Pubstompers: Episode One – Xin Zhao

So who is Xin Zhao?

Xin is a melee AD carry/assassin released July 2010. At release he was considered highly overpowered. Here’s an example why (sorry for the terrible quality):

 

Due to his absurd strength he soon got nerfed into unplayability. However, in the recent stealth rework patch Xin got a toolkit tweak and now he’s completely viable if not slightly overpowered. Most importantly, for the sake of this article, he is very easy to play.

My suggestion for pubstomp Xin is to jungle. Xin is a very easy jungler with a fast clear, infinite sustain and powerful ganks. I’m going to explain the basics of Jungle Xin and explain what makes him so easy to play.

When playing Xin always start with Vampiric Scepter and max Three Talon Strike (Q) immediately and Battle Cry (W) second for damage and sustain. Take one point in Audacious Charge (E) at level 3 or 4 when you’re ready to gank.

What makes Xin a good pubstomp?

1) Xin has great starting damage when maxing Three Talon Strike and Battle Cry. This means Xin has an excellent clear time and can 1v1 nearly any other jungler.

2) Xin with Vampiric Scepter and 1 point in Battle Cry you can clear any jungle mobs infinitely without ever needing to back to base. This makes him extremely easy for less experienced junglers to pick up. It also gives Xin the potential to gank at any time from level 3 onwards as long as you have at least 1 point in each ability.

3) Three Talon Strike gives you a knock-up which is incredibly useful for ganks or counterjungling and Audacious Charge gives an instant gap closer.

4) His ultimate (although slightly difficult to use effectively) gives him lots of utility during teamfights and an escape ability.

5) His skill set is extremely easy to use. To engage simply activate Three Talon Strike and Battle Cry and Audacious Charge if necessary. Hold off using your ult to either finish the target or knock back additional enemies trying to peel you off your target.

Itemization

To itemize Jungle Xin always rush Wriggle’s Lantern making sure to get at least level 1 boots the first time you back. From there you have two main options, either build as a tanky bruiser with items such as Phage, Warmogs, Atma's Impaler and/or Maw of Malmortius.

Or (and I only recommend this if you are really fed and facerolling) build as a carry/assassin with Infinity Edge, Phantom Dancers, and Guardian Angel. Of course you can build a hybrid which is often the most effective. Regardless of whether or not you’re building as an assassin I recommend Phage for its slow and slight health boost.

This is by no means meant to be a complete Xin guide, it is simply an overview of how powerful the new Xin can be even if you aren’t an extremely talented LoL player. If you are considering starting ranked or are stuck in ELO hell I recommend picking up and practicing Xin as he has the ability to carry even the most incompetent teams to victory.

Thanks for reading my first article. I’m taking suggestions for who I should cover next so please if you have ideas put them in the comment section.