Xin Zhao

Xin Zhao is a low-difficulty melee fighter who thrives on committing fully to a single target and daring the enemy team to punish him. Rated 8 in attack against 6 in defense, he is built for aggressive skirmishing rather than pure frontlining, typically in the top lane.

A kit built around the all-in

The engagement pattern is straightforward and satisfying. Audacious Charge closes the distance to an enemy, granting attack speed and slowing everything in the landing zone. Wind Becomes Lightning follows with a slash and spear thrust that slows enemies and marks them as Challenged, which extends the range of his next charge and shapes how his ultimate behaves. Three Talon Strike then empowers his next three attacks, with the third knocking the target into the air — a reliable, on-demand disruption that interrupts channels and buys time for follow-up damage.

Determination, his passive, heals him and adds bonus damage on every third attack, giving Xin Zhao surprising sustain in extended trades. Crescent Guard is the piece that makes his dives viable: it damages nearby enemies based on their current health, knocks back everyone except his Challenged target, and renders him impervious to damage from champions outside the circle. Used well, it turns a dive into an isolated duel on his terms.

Xin Zhao rewards decisive players who like picking a target, deleting it, and surviving the aftermath. His weakness is equally clear from the kit: everything requires melee range, so kiting and displacement before he reaches his mark leave him with little to do.