Tank Zilean Build

Tank Zilean Build.

Tank Zilean build with runes and items. Tank Zilean guide offers in-depth how-to play, skill order and tips. Play Tank Zilean build in League of Legends Patch 14.24!

Updated: 2024-12-18 ()

TLDR

Starting items
Giant's Belt should be final item in your build.
Ruby Crystal should be final item in your build.
Quick Skill Order
Zilean ability Time Warp should be leveled first.
E
Zilean ability Rewind should be leveled second.
W
Zilean ability Time Bomb should be leveled third.
Q
Final items
Mercury's Treads should be final item in your build.
Heartsteel should be final item in your build.
Kaenic Rookern should be final item in your build.
Titanic Hydra should be final item in your build.
Overlord's Bloodmail should be final item in your build.
Thornmail should be final item in your build.
Quick Runes
Major rune Grasp of the Undying from Resolve tree.
Minor rune Precision.
Summoner spells
Pick Ghost as your Summoner Spell.
Pick Flash as your Summoner Spell.

Tank Zilean Runes

Resolve
Resolve major tree Grasp of the Undying rune.
Resolve major tree Aftershock rune.
Resolve major tree Guardian rune.
Resolve major tree Demolish rune.
Resolve major tree Font of Life rune.
Resolve major tree Shield Bash rune.
Resolve major tree Conditioning rune.
Resolve major tree Second Wind rune.
Resolve major tree Bone Plating rune.
Resolve major tree Overgrowth rune.
Resolve major tree Revitalize rune.
Resolve major tree Unflinching rune.
Precision
Precision minor tree Absorb Life rune.
Precision minor tree Triumph rune.
Precision minor tree Presence of Mind rune.
Precision minor tree Legend: Alacrity rune.
Precision minor tree Legend: Haste rune.
Precision minor tree Legend: Bloodline rune.
Precision minor tree Coup de Grace rune.
Precision minor tree Cut Down rune.
Precision minor tree Last Stand rune.
Passive
Passive tree Adaptive Force rune (+9 Adaptive Force).
Passive tree Attack Speed rune (+10% Attack Speed).
Passive tree Ability Haste rune (+8 Ability Haste).
Passive tree Adaptive Force rune (+9 Adaptive Force).
Passive tree Move Speed rune (+2 Movement Speed).
Passive tree Health Scaling rune (+10-180 Health (based on level)).
Passive tree Health rune (+65 Health).
Passive tree Tenacity And Slow Resist rune (+10 Tenacity and Slow Resist).
Passive tree Health Scaling rune (+10-180 Health (based on level)).

How to play

General
  1. You rush Heartsteel.
  2. After Heartsteel, you can rush Titanic Hydra (more fun, damage and some survi) AND/OR Sundered Sky or just go full tank - depending on if you are behind and if your team needs more damage.
  3. Sundered Sky is very good damage item for this build. It scales off your HP (so Grasp, Heartsteel, Overgrowth). It gives damage and pretty good sustain in fights. Remember to switch targets to maximize the effect!
  4. This is auto attack oriented Zilean build, so do it! Especially if running with Titanic Hydra and Sundered Sky as well.
  5. Guardian's Horn is a surprisingly good item for its price. You can keep it for a very long time (or even have it as 6th item).
  6. Triumph is better (heal + gold), but if you want to have easier time with your mana, go Presence of the Mind.
  7. You need to adapt your items to the game. Enemy team heavy on AP? Buy MR. They heavy on AD? Buy Armor. You need some damage? Well buy that.
  8. Remember to consume your Heartsteel procs!
  9. Remember to consume your Grasp of the Undying procs!
  10. Your E heals, thanks to Font of Life!
  11. Do not wait for 'special moment' to ult someone. Someone is still high HP, but getting focused? Use it!

Tips and Tricks

Riot
  1. You can combine the use of Time Bomb and Rewind to place two Time Bombs on a target quickly. Placing the second bomb will detonate the first and stun all nearby enemies.
  2. Time Warp is an effective way to enable allies to finish off enemies, or escape from a losing battle.
  3. Chronoshift is a powerful deterrent to attacking your carries, but casting Chronoshift too early in a fight can cause the enemy to switch targets too soon, making it less effective.

Skill Order

  • Zilean [object Object] ability.
    Q
    Time Bomb
  • Zilean [object Object] ability.
    W
    Rewind
  • Zilean [object Object] ability.
    E
    Time Warp
  • Zilean [object Object] ability.
    R
    Chronoshift

Items

Starting items
Giant's Belt item.
Ruby Crystal item.
Starting items vs poke
Guardian's Horn item.
Ruby Crystal item.
Boots
Ionian Boots of Lucidity item.
Plated Steelcaps item.
Mercury's Treads item.
Rush this
Heartsteel item.
Dmg items
Additional considerations for these items is advised!
Titanic Hydra item.
Zhonya's Hourglass item.
Wit's End item.
Sundered Sky item.
Overlord's Bloodmail item.
Good tank items
Jak'Sho, The Protean item.
Warmog's Armor item.
Good MR items
Force of Nature item.
Spirit Visage item.
Kaenic Rookern item.
Good Armor items
Iceborn Gauntlet item.
Dead Man's Plate item.
Randuin's Omen item.
Thornmail item.
Frozen Heart item.
Situational items
Zeke's Convergence item.
Trailblazer item.
Knight's Vow item.
For the last fight
Additional considerations for these items is advised!
Elixir of Iron item.
Elixir of Sorcery item.
Example final build
Mercury's Treads item.
Heartsteel item.
Kaenic Rookern item.
Titanic Hydra item.
Overlord's Bloodmail item.
Thornmail item.