Akali vs Zed MID Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Akali

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Mid

Zed

Akali vs Zed

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Akali wants to snowball by using high early lane pressure to deny Zed free farm and scaling opportunities.
Use (W) shroud to create safe windows for trades and avoid giving Zed passive lane states where he can set up his combos.

Trading pattern

Start trades with (Q) poke and passive autos, then commit with (W) and (E) when Zed is exposed.
Respect (W)+(E) combo by focusing on dodging his (Q) to reduce his damage output.
Avoid fighting when your (W) is down since Zed can punish your vulnerability heavily.

Danger windows

Be cautious when your (W) is down, as Zed can engage with (W)+(E)+(Q) combo and burst you.
Respect Zed's level 6 (R) all-in threat; keep your (W) and mobility ready to avoid lethal damage.
If Zed wastes (W) to engage and misses, punish immediately before he recovers his combo.

Early game

Punish Zed aggressively before level 3 by using (Q) poke into (W) safety and short trades.
Avoid extended fights without (W) as (W)+(E) combo and poke can punish you hard.
Use your mobility to dodge (Q) and prevent his guaranteed damage combo.

Power spikes

Level 3 unlocks your (Q)-(W)-(E) combo for safe extended trades; use this to force fights when Zed cannot contest.
Level 6 (R) gives you burst and mobility to outplay Zed's all-in; track his (R) cooldown to pick your fights.
After your first completed AP item, increase aggression in trades and wave pressure while respecting Zed's lethality spike.

Win conditions

Use (W) to create safe windows for extended trades and all-ins, denying Zed farm and scaling.
Exploit Zed's early weakness by forcing fights before level 3 and when his (W) is on cooldown.
Reach level 6 and item spikes to outburst Zed and control the lane with superior mobility and stealth.