Zilean - League of Legends Champion
Win Rate
50.6%
Pick Rate
1.3%

Zileanvs Caitlyn

BSupportMage
Patch26.10
Matches1,120,787
LaneAll Lanes
TierAll Tiers
Last UpdatedMay 19, 2026
MethodologyData Methodology

Zilean vs Caitlyn is a decisive matchup in LoL patch 26.10. Caitlyn wins with a 60.0% win rate (+20.0%) over Zilean based on 5 games. Zilean wins the early laning phase while Caitlyn scales better into the late game. Below you'll find the best Zilean build, runes, laning stats, and strategies for the Zilean vs Caitlyn matchup.

Zilean Matchup Breakdown

Use the dropdown to select an opponent and see a detailed breakdown of how Zilean performs against them. You'll get head-to-head win rates, laning stats, the best build and runes for the matchup, and early vs late game analysis — all based on real ranked data.

Compare against an opponent
Caitlyn - 40.0% win rateCaitlyn(40.0%)
Zilean - 40.0% win rate in this matchup
Zilean
40.0% WR
VS
Caitlyn vs Zilean matchup - 60.0% win rate
Caitlyn
60.0% WR

Who Wins the Zilean vs Caitlyn Matchup?

Caitlyn wins the Zilean vs Caitlyn matchup
Winner
Caitlyn
Matches: 5
40.0%
Win Rate
60.0%
6.3
CS / min
7.1
704
DMG / min
946
12,872
Gold / game
13,531
341
Heal / min
135
464
DMG Mitigated / min
353
1.2
CC / min
0.7
100.0%
Early Game WR
0.0%
0.0%
Late Game WR
100.0%

Zilean vs Caitlyn Matchup Summary

The Zilean vs Caitlyn matchup is a decisive matchup in League of Legends ranked play. Based on 5 recent matches analyzed, Caitlyn wins with a 60.0% win rate compared to Zilean's 40.0%, giving Caitlyn a 20.0 percentage point advantage. Game phase dynamics play a critical role here: Zilean controls the early laning stage, but Caitlyn outscales as the game goes longer. The matchup shifts dramatically depending on game length — Zilean needs to press advantages before Caitlyn reaches their power spikes, while Caitlyn should focus on safe farming and hitting key item breakpoints. The most significant statistical gap is in sustain, where Zilean leads by 316 HP/min — a difference that heavily influences the outcome of trades and skirmishes. Caitlyn has a strong advantage in this matchup. Zilean players should play defensively, prioritize safe farming under tower, and look for opportunities created by jungle pressure or Caitlyn overextending. Avoid prolonged trades and wait for team fights where positioning and coordination matter more. Understanding these matchup dynamics is essential for champion select decisions and in-game strategy when facing this lane opponent.

Zilean vs Caitlyn Laning Phase Breakdown

Caitlyn wins the laning phase against Zilean in League of Legends

Caitlyn is favored during the laning phase against Zilean, winning 3 out of 5 key stat categories. Caitlyn holds advantages in farming, damage and gold income, making them the stronger laner in this matchup.

Farming
6.3Zilean
7.1Caitlyn
Caitlyn significantly out-farms Zilean by 0.8 CS per minute, accumulating an estimated 12 CS lead by mid game. This substantial farming gap gives Caitlyn a major gold advantage and earlier item completions. Zilean players should prioritize wave management techniques like freezing near tower and using abilities efficiently to minimize the deficit.
Damage
704Zilean
946Caitlyn
Caitlyn heavily out-damages Zilean by 242 DMG/min, dominating both short trades and all-in fights. Zilean should avoid extended combat and instead focus on burst trade patterns — short engages followed by immediate disengagement — to avoid letting Caitlyn's sustained damage advantage take over.
Economy
12,872Zilean
13,531Caitlyn
Caitlyn earns 659 more gold per game than Zilean, equivalent to roughly one additional component item. This economic edge comes from a combination of better farming, kill participation, and objective control, giving Caitlyn slightly faster item completions.
Utility
1.2Zilean
0.7Caitlyn
Zilean provides 0.4 seconds more crowd control per minute than Caitlyn, offering better gank setup potential and slightly more team fight utility. This CC advantage helps Zilean coordinate with their jungler and control the pace of skirmishes.
Sustain
805Zilean
488Caitlyn
Zilean vastly out-sustains Caitlyn, healing and mitigating 316 more damage per minute. This massive durability gap means Zilean can absorb significant punishment and remain in lane while Caitlyn is forced to recall. Building grievous wounds early is essential for Caitlyn, and focusing on burst trade patterns rather than sustained fights is critical.

Early Game vs Late Game

Early Game
Zilean
100.0%
+100.0% advantage
Zilean early game win rateZilean100.0%
Caitlyn early game win rateCaitlyn0.0%
Late Game
Caitlyn
100.0%
+100.0% advantage
Zilean late game win rateZilean0.0%
Caitlyn late game win rateCaitlyn100.0%

Zilean dominates the early game (first 15 minutes) with a commanding 100.0% win rate — a 100.0 percentage point lead over Caitlyn. This lopsided early game means Zilean can dictate the pace of the lane from level 1, controlling trades, wave state, and river priority.

Caitlyn is far superior in the late game (25+ minutes), boasting a 100.0% win rate — 100.0 points above Zilean. Extended games heavily favor Caitlyn, whose kit and scaling make them a dominant force in team fights and objective control.

This matchup features a dramatic power shift: Zilean must aggressively press their early advantage and close out the game before Caitlyn reaches their scaling breakpoints. If Caitlyn survives the laning phase without falling too far behind, the matchup flips in their favor. Dragon and Rift Herald control are pivotal — the team that secures early objectives can snowball or buy time to scale.

Best Zilean Runes Against Caitlyn

Sorcery rune tree - Zilean primary runes vs CaitlynSorcery
Summon Aery - best Zilean rune vs CaitlynManaflow Band - best Zilean rune vs CaitlynTranscendence - best Zilean rune vs CaitlynScorch - best Zilean rune vs Caitlyn
Inspiration rune tree - Zilean secondary runes vs CaitlynInspiration
Cash Back - best Zilean rune vs CaitlynTriple Tonic - best Zilean rune vs Caitlyn
100.0% WR

The Sorcery and Inspiration rune setup gives Zilean the best tools to compete against Caitlyn in this difficult matchup, compensating for the statistical disadvantages with optimal rune synergies.


Zilean matchup data for League of Legends patch 26.10. The table below shows Zilean's win rate, gold difference, and performance stats against every champion in the current meta. Click any champion name to see a detailed head-to-head breakdown including the best Zilean build, runes, laning stats, and early vs late game analysis for that specific matchup.

Zilean matchup win rates and stats in League of Legends patch 26.10
Opponent
Win Rate
Matches
CS/min
DMG/min
Gold/game
Early WR
Late WR
49.43%1741.73688,94051.8%47.3%
43.88%1391.53698,62848.4%40.3%
55.30%1321.64008,66354.2%56.2%
46.15%1041.63869,07740.9%50.0%
50.00%1041.93679,32448.6%50.8%
52.38%841.63968,50851.1%54.0%
55.70%791.53168,27254.0%57.1%
60.26%781.73809,43961.3%59.6%
50.00%761.53598,98537.0%57.1%
53.95%761.83979,17755.9%52.4%
47.95%731.73679,07243.8%51.2%
44.29%701.53788,99542.3%45.5%
50.88%571.53237,88750.0%52.2%
49.12%571.33428,93942.9%55.2%
62.50%561.53518,36752.2%69.7%
60.00%551.83528,72856.0%63.3%
45.28%531.93868,38647.6%43.8%
34.00%502.13968,25333.3%35.0%
60.42%481.63359,09560.0%60.9%
61.70%471.63739,40257.1%65.4%
34.78%461.43907,94140.7%26.3%
52.17%461.83968,50154.2%50.0%
45.45%441.73699,23760.0%37.9%
46.51%431.74849,01161.1%36.0%
60.00%401.74049,30271.4%53.9%
50.00%361.63518,60023.5%73.7%
54.55%332.53818,75064.7%43.8%
39.29%281.53448,16235.3%45.5%
57.14%281.53969,24972.7%47.1%
45.83%241.93898,97841.7%50.0%
59.09%222.93407,94250.0%70.0%
47.62%211.53759,18825.0%61.5%
55.00%201.33388,58641.7%75.0%
38.89%184.046510,57533.3%41.7%
35.71%141.53978,55233.3%37.5%
57.14%142.041310,47860.0%55.6%
71.43%145.845211,11683.3%62.5%
30.77%132.74328,2100.0%50.0%
53.85%135.965610,23660.0%50.0%
53.85%132.64229,65160.0%50.0%
61.54%131.43549,81475.0%55.6%
23.08%132.43839,1970.0%37.5%
66.67%123.54208,67171.4%60.0%
50.00%122.843311,34525.0%62.5%
58.33%123.24149,31960.0%57.1%
18.18%111.62878,27033.3%0.0%
80.00%105.65209,50450.0%100.0%
44.44%92.639110,60350.0%42.9%
44.44%93.050411,24950.0%42.9%
44.44%91.43958,66875.0%20.0%
87.50%81.75379,76666.7%100.0%
50.00%82.442610,81450.0%50.0%
25.00%86.25169,66220.0%33.3%
87.50%82.96049,34875.0%100.0%
62.50%85.66398,43250.0%75.0%
71.43%74.26459,24466.7%75.0%
57.14%73.841510,48666.7%50.0%
42.86%71.43288,92066.7%25.0%
85.71%73.747911,1100.0%85.7%
42.86%73.53878,55075.0%0.0%
100.00%63.35428,922100.0%100.0%
33.33%63.04099,93566.7%0.0%
50.00%66.34549,65250.0%50.0%
83.33%61.23069,31666.7%100.0%
33.33%63.43979,7530.0%50.0%
50.00%65.64487,68566.7%33.3%
83.33%65.350211,292100.0%75.0%
40.00%56.370412,872100.0%0.0%
40.00%53.063610,08633.3%50.0%
60.00%54.830910,14350.0%66.7%
80.00%51.13889,31950.0%100.0%
60.00%56.14738,37975.0%0.0%
80.00%55.372813,536100.0%66.7%
60.00%53.63837,70750.0%100.0%
60.00%55.352510,21050.0%66.7%
60.00%54.86429,34166.7%50.0%
60.00%54.34769,72750.0%66.7%

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Zilean vs Caitlyn - Frequently Asked Questions

How does Zilean do against Caitlyn in League of Legends?

Caitlyn wins the Zilean vs Caitlyn matchup with a 60.0% win rate compared to Zilean's 40.0%, a 20.0 percentage point difference. This data is based on 5 recent ranked games in patch 26.10.

How does Zilean do against Caitlyn in the early game?

In the early game, Zilean has the advantage against Caitlyn with a 100.0% win rate versus 0.0%. Zilean players should look to press their lane advantage through aggressive trades and wave control during the first 15 minutes.

How does Zilean do against Caitlyn in the late game?

In the late game, Caitlyn takes over the Zilean vs Caitlyn matchup with a 100.0% win rate compared to 0.0%. Caitlyn scales better into team fights and objective contests after 25 minutes.

Who wins the Zilean vs Caitlyn matchup?

Caitlyn wins the matchup against Zilean with a 60.0% win rate in League of Legends patch 26.10. The 20.0 percentage point advantage means Caitlyn is significantly favored in this lane matchup based on 5 games analyzed.

What is the best Zilean build against Caitlyn?

The best Zilean build against Caitlyn includes optimized core items. Check the matchup breakdown above for the full item path and build order.

What are the best Zilean runes against Caitlyn?

The best Zilean runes against Caitlyn use the Sorcery primary tree with Inspiration secondary. This rune setup achieves a 100.0% win rate in the Zilean vs Caitlyn matchup. See the full rune breakdown in the matchup comparison above.

Does Zilean counter Caitlyn?

No, Zilean struggles against Caitlyn with only a 40.0% win rate. Caitlyn has the advantage in this matchup. Zilean players should focus on safe farming and avoiding extended trades to minimize Caitlyn's lead.

How do I play Zilean against Caitlyn?

When playing Zilean against Caitlyn, play cautiously and avoid Caitlyn's power spikes. Look for jungle assistance and team-dependent plays since Caitlyn has the statistical advantage at most stages. Use the matchup-specific build and runes above to optimize your chances.