8 Best Champions To Counter Azir In League of Legends

Azir is a highly mobile control mage with strong poke, excellent zoning abilities, and the potential to dominate late-game team fights. His Soldiers provide consistent ranged damage, allowing him to harass enemies while staying safe, and his Shurima Shuffle (E + R) makes him a deadly playmaker. However, Azir struggles against champions who can gap-close quickly, burst him down before he scales, or disrupt his positioning.

To counter Azir effectively, you need champions who can get past his Soldiers, shut him down before he reaches his power spike, or force him into bad trades. Whether you’re playing mid lane or jungle, the right pick can make Azir’s laning phase miserable and prevent him from controlling fights.

In this article, we’ll go over the 8 best champions to counter Azir, explaining their strengths against him and how to capitalize on his weaknesses to dominate the game.

#8: Ziggs

Ziggs is a strong counter to Azir because his long-range poke, superior wave clear, and ability to control fights from a distance make it difficult for Azir to trade effectively. Azir thrives on keeping opponents at a set range with his Soldiers, but Ziggs’ Bouncing Bomb (Q) and Hexplosive Minefield (E) allow him to harass Azir from even farther away, making it hard for Azir to position aggressively.

Additionally, Ziggs’ Satchel Charge (W) can be used to disrupt Azir’s engages, preventing him from executing his iconic Shurima Shuffle (E + R) combo. Since Azir struggles against poke-heavy champions, Ziggs can constantly chip away at his health and force him to play defensively. If Azir ever gets too low, Ziggs’ Mega Inferno Bomb (R) can finish him off from anywhere on the map.

The key to beating Azir as Ziggs is to keep the pressure up with Q, use W to disengage when he tries to engage, and push the wave constantly to keep him stuck under his tower. Building Luden’s Tempest for extra poke or Liandry’s Anguish for sustained damage makes Ziggs even stronger. With superior range, high poke damage, and excellent wave control, Ziggs is a great pick to counter Azir in the mid lane.

#7: LeBlanc

LeBlanc is a strong counter to Azir because her high mobility, quick burst damage, and ability to dodge skill shots make it difficult for Azir to land his abilities and control trades. Azir excels at long-range sustained damage, but LeBlanc’s Distortion (W) allows her to jump in, trade damage, and escape before Azir can retaliate.

Additionally, LeBlanc’s Sigil of Malice (Q) and Ethereal Chains (E) give her strong poke and lockdown potential, making it easy to harass Azir early and force him to play defensively. Since Azir lacks instant crowd control, LeBlanc can freely weave in and out of trades, constantly applying pressure and making it impossible for Azir to farm safely. If Azir ever mispositions, LeBlanc’s Mimic (R) allows her to execute him with a double combo before he can react.

The key to beating Azir as LeBlanc is to apply early pressure, use W to engage and disengage safely, and look for all-in opportunities when he’s low on health or out of mana. Building Luden’s Tempest for extra burst or Shadowflame for magic penetration makes LeBlanc even deadlier. With high mobility, strong poke, and devastating burst damage, LeBlanc is one of the best champions to counter Azir in the mid lane.

#6: Taliyah

Taliyah is a strong counter to Azir because her ability to control terrain, disrupt dashes, and burst enemies quickly makes it difficult for Azir to position effectively. Azir relies on his mobility and Soldier-based poke, but Taliyah’s Unraveled Earth (E) punishes him every time he tries to engage or reposition with Shifting Sands (E), making his signature Shurima Shuffle play incredibly risky.

Additionally, Taliyah’s Threaded Volley (Q) allows her to poke Azir from a safe distance, preventing him from setting up in lane comfortably. If Azir ever tries to escape or reposition, Seismic Shove (W) can knock him into danger, leaving him vulnerable to an all-in. Since Azir lacks mobility when his dash is down, Taliyah can zone him out with her abilities and force him into bad trades.

The key to beating Azir as Taliyah is to constantly poke with Q, use E to punish his movement, and position W to push him into a dangerous spot. Building Liandry’s Anguish for sustained damage or Everfrost for extra crowd control makes Taliyah even more effective. With strong zoning tools, anti-mobility abilities, and solid burst damage, Taliyah is a great pick to counter Azir in the mid lane.

#5: Vel’Koz

Vel’Koz is a strong counter to Azir because his superior range, strong poke, and true damage disintegration make it difficult for Azir to safely farm or engage. Azir relies on keeping enemies at a set distance with his Soldiers, but Vel’Koz’s Plasma Fission (Q) allows him to harass Azir from much farther away, making it hard for Azir to position aggressively.

Additionally, Vel’Koz’s Void Rift (W) provides great wave clear, allowing him to match Azir’s push and prevent him from gaining lane control. Since Azir has to stay within a certain range to use his Soldiers, Vel’Koz can punish him with a well-timed Tectonic Disruption (E), knocking him up and setting up a devastating Life Form Disintegration Ray (R).

The key to beating Azir as Vel’Koz is to constantly poke with Q and W, use E to disrupt his movement, and unleash R when he is caught in a bad position. Building Luden’s Tempest for extra burst or Liandry’s Anguish for sustained poke makes Vel’Koz even stronger. With exceptional range, high burst potential, and strong zoning tools, Vel’Koz is one of the best champions to counter Azir in the mid lane.

#4: Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia is a strong counter to Azir because her sustained DPS, anti-dash mechanics, and ability to win extended trades make it difficult for Azir to play aggressively. Azir relies on his mobility and Soldier-based poke, but Cassiopeia’s Miasma (W) completely shuts down his Shifting Sands (E), preventing him from using his signature dash and escape tool.

Additionally, Cassiopeia’s Twin Fang (E) gives her incredible sustain damage, allowing her to outtrade Azir in extended fights, especially if she can continuously land her Noxious Blast (Q) for bonus movement speed. Since Azir needs time to set up his Soldiers for optimal damage, Cassiopeia can force him into quick skirmishes where she thrives. If Azir tries to dive in for a shuffle play, Cassiopeia’s Petrifying Gaze (R) can stun him in place, setting up an easy kill.

The key to beating Azir as Cassiopeia is to use W to deny his mobility, pressure him with sustained E spam, and punish him whenever he mispositions. Building Liandry’s Anguish for sustained DPS or Everfrost for extra crowd control makes Cassiopeia even more effective. With anti-mobility tools, high sustained damage, and strong zoning capabilities, Cassiopeia is one of the best champions to counter Azir in the mid lane.

#3: Swain

Swain is a strong counter to Azir because his high sustain, crowd control, and ability to dominate extended fights make it difficult for Azir to poke him down or reposition safely. Azir excels in keeping enemies at range with his Soldiers, but Swain’s Nevermove (E) can pull him in, preventing him from safely kiting away and setting up an easy all-in.

Additionally, Swain’s Demonic Ascension (R) allows him to heal through Azir’s poke while dealing consistent AoE damage, making it hard for Azir to outtrade him in team fights. Since Azir lacks mobility when his Shifting Sands (E) is down, Swain can continuously pressure him with sustained damage and force him into unfavorable trades. If Azir ever tries to engage with his Shurima Shuffle combo, Swain can tank through it and turn the fight with his massive healing.

The key to beating Azir as Swain is to land E to pull him out of position, use Q to deal consistent damage, and activate R in extended trades to overwhelm him. Building Riftmaker for sustain or Liandry’s Anguish for damage over time makes Swain even stronger. With high durability, crowd control, and the ability to outheal Azir’s poke, Swain is one of the best champions to counter Azir in the mid lane.

#2: Annie

Annie is a strong counter to Azir because her high burst damage, reliable crowd control, and strong early-game presence make it difficult for Azir to farm safely or scale into the late game. Azir relies on keeping enemies at a distance with his Soldiers and poking them down over time, but Annie’s Disintegrate (Q) allows her to farm safely while setting up for an instant stun.

Additionally, Annie’s Summon: Tibbers (R) gives her massive burst damage, allowing her to quickly delete Azir before he has a chance to reposition or trade back. Since Azir lacks mobility when his Shifting Sands (E) is down, Annie can force all-ins with Flash + R, locking him down and securing easy kills. If Azir tries to poke, Molten Shield (E) helps mitigate damage while increasing Annie’s movement speed, making it easier for her to engage.

The key to beating Azir as Annie is to play aggressively, use Q to stack your stun, and capitalize on his weak early game by going for all-ins as soon as you hit level 6. Building Luden’s Tempest for extra burst or Everfrost for added crowd control makes Annie even stronger. With high burst potential, strong CC, and an oppressive laning phase, Annie is one of the best champions to counter Azir in the mid lane.

#1: Aurelion Sol

Aurelion Sol is the best counter to Azir because his superior range, strong wave clear, and devastating late-game scaling make it difficult for Azir to control the lane. Azir thrives on poking enemies from a distance and zoning them with his Soldiers, but Aurelion Sol’s Breath of Light (Q) allows him to deal sustained damage from even farther away, making it nearly impossible for Azir to trade effectively.

Additionally, Aurelion Sol’s Singularity (E) gives him amazing wave control, preventing Azir from freely pushing the lane. If Azir ever tries to engage with his Shurima Shuffle (E + R), Aurelion Sol can easily reposition using Astral Flight (W) or punish him with a massive Falling Star (R). Since Azir is heavily reliant on his mid-game power spike, Aurelion Sol can outscale him by farming safely and becoming an unstoppable force in team fights.

The key to beating Azir as Aurelion Sol is to play safe early, use Q to harass him from range, and capitalize on your superior scaling to take over the game. Building Rod of Ages for scaling or Liandry’s Anguish for consistent poke makes Aurelion Sol even stronger. With insane late-game power, superior range, and strong wave control, Aurelion Sol is the best champion to counter Azir in the mid lane.

Conclusion

Azir is a strong scaling mage with high poke damage, excellent zoning, and strong team fight potential, but he struggles against champions who can outrange him, burst him down quickly, or disrupt his positioning. Aurelion Sol, Vel’Koz, and Ziggs are great counters because they can poke him from outside his Soldier range, making it difficult for him to trade effectively. LeBlanc, Taliyah, and Annie excel at bursting him down before he can reposition or scale into the late game. Meanwhile, Swain and Cassiopeia can lock him down, sustain through his poke, and punish his lack of mobility when his dash is on cooldown.

The key to shutting down Azir is to pressure him early, deny him farm, and prevent him from setting up his Soldiers freely. By choosing one of these eight counter champions, you can keep Azir from reaching his full potential and control the mid lane with ease.