Zoe ARAM Build and Guide

Updated for patch 26.21. Ability details come from Riot’s official game data for this patch; ARAM balance numbers come from the League of Legends Wiki’s champion data.

The Zoe ARAM build we’d go with is a burst path: Stormsurge, Shadowflame, Rabadon’s Deathcap and Void Staff on Sorcerer’s Shoes. She sleeps a target with Sleepy Trouble Bubble and wakes them with a long-range Paddle Star for double damage. On the Howling Abyss she gets 110% damage dealt and 95% damage taken.

No win rates.

How is Zoe changed in ARAM?

Both rows favour her (a rare sight for a mage). She hits 10% harder and takes 5% less damage, which is unusual for a burst mage in this mode. Most long-range mages get turned down here (Ziggs and Vel’Koz, for example). Why not Zoe? Probably because Paddle Star needs a clear straight line to deal its best damage, and on a bridge full of minions and tanks, that line is hard to find.

Why does Zoe suit the Howling Abyss?

Long sightlines down a single lane, and plenty of targets for the bubble. Her patch 26.21 kit:

• More Sparkles! (passive): bonus magic damage on her next basic attack after any spell.
• Paddle Star! (Q): a redirectable missile that gains damage the longer it flies straight. Cooldown 8.5/8/7.5/7/6.5.
• Spell Thief (W): she grabs remnants of enemy summoner spells and active items for one cast, and casting a summoner gives her 3 missiles at the nearest target.
• Sleepy Trouble Bubble (E): drowsiness, then sleep that lowers Magic Resist; the first damage to break it is doubled, up to a cap. Cooldown 18/17/16/15/14.
• Portal Jump (R): a 1 second blink to a nearby spot, then back. Cooldown 11/8/5.

The Abyss is long and straight, which is exactly what Paddle Star wants. A bubble that sleeps a carry standing behind the front line sets up a full-range Paddle Star for double damage. Portal Jump extends the throw. Spell Thief has more to work with too, since ten players cast summoners constantly, and every remnant she grabs is an extra tool. The catch is minions and tanks. Paddle Star stops on whatever it hits first (so aim around the wave).

What should a Zoe ARAM build focus on?

Burst and penetration. Her whole game is one huge hit, and every item should make it bigger. That’s it, honestly.

Stormsurge opens. Stormraider marks a champion who takes 25% of their max Health from her within 2.5 seconds, and Squall then deals extra magic damage 2 seconds later. A bubble into a long Paddle Star triggers that easily. You also get 6% Move Speed, helpful for dodging.

Shadowflame second, for 110 Ability Power and Cinderbloom, which makes her magic damage critically strike enemies under 40% Health for 20% more. It finishes off whoever the first combo left low. Then Rabadon’s Deathcap, with Magical Opus adding 30% to total Ability Power.

Void Staff closes the core with 40% Magic Penetration, since the tanks blocking Paddle Star will build Magic Resist. Sorcerer’s Shoes add flat Magic Penetration early. Look, if divers keep reaching her, Zhonya’s Hourglass is the sensible swap.

How do you play Zoe in teamfights?

• Bubble first, Paddle Star second. The first damage after the sleep is doubled.
• Throw Paddle Star from as far as possible; damage grows with straight-line travel.
• Use Portal Jump to change the angle. You blink back after 1 second, so throw while away.
• Walk over summoner remnants with Spell Thief; each one is a free extra cast.
• Aim around the front line, since Paddle Star stops on the first target.

How do no-recall shopping and Mark affect Zoe?

Shopping only happens when you’re dead. Stormsurge comes first (finish it before anything defensive). Health relics are her only healing, because nothing in her kit restores health.

What about the snowball? A hit from Mark grants a dash onto that enemy, which a fragile mage rarely wants. Summoners stay fixed after loading, so a defensive spell beside Flash is the usual choice. Funny enough, casting any summoner gives her 3 missiles through Spell Thief, so even a defensive one adds damage.

Is Zoe a good ARAM pick?

Yes. Two buffs and long sightlines make her one of the scarier burst mages in the mode, as long as she can find a clear line past the minions. Teams with lots of tanks blocking the lane slow her down.

Facing her in mid on Summoner’s Rift? Check the Zoe counters guide. Exact numbers for Stormsurge and the rest are in our League items list, and her costumes are on the Zoe skins page.

Long story short, the Zoe ARAM build is Stormsurge, Shadowflame, Rabadon’s Deathcap and Void Staff, with the bubble landing first and a long Paddle Star waking the target up.

FAQ

What are Zoe’s ARAM modifiers?

Damage dealt 110% and damage taken 95%, according to wiki data for patch 26.21.

Why Stormsurge on Zoe?

Stormraider triggers when she deals a large share of a champion’s max Health within 2.5 seconds, and a bubble plus Paddle Star does that easily.

How does Zoe deal double damage?

Sleepy Trouble Bubble puts the target to sleep, and the first source of damage that breaks the sleep is doubled, up to a cap.

Can Zoe use enemy summoner spells?

Yes. Spell Thief picks up the remnants of enemy summoner spells and active items so she can cast them once.

Should Zoe take Mark?

Rarely. Dashing after a snowball puts a fragile mage among the enemy team.