Blogs
Doran's Blade Jungle Xin Zhao: Solo queue guide (platinum II)
Chubs
Thu 12th Sep 2013 - 5:00pm
I’m a platinum II jungle main on Eu-West and here’s how I get the most out of my newest favourite jungle pick. This is my latest take on Xin Zhao, who is currently overlooked a lot after his nerfs earlier in the season. I've returned to Xin Zhao to hunt everyone down and climb the ladder.
Introduction
I came to the realisation that so much on solo queue is won and lost in the first 20 minutes, or the first 10 minutes. Even the first 5 minutes in a lot of games. I also learned the importance of understanding the enemy jungler in terms of their movements and gank patterns. I rose from low in Gold to Platinum very quickly after doing this. Starting on the Lizard Elder (Red buff) when playing on the blue side to counter gank the predictable level 3 gank that you see coming in 95% of fights is key. Top lane can be won or lost in that early stage, here's where I come in.
So, where does Xin Zhao fit into this? He’s nerfed and there are better options, right? Maybe there are better options for some scenarios, but in solo queue I've accepted the havoc and lack of team co-ordination that you can inherrantly get from 5 random players. I’ve embraced it to the full and I'll share my insight here in this guide.
So, lets get started.
Runes
Marks:
I run full armour penetration, these could be swapped out for flat attack damage too.
Seals:
I use flat armour seals, a standard for a jungler.
Glyphs:
I take a four flat magic resistance glyphs, combined with five scaling magic resistance per level for a well balanced early game.
Quintessences:
I favour using two lifesteal quintessences, with a single armour penetration to complete my set. This gives you strong, scaling damage as well as extended sustainability.
I've played with several quintessence choices, there are plenty of viable options. Find the one that you prefer.
Flat attack damage or attack speed quintessences suit him well. I feel most comfortable with a little sustainability and the scaling damage increase that armour penetration brings throughout the game.
Masteries
There isn't too much to say here, I love to run my bruiser junglers with aggressive masteries like this page. It gives you strong early game strength as well as the very basic defences, including bladed armour for clear times in your jungle.
9/21/0 masteries are also viable but I feel that it detracts from Xin's early game power, which is what I like to focus on for the purpose of this guide.
Item build
Here's where I stray from the "standard" build for many junglers to utilise Xin Zhao in the early-mid game, where he is most powerful.
I start with a Doran's Blade instead of a Hunter's machete. Why do I do that? There are a few reasons:
I love the efficiency of a Doran’s Blade as a starting item and it works great for Xin. You avoid spending 175 gold on health potions at level 1. Not a lot, you say? Well you earn 173 gold from clearing your wraiths, wolves and double golem camps collectively. The days of Heart of Gold money ticking in your bags in season two are long gone, RIP. Any gold you can save is a god send for a jungler.
Pair the 4% lifesteal from the masteries with Xin's Battle Cry (W) ability for good sustain through your jungle, my intention is always to pick up both red and blue buff then seek a level 3 gank.
Core Item Build
This is my core build, often I'll decide to get a second Doran's Blade before completing my Spirit of the Ancient Golem. It's entirely upto preference from there. I build as a full tank for the late game, including items such as Randuin's Omen, Sunfire Cape, Spirit Visage, Banshee's Veil, Locket of the Iron Solari, Thornmail.
For offensive items, I would suggest buying one out of these: Blade of the Ruined King, Trinity Force, or even a Frozen Mallet. They all help Xin with his biggest shortfall: Sticking to his targets.
Skill Order
Three-Talon-Strike (Q): This is Xin's bread and butter, on the third hit you'll knock your target up in the air. Using three-talon-strike will reset your swing timer when you use it, so get an auto attack in before activating your Q ability to maximise damage.
Every hit also reduces the cooldown of his other abilities by 1 second each hit.
Take this at level 2 and max it second.
Battle Cry (W): Battle cry gives Xin a little extra sustain passively and on use gives him an attack speed steroid. This ability should be paired with Three-Talon-Strike allowing you to get the third hit proc quickly.
This ability is what helps you start with a Doran's Blade so effectively.
Take this at level 1 and max it last.
Audacious Charge (E): This is Xin's gap closer, try to save it if you approach from the side or behind your target. You can catch a target after they have flashed with this.
Maxing this ability first increases the damage and slows ALL nearby enemies by 45% at rank 5.
Take this at level 3 or 4 depending on when you plan to gank. Max it first.
Crescent Sweep (R): Xin's ultimate, you can use this to knock priorety targets towards your teammates, peel for your carry and even on individual targets, if you need the additional damage and tankiness that it grants you. Coming from behind a priority target and casting your ultimate before attacking your target will knock them closer to your team. This is an effective way to use his ultimate.
Prioritise maxing his ultimate first.
Summoner Spells
There are fairly limited options here, in terms of jungling I would suggest the standard Smite and Flash. This is completely up to preference. Ghost or Ignite could replace Smite depending on what you prefer.
Playstyle
Overall using Xin Zhao with aggressive ganks and even counter-jungling is hugely effective. In the early levels he's one of the best duelists, look to use this. You'll catch people off guard with the burst of your early damage and targets can't escape you with red buff on you. Try to find an understanding of the enemy jungler, the path that they will take as well as when and where they want to gank. You can counter-jungle if you're safe and constantly pressure them.
After a successful level 3 you can play aggressive and keep their jungler behind you in levels. He'll be afraid whenever he sees you and you'll aid your laners by keeping their opponent wary of you. If they don't respect the potential of Xin Zhao used this way, you'll punish them. So there you go, get out there and climb the solo queue ladder with a little help from my insight. You'll love this setup and be like a bull in a china shop, spearing everything in sight.