"This is a very powerful hostile monster, approach with caution! Killing this monster will yield great monetary and magical rewards to the team
Like dragon, Baron Nashor should be a joint effort of at least 4 members of your team. And only attempt Baron if you're sure the other team will not stop/interfere with your endeavors.
Green Dots- Good ward spots
Pretty self-explanatory, these ward spots will grant you vision to most of the map.
1-2-3-4-1-5-2-3- then even though you can solo, you should pretty much always kill dragon with your team, unless there is no present threat- and always use your team to kill baron also, because even though you could possibly kill baron on your own the power of your team will get it done much faster and safer.
The most important part of jungling is to gank, so much to the point that your opponents are afraid to come from behind their tower. Ganking not only legitimizes the existence/need of a jungler, but is a great way for your team to out level your enemies and often have the edge of surprise.
While ganking communicate with your team(focus the squishies with the least amount of escape options). Also if your initial gank has failed don't be discouraged, leave then come back around for a second try.
This is a short video displaying a few ganks from my last game.
As you saw I attempt to gank as soon as level 3, this works most of the time as long as your
Ghost is off cooldown. If no ganking opportunities present themselves return to your jungle. After blue return to the double golems, then pick up red buff. Assess you ganking opportunities, now go gank.
While ganking communicate with your team(focus the squishies with the least amount of escape options). Also if your initial gank has failed don't be discouraged, leave then come back around for a second try.
This is a short video displaying a few ganks from my last game.
As you saw I attempt to gank as soon as level 3, this works most of the time as long as your

In conclusion,
Xin Zhao is a very fun and powerful champion to play. I would recommend all players to try him at least once. I know this is a short guide but I will be adding more as my Xin Zhao experience increases, and the more feedback I get from the community. Criticism is always welcome, as long as its constructive. I really hope this has helped and that you enjoyed it.
Thank you,
-Hargis2010

Thank you,
-Hargis2010
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