The first new Champion of 2022 is Zeri, a fast-paced bottom laner with a highly mobile playstyle. Zeri players have a very unique set of abilities, challenging many of the norms League of Legends Champions abide by. Though perhaps an intimidating Champion when initially compared to her ADC counterparts, Zeri’s high octane skill set grants her an incredibly high skill ceiling.
These are the gameplay tips and builds that can help you master Zeri and maximize her electrifying kit.
Maximize Auto Attacks
One of the most unique aspects of Zeri’s kit are her auto attacks. In lieu of a traditional auto attack, the Champion’s Q (Burst Fire) acts as an alternative. The ability fires a barrage of seven rounds each, damaging the first enemy it hits, and has an incredibly low cooldown time and no mana cost. Moving and casting burst fire charges her actual auto attack.
A maxed out auto attack can deal empowered damage and apply a slow effect to targets. In order to truly maximize your auto attacks, your primary form of attack should be your Q, saving the true auto attack for opportune moments. Zeri’s E (Spark Surge) can minimally improve her burst fire ability. Giving the player a burst of movement forward, burst fire can then pierce through opponent and hit multiple targets, quickly empowering your auto.
Zeri’s Charge Meter – How to keep voltage
Alongside mana, Zeri has a ‘charge meter’ that players should consistently watch. Auto attacks and Zeri’s W (Ultrashock Laser) are the primary charge drainers. Moving around the map with slowly build back up charge, however some abilities can speed up the process.
Spark Surge can either provide a short burst of movement or can be used help navigate over terrain at any length. This gives Zeri the unique ability to quickly glide around the map. Along with providing an unprecedented amount of movement in ADCs, Spark Surge also builds charge with long distances providing more voltage.
Zeri’s passive Living Battery has two primary traits. First, damaging shielded opponents grants Zeri some shielding herself. Second, any shielding Zeri gains from allies grants her a burst of movement speed, also a quick way to build up charge to be used by abilities. In order to maxmize your effectiveness in either 2v2s or in late game team fights, you’ll need a full charge bar. Using these small albeit meaningful tricks will help ensure that you’ll be able to use your abilities when it matters the most.
Lightning Crash – When to use it
Zeri’s R (Lightning Crash) is a multi-faceted ultimate. The ability initially unleashed an area of effect lightning damage ability, though this is rather minimal when compared to the ultimate’s other abilities. Following the first burst of damage, attacks gain a chain lightning effect and grant stacks of ‘Overcharge.’
This stacking buff drastically increases attack speed, on-hit damage, and movement speed. Clearly, this ability is best utilized in team fight scenarios where the initial burst can damage down enemies and the follow up multi-target damage to land the finishing blows.
Itemization
While the optimal Zeri builds are still emerging, the Champion follows the same basic patterns of crit ADCs. Kraken Slayer is the popular Mythic item to help bust tanks and optimize auto attacks. From here, after completing Berserker’s Greaves, items such as Essence Reaver, Wits End, and Infinity Edge.
Also read:
- League of Legends 101 – An intro to Turrets
- ARAM – Tips and Tricks for the Howling Abyss
- League 101: How to wave clear faster and effectively
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Image Credits: Riot Games