Zetian

No specific hero scores are available for Zetian, so her strengths and weaknesses are derived directly from her skill kit.

• Strengths: Zetian boasts significant area-of-effect magic damage, particularly with her Phoenix Strike (Skill 1) and Phoenix Descent (Skill 2), allowing her to clear minion waves efficiently and excel in teamfights against grouped enemies. Her ultimate, Fury of the Phoenix, provides global presence, offering both a team-wide movement speed buff and a global stun and damage effect, which can turn the tide of engagements across the map. The Celestial Armament passive grants her stacking Spell Vamp, enhancing her sustain during prolonged fights, while Celestial Robe offers a crucial defensive shield and stun against immediate threats, providing a moment of self-peel. Her Skill 2 also reduces enemy Magic Defense, amplifying her team's magic damage output.
• Weaknesses: Zetian's effectiveness heavily relies on landing her skillshots; missed abilities drastically reduce her damage output and sustain from Spell Vamp. The defensive aspect of her passive, Celestial Robe, has a very long cooldown, leaving her vulnerable after it's been triggered. While Skill 1 allows for movement during casting, Zetian lacks inherent mobility skills, making her susceptible to high-mobility assassins or divers who can bypass her passive shield. Maximizing her global ultimate requires excellent map awareness and precise timing, as its impact can be diminished if used improperly.

Understanding Zetian's abilities is key to mastering her. Each skill offers unique utility and damage potential.

• Passive: Celestial Armament
  This passive has two components. Phoenix Crown: When Zetian hits enemy heroes with Phoenix Strike or Phoenix Descent, she gains 0.5% Spell Vamp for 5s, stacking up to 10 times. This means hitting multiple enemies or landing successive skills significantly boosts her survivability, making her more resilient in extended skirmishes. Celestial Robe: The power of the Phoenix periodically protects Zetian, knocking back and stunning any enemy hero who dares approach her while dealing 90 (+10*Hero Level) 50% Total Magic Power to them. She also gains a 300 (+20*Hero Level) 50% Total Magic Power Shield that lasts 3s. This effect has a 120s cooldown. This defensive aspect provides crucial self-peel and a shield, deterring immediate threats. The 50% Total Magic Power scaling on both the damage and the shield means that building Magic Power will not only increase her offensive capabilities but also her defensive resilience.
• Skill 1: Phoenix Strike
  Zetian unleashes a Phoenix Wave in the target direction. If it hits an enemy, she automatically casts another wave, up to 3 times. While casting, Zetian can move with 10% increased Movement Speed and can use other skills. The three Phoenix Waves deal 185 + 30% Total Magic Power / 185 + 50% Total Magic Power / 330 + 70% Total Magic Power, respectively. The third wave hits a larger area and includes a small pull effect (not considered a control effect). This skill only has 80% Spell Vamp efficiency against Minions. This is Zetian's primary poke and wave clear tool. The increasing Magic Power scaling (30%, 50%, then 70%) on successive waves means that landing all three hits is crucial for maximum damage. The movement speed bonus allows for repositioning or chasing, and the third wave's pull can help set up further damage or keep enemies within range. Prioritize leveling this skill for consistent damage and farming.
• Skill 2: Phoenix Descent
  Zetian summons a Phoenix Spirit at the target location, dealing 150 + 30% Total Magic Power and applying a 50% Slow Effect to enemies in the area. The Phoenix Spirit hovers at the location for 3s, dealing 20 + 10% Total Magic Power every 0.5s and reducing enemies' Magic Defense by 10%. While the Phoenix Spirit is active, Zetian can use this skill again to command it to charge toward a designated location, dealing 150 + 30% Total Magic Power and applying a Slow Effect upon arrival. This skill is excellent for zone control, sustained damage, and setting up ganks. The initial burst and subsequent damage over time both scale with 30% and 10% Total Magic Power respectively, making it benefit from Magic Power items. The Magic Defense reduction is invaluable for increasing overall magic damage from Zetian and her allies. The ability to re-cast for a second burst and slow provides flexibility in controlling enemy movement.
• Ultimate: Fury of the Phoenix
  Zetian calls upon her divine mandate and the hearts of her people, granting all allied heroes 60% Movement Speed that gradually decays over 3s, while bringing divine retribution upon all enemy heroes, dealing 400 + 100% Total Magic Power and stunning them for 1s. Zetian gains vision of all enemy heroes during this time. Zetian can cast other skills while channeling this skill. This global ultimate is a game-changer. The 100% Total Magic Power scaling means it benefits immensely from Magic Power, making it a powerful finisher or initiation tool. The global stun and vision provide immense utility for teamfights, objective contests, or catching out isolated enemies. The allied movement speed buff can be used for engages, disengages, or rotating quickly.

No official build is available for Zetian as she is a new hero. However, based on her skill kit and damage scaling, we can deduce the most beneficial statistical archetypes for her. Zetian's skills primarily scale with Total Magic Power, with her ultimate having a significant 100% scaling, and her Skill 1's third wave scaling at 70%. This indicates a strong need for items that provide substantial Magic Power to maximize her burst and sustained damage. Given her reliance on landing multiple skills for damage and Spell Vamp, Cooldown Reduction is another crucial statistic to ensure her abilities are available more frequently, allowing for consistent poke and teamfight presence. Magic Penetration will be vital to ensure her damage is effective against enemies who build magic defense, allowing her to cut through their resistances. Finally, while her passive provides some Spell Vamp, additional sources of Spell Vamp or general survivability stats like HP or defensive effects can enhance her ability to stay in fights longer, especially since she lacks inherent mobility. Therefore, focus on items that provide high Magic Power, Cooldown Reduction, and Magic Penetration, with some consideration for defensive stats.

Zetian's playstyle revolves around strategic positioning, effective skill usage, and global map awareness. In the early game, focus on using Phoenix Strike (Skill 1) to clear minion waves and poke enemies from a safe distance. Try to land all three waves for maximum damage and to stack your passive's Spell Vamp. Use Phoenix Descent (Skill 2) to zone enemies, reduce their magic defense, and set up ganks with its slow effect. Always be mindful of your Celestial Robe passive's cooldown; it's your primary defense against sudden engagements. In teamfights, position yourself safely behind your frontline. Look for opportunities to hit multiple enemies with your Skill 1 and Skill 2. Your ultimate, Fury of the Phoenix, is a powerful tool for initiating fights, securing kills across the map, or assisting allies in distress. Coordinate with your team to maximize its global stun and movement speed buff. Continuously stack your Spell Vamp by hitting enemy heroes to maintain your sustain throughout engagements.

No specific hero matchups (counters or synergies) are officially listed for Zetian. However, as a Mage hero, Zetian generally thrives against enemies who group up, allowing her area-of-effect skills to hit multiple targets. Her global ultimate provides an advantage against split-pushing heroes or those attempting to escape with low health across the map. Conversely, Zetian can struggle against heroes with high mobility who can easily dodge her skillshots or quickly close the distance to burst her down before her passive shield activates. Heroes with strong crowd control can also be problematic, as they can lock her down and prevent her from casting her abilities effectively. Additionally, heroes who build significant magic defense will naturally mitigate a large portion of her damage, requiring Zetian to rely more on her Magic Penetration stats to remain effective.

In a typical teamfight scenario, Zetian can initiate or follow up with a devastating sequence of abilities. Begin by casting Fury of the Phoenix (Ultimate) to stun all visible enemy heroes globally, providing vision and setting up the engagement for your team while also granting your allies a crucial movement speed boost. Immediately after, or as enemies are stunned, deploy Phoenix Descent (Skill 2) into the thick of the enemy formation. This will apply a slow, deal initial damage, and reduce their Magic Defense, making them more vulnerable. As the Phoenix Spirit hovers, follow up by unleashing Phoenix Strike (Skill 1) in the direction of the most clustered enemies, aiming to hit all three waves. The third wave's pull effect can help keep enemies within the Phoenix Descent's area. If enemies try to escape the Phoenix Descent's area, re-cast Skill 2 to command the Phoenix Spirit to charge, dealing additional damage and applying another slow. This combination maximizes Zetian's area damage, crowd control, and Magic Defense reduction, ensuring a high impact in any teamfight.

• Prioritize Magic Power and Cooldown Reduction in your build to maximize Zetian's damage output and skill availability, ensuring consistent pressure and burst.
• Master the timing and aim of Phoenix Strike (Skill 1) to consistently land all three waves, which is crucial for both damage and stacking your passive's Spell Vamp for sustain.
• Utilize Phoenix Descent (Skill 2) for effective zone control, slowing enemies, and reducing their Magic Defense, setting up kills for yourself and your team.
• Leverage Fury of the Phoenix (Ultimate) for global impact, coordinating with your team to initiate fights, secure objectives, or provide crucial assistance across the map.