10 Best Champions To Counter Zac In League of Legends

Zac is a tanky jungler known for his exceptional crowd control, high mobility, and ability to disrupt enemy teams with his Elastic Slingshot (E) and Let’s Bounce! (R). While he can be a huge asset in team fights due to his ability to initiate and soak up damage, Zac has weaknesses—he is reliant on his cooldowns, has limited burst damage, and can be kited easily. The best champions to counter Zac can exploit these weaknesses, prevent him from engaging effectively, and out-sustain or burst him down before he becomes a major threat. In this article, we’ll discuss the 10 best champions to counter Zac and how to neutralize his impact in the game.

#10: Xin Zhao

Xin Zhao is a strong counter to Zac because he can outduel him in the early game, sustain through his damage, and prevent Zac from engaging effectively. Zac relies on his crowd control and mobility to initiate fights, but Xin Zhao’s three-hit combo with Three Talon Strike (Q) and his knock-up from Audacious Charge (E) allows him to disrupt Zac’s engages and burst him down quickly.

Xin Zhao’s sustain from his passive and his ability to stick to Zac in close combat makes him a formidable duelist. While Zac relies on his Elastic Slingshot (E) for mobility, Xin Zhao’s high burst damage and crowd control can prevent Zac from using his mobility effectively.

To win this matchup, Xin Zhao players should focus on early aggression, using Q and E to poke and disrupt Zac’s combo, and staying on top of Zac to prevent him from getting away. If played well, Xin Zhao can shut down Zac’s engage potential and prevent him from scaling into a late-game threat.

#9: Elise

Elise is a strong counter to Zac because she can invade his jungle early, burst him down before he can sustain, and deny his passive revival. Zac relies on scaling into the mid and late game, but Elise’s early-game strength allows her to invade and apply pressure before he becomes a threat.

Another major advantage Elise has is her burst damage. With Neurotoxin (Q) in human form and Venomous Bite (Q) in spider form, she can deal heavy percentage-based damage, making it easy to take Zac down before he can heal from his blobs. Additionally, Cocoon (E) provides a stun, interrupting Zac’s engages and preventing him from casting Elastic Slingshot (E).

To win this matchup, Elise players should focus on early-game aggression, invading Zac’s jungle to steal camps and deny farm, and using Cocoon (E) to disrupt his engages. If played correctly, Elise can shut down Zac before he scales into a tanky frontline threat.

#8: Rek’Sai

Rek’Sai is a strong counter to Zac because she can invade his jungle, disrupt his engages, and burst him down before he can heal. Zac relies on scaling and sustain, but Rek’Sai’s early-game aggression and strong dueling power allow her to invade, apply pressure, and deny him farm before he becomes a late-game tank.

One of Rek’Sai’s key advantages is her ability to track Zac with Tremor Sense (W - Burrowed), allowing her to anticipate his movements and prevent him from setting up ganks. Additionally, Unburrow (W - Burrowed) provides a knock-up that interrupts Zac’s Elastic Slingshot (E), making it difficult for him to engage or escape. Rek’Sai also has true damage from Furious Bite (E), helping her burst Zac down before he can sustain off his blobs.

To win this matchup, Rek’Sai players should focus on early-game invades, using Tremor Sense to track Zac’s position, and knocking him up with W to stop his engages. If played correctly, Rek’Sai can prevent Zac from scaling and take full control of the jungle.

#7: Trundle

Trundle is a strong counter to Zac because he can steal Zac’s tankiness, out-sustain him in extended fights, and disrupt his engages. Zac relies on his crowd control and sustain to initiate fights and absorb damage, but Trundle’s Subjugate (R) steals Zac’s resistances, making him much easier to burst down while also boosting Trundle’s survivability.

Another major advantage Trundle has is his ability to duel Zac effectively. Chomp (Q) reduces Zac’s attack damage, weakening his auto-attacks and sustained damage from his blobs. Additionally, Pillar of Ice (E) can interrupt Zac’s Elastic Slingshot (E) by knocking him out of position, making it difficult for Zac to engage or escape.

To win this matchup, Trundle players should focus on using Q to reduce Zac’s damage, E to block his engages, and R to weaken his tankiness. If played correctly, Trundle can completely disrupt Zac’s playstyle and make him an easy target for his team.

#6: Kha’Zix

Kha’Zix is a strong counter to Zac because he can invade his jungle, burst him down before he heals, and take advantage of Zac’s isolated positioning. Zac relies on scaling and sustain, but Kha’Zix’s high burst damage and mobility allow him to invade early and prevent Zac from reaching his power spikes.

One of Kha’Zix’s biggest strengths is his isolation damage from Taste Their Fear (Q). Zac often farms alone in the jungle, making him an easy target for Kha’Zix’s burst combo. Additionally, Void Assault (R) provides invisibility, allowing Kha’Zix to dodge Zac’s crowd control and reposition in fights.

To win this matchup, Kha’Zix players should focus on invading Zac’s jungle early, using Q to deal high burst damage, and saving R to avoid Zac’s engages. If played correctly, Kha’Zix can snowball the game and prevent Zac from scaling into a late-game tank.

#5: Nidalee

Nidalee is a strong counter to Zac because she can poke him from range, invade his jungle early, and burst him down before he can sustain. Zac relies on scaling and healing from his passive, but Nidalee’s long-range poke and high mobility allow her to apply constant pressure and deny his farm.

One of Nidalee’s biggest advantages is her ability to control Zac’s jungle. With Bushwhack (W), she can place traps to track Zac’s movements, making it easy to anticipate his pathing and set up counter-invades. Additionally, Javelin Toss (Q) deals heavy poke damage, forcing Zac to burn his blobs for healing before fights. If Nidalee lands a spear, she can quickly shift into Cougar form and burst Zac down before he can sustain.

To win this matchup, Nidalee players should focus on aggressive jungle invades, using Q to poke Zac from a distance, and denying him opportunities to heal by bursting him down quickly. If played correctly, Nidalee can keep Zac from ever reaching his late-game tank potential.

#4: Lee Sin

Lee Sin is a strong counter to Zac because he can invade early, disrupt Zac’s engages, and execute him before he can sustain. Zac relies on his passive healing and mobility, but Lee Sin’s early-game dominance and crowd control allow him to deny Zac farm and prevent him from scaling into a tanky initiator.

One of Lee Sin’s biggest strengths is his ability to interrupt Zac’s Elastic Slingshot (E). With Sonic Wave (Q) and Tempest (E), Lee Sin can burst Zac down before he can heal from his blobs. Additionally, Dragon’s Rage (R) is a powerful disengage tool that can kick Zac away from his team when he tries to engage, completely shutting down his initiation.

To win this matchup, Lee Sin players should invade Zac early, use Q and E to apply pressure, and save R to disrupt his engages. If played correctly, Lee Sin can shut down Zac’s scaling and prevent him from being an effective frontline tank.

#3: Kindred

Kindred is a strong counter to Zac because she can kite him, invade his jungle early, and prevent him from executing targets with her ultimate. Zac relies on close-range engages and sustain, but Kindred’s mobility and ranged attacks allow her to harass him from a distance and deny his jungle farm.

One of Kindred’s biggest advantages is her kiting potential. With Dance of Arrows (Q) and Mounting Dread (E), she can constantly reposition while dealing damage, making it difficult for Zac to land his crowd control. Additionally, Lamb’s Respite (R) prevents Zac from executing her allies or finishing off low-health targets, neutralizing his ability to be a frontliner in fights.

To win this matchup, Kindred players should focus on early-game jungle invades, using Q to kite Zac, and saving R to deny his execute potential. If played correctly, Kindred can completely shut down Zac’s engages and prevent him from scaling into a tanky initiator.

#2: Graves

Graves is a strong counter to Zac because he can invade early, out-duel him in fights, and deny his engage with smokescreen. Zac relies on sustained fights and crowd control, but Graves’ ranged damage and mobility allow him to kite Zac while dealing high burst damage.

One of Graves’ biggest strengths is his ability to counter-jungle effectively. With Quickdraw (E) giving bonus armor and his shotgun’s knockback reducing Zac’s healing from blobs, Graves can win extended fights in the jungle. Additionally, Smokescreen (W) completely blinds Zac, making it difficult for him to land Elastic Slingshot (E) or Let’s Bounce! (R).

To win this matchup, Graves players should focus on invading early, kiting Zac with auto-attacks and E, and using W to deny his engages. If played correctly, Graves can completely shut down Zac’s scaling and prevent him from being a frontline threat.

#1: Olaf

Olaf is the best counter to Zac because he can shred through his health, ignore crowd control, and sustain through extended fights. Zac relies on his crowd control and passive healing to stay in fights, but Olaf’s Ragnarok (R) grants him immunity to CC, allowing him to run straight through Zac’s engages and take him down.

One of Olaf’s biggest advantages is his sustain and true damage. Vicious Strikes (W) gives him lifesteal, while Reckless Swing (E) deals true damage, making it easy to cut through Zac’s tankiness regardless of how much health he has. Additionally, Olaf’s early-game strength allows him to invade Zac’s jungle, preventing him from farming safely.

To win this matchup, Olaf players should play aggressively early, invade Zac’s jungle, and use R to ignore his crowd control during fights. If played correctly, Olaf can completely negate Zac’s engage potential and shut him down before he becomes a late-game tank.

Conclusion

Zac is a tanky jungler with high sustain, strong crowd control, and disruptive teamfight potential, but his weaknesses—reliance on cooldowns, vulnerability to early-game invades, and struggles against heavy burst damage—make him susceptible to the right counters. Champions like Olaf and Graves can invade him early and shred through his tankiness, while Kindred and Kha’Zix can kite him and deny his sustain. Additionally, Lee Sin and Rek’Sai can interrupt his engages and prevent him from controlling fights. By applying early pressure, preventing Zac from healing, and using mobility or burst damage to shut him down, you can neutralize his impact and prevent him from becoming an unkillable frontline tank. Choosing the right counter can make all the difference in controlling the game and keeping Zac from taking over team fights.