r/zoemains

TL:DR: Shadowflame is one of Zoe's most popular items that is losing you games. Please do not buy this item until your 3rd purchase.

Shadowflame is the only popular Zoe item with a negative win rate when purchased 2nd. That means that if you are buying this second, you are decreasing your chances of winning the game, period.

Statistics - it's all red

- The most popular second item for Diamond and below players.

- The worst performing (of commonly built) second items in all elos.

- Is 5~7% lower WR than popular alternatives (actually insane)

- Is the only popular item with a win rate lower than Zoe's average (thank you for helping us dodge nerfs)

- if you want to look yourself go on lolalytics

Most people justify their purchase with "I play Zoe for the one shot". This item does less than both Stormsurge and Lichbane for that purpose. This is the worst item for EQR AUTO combo. It only does anything if you don't auto and are forced to ignite for the electrocute proc.

The item - paying more for less

- 400 gold more expensive than Stormsurge alternative

- the gold difference means you can buy an Amp Tome and they will both give you 110AP

- same 15 mpen but no 6% move speed as Stormsurge

- 20% damage @ under 40% HP is useless in mid game on a champion with no execute

- Zoe is front loaded so 80% of her one shot damage is unaffected by Shadowflame

- Will contribute half of the damage of a Stormsurge proc unless you use ignite.

- If you hit E Q on a target under 40% HP they're dead with or without the passive. (Unless they're a tank which is not why you're building the item in the first place)

Buy it third - if they're squishy

- positive WR (congrats you can read)

- people will have more HP and base resistances so you can get more value from the passive

- it can be useful for finishing targets in team fights with just Q or something

- it can be useful if you want to spike a game winning fight and can't afford Deathcap

If you want a pure burst build please build Lichbane or Stormsurge. They're not only cheaper but also do more damage than Shadowflame. They also provide 6% movement speed which is also a very desirable stat for roaming and increasing q damage.

I think my mechanics are quite good on Zoe, and I understand the idea behind her. Bully lane, shove wave and look for roams. But my WR is negative. I feel like my value rapidly drops when people start grouping, and the worst part is when fights happen in base with minions everywhere blocking my entire kit.

Do any high win rate Zoe’s have any tips?

PLAT 4 EU

https://reddit.com/link/1th1ea6/video/yz36zdpnny1h1/player

Sounds like a stupid question, I know. I feel kinda frustrated in the last weeks. I’m still learning Zoe and I know I’m pretty far from the best I could possibly play her. Almost every game I end up winning my lane (sometimes even hard win, like 3/0 50cs ahead) and still lose the game (most of the times against champs I can’t one shot or when I get my team too behind in dmg). Is there something I can do to try improve this situation or praying God is the only way?

As rune I go for aery every game (used to go electro but rn I find aery the most reliable one), for build it depends on what I face (if 3+ melee/ closing gap champs I go for blackfire + cosmic, if 3+ ranged/ shottable champs luden + lich)

Every tip will be useful, rn I’m feeling like I can’t win anyway and it’s making me so sad but I don’t wanna give up with Zoe. I used to be an Ekko otp but playing Zoe feels so much better and I wanna win with her more and climb

Im tranna get back into OTPing Zoe i used to, but i also used to play pretty much every (high skill) champ because thats the only fun thing in this shit game, SOOOO i already know the answers to the questions ill ask but for your info my ex main aka last one was GP which i had lots of fun with but just couldnt carry games by myself so tranna get back into Zoe here are the questions

Can she carry 1v9?
Can u see the difference between 10k,100k,1mil Zoe?
Is she always pickable?
Is she fun and challanging?

Thanks for answers fellas

So what is best in your experience?
High ability haste or ability power?

I have played mostly high Ability Power: Ludens, Rabadons, Lich Bane etc.

Mostly top damage by far (not unusual to do twice damage than others) and had a bunch of kills. It's easy to land something and completely obliterate them.

Since the E patch I been playing Ability Haste: Archangel, Protobelt, Horizon Focus etc.

My overall damage for the game has decreased significantly. I hardly ever one-shot people, but I experience I may land way more pressure. I am way better at pressing tanks. Man the continues sleeps on a huge Chogath every other second is crazy peel.

Overall it feels like CDR has more of a continues flow to it with more opportunities for not just myself but my team as well, where the burst damage would have been an all or nothing.

What do you think?