Table of contents
Time is On Your Side
As officially announced by Riot Games, Zilean, the Chronokeeper, arrived on the Rift on June 13th, ready to bend time to his will and alter the fate of any match. As a unique Mage/Support, Zilean’s ability to control the battlefield and literally bring teammates back from the dead gives him the potential to be a key playmaker on any team. But how do you harness this incredible power? This ultimate guide will cover everything you need to know to master Zilean.
Abilities Breakdown: Clocking In for a Win
A deep understanding of Zilean’s kit is the first step toward mastering him.
- Ability 1 – Time Bomb (Q):
- What it does: Zilean tosses a bomb that sticks to the first unit it touches (enemy or ally). After 3 seconds, it detonates, dealing AoE (Area of Effect) magic damage to all nearby enemies.
- Pro Tip: This is his bread-and-butter. If you land a second bomb on a target that already has one, the first bomb detonates instantly, stunning all enemies in the blast radius for 1.5 seconds. Mastering the Q > W > Q combo is the most critical skill for any Zilean player.
- Ability 2 – Rewind (W):
- What it does: Using this ability reduces the cooldowns of Zilean’s other basic abilities (Time Bomb and Time Warp).
- Pro Tip: Rewind is the engine of Zilean’s entire kit. It enables the double-bomb stun combo and allows you to keep a permanent speed boost on an ally. Be mindful of its mana cost, as spamming it will drain your resources quickly.
- Ability 3 – Time Warp (E):
- What it does: Zilean manipulates time around a target champion. If cast on an enemy, it applies a powerful slow. If cast on an ally, it provides a massive haste (movement speed boost).
- Pro Tip: This is one of the most versatile utility spells in the game. Use it to set up ganks, peel for your ADC, help your assassin engage, or escape from danger. Its flexibility is immense.
- Ultimate – Chronoshift (R):
- What it does: Zilean places a protective rune on himself or an allied champion. If that champion takes lethal damage while the rune is active, they are placed in stasis for a few seconds and then revived with a portion of their health.
- Pro Tip: This is Zilean’s signature, game-changing ability. Timing is everything. Cast it too early, and the enemy will simply wait it out. Cast it too late, and it’s useless. A well-timed Chronoshift can completely negate an enemy’s all-in and turn a losing fight into a victory.
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Strengths:
- High Poke Damage: His double-bomb combo hurts, especially in the early game.
- Exceptional Crowd Control: The AoE stun is one of the best CC abilities in the game.
- Incredible Utility: The massive speed-up/slow and the revive are unparalleled.
- Passive XP Generation: His passive helps him and his lane partner level up faster.
- Weaknesses:
- Extremely Squishy: Zilean has low health and armor, making him an easy target.
- Skillshot Reliant: Missing your bombs makes you significantly less effective.
- High Mana Consumption: He is very mana-hungry, especially in the early stages.
- Vulnerable to Hard Engage: Champions that can jump on him and lock him down can kill him before he can react.
Best Item Builds for Zilean in Wild Rift
Your build should focus on Ability Power (AP), Ability Haste, and Mana.
- Core Items:
- Luden’s Echo: Provides the burst damage, mana, and ability haste he desperately needs.
- Ionian Boots of Lucidity: More Ability Haste is always the right choice for Zilean.
- Staff of Flowing Water: Since his Time Warp (E) applies a buff, this item gives both you and your ally extra AP and Haste, making it incredibly efficient.
- Situational Items:
- Morellonomicon: A must-buy against teams with significant healing (e.g., Soraka, Yuumi, Dr. Mundo).
- Void Staff: Essential if the enemy team starts building a lot of magic resistance.
- Zhonya’s Hourglass: A crucial defensive item to save yourself from assassins like Zed or Fizz.
Synergies and Counters
- Perfect Synergies:
- Assassins & Divers (e.g., Yasuo, Irelia, Kayn): Zilean turns these aggressive champions into unstoppable forces. Speed them in with Time Warp, and if they get focused down, your Chronoshift gives them a second life to clean up the fight.
- Tough Counters:
- Long-Range Mages (e.g., Lux, Ziggs): They can poke Zilean from a safe distance where he can’t reliably land his bombs.
- Hyper-Mobile Champions (e.g., Fizz, Zed, Akali): Their dashes and blinks make it incredibly difficult to land the double-bomb combo.
- Hard-Engage Supports (e.g., Leona, Nautilus, Alistar): They can lock Zilean down and burst him before he has a chance to use his ultimate on himself or an ally.
To truly stand out on the battlefields of Wild Rift and add the latest champions and skins to your collection, having Wild Cores is your ultimate advantage. If you’re looking for the fastest and most secure way to top up your account, Item4Gamer is your best choice. Imagine having your Wild Cores delivered instantly to your account in just minutes, all at an exceptionally low price! Item4Gamer makes this flawless experience possible, guaranteeing complete account security through a 100% legitimate and safe process. Don’t wait any longer. Equip your favorite champion with an epic new skin today and dominate the Rift with fresh power and style, leaving your rivals in your wake!
Conclusion
Zilean is by no means an easy champion to pick up, but the time you invest in mastering him will pay off tenfold. Your ability to control the tempo of a fight, land crucial stuns, and cheat death itself can single-handedly turn the tide of even the most difficult matches. Now get on the Rift, take control of time, and secure victory for your team!
