Ahri vs Zed MID Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Champion

Opponent

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Ahri

VS

Mid

Zed

Ahri vs Zed

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Use Ahri's early lane pressure to deny Zed free farm and force respect before his level 6 all-in.
Focus on punishing Zed's weak early levels by controlling wave tempo and threatening (E) angles to create roam or river pressure.

Trading pattern

Use (Q) and (W) to proc electrocute and poke, then hold (E) for punish windows when Zed commits or wastes mobility.
Avoid using (E) without a clear punish window to prevent being vulnerable to Zed's burst.
Respect (W)+(E) combo by dodging his (Q) and stepping back when his cooldowns are up.

Danger windows

Be cautious when (R) is available, especially combined with his (W)+(E)+(Q) combo for lethal burst.
Avoid extended trades when your (E) or (R) is on cooldown to prevent being all-in'd.
Missing (E) or being forced to ult away creates vulnerability until cooldowns reset; play around these windows.

Early game

Exploit Zed's vulnerability before level 3 with short (Q) and (W) trades, holding (E) to punish his forward movement.
Keep the wave controlled near your side to enable safe trades and punish Zed's attempts to engage.
Avoid extended trades if (R) is down or (E) is missed to prevent lethal counterattacks.

Power spikes

Track your level 6 (R) to safely extend trades, pick off Zed, or roam, respecting his own (R) window.
Use your first completed mage item spike to pressure waves and trades more confidently.
Respect Zed's level 3 combo unlock and lethality item spike by avoiding risky trades and punishing cooldowns.

Win conditions

Land (E) to pick off Zed or force him off the wave and deny his early agency.
Use repeated short trades with (Q) and (W) to build pressure and control lane priority.
After level 6, use (R) mobility to roam or control river pressure, limiting Zed's safe farm and engage options.