Mastering Zata: Overcoming Nerfs and Dominating Season 3, 2023

Zata, although classified as a Mage, is no different from an Assassin that can terrify even Warriors, possessing formidable damage potential, decent mobility, and the ability to reset skills with proper combos. Known as the angel of death, this champion always instills fear in the hearts of enemy teams whenever he takes flight.

He has been a notable figure in recent seasons, currently holding the top spot in ban rates in solo queue due to his stacked damage layers, innate abilities, and percentage-based maximum health damage. In response, adjustments have been made to reduce his power, balancing the game and creating opportunities for Zata to appear more frequently in ranked matches. Let's delve into these adjustments to see if they affect Zata's popularity and explore the necessary changes in playstyle and suitable equipment to effectively play this hero in Season 3 - 2023.

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Zata's Abilities

Innate - Deadly Aura 

This is one of the most potent innate abilities of the hero. Triggering Deadly Aura with the third consecutive normal attack or the stacking of 2 of Zata's abilities inflicts significant damage. Additionally, this innate ability reduces ability cooldowns, decreasing by 2 seconds upon damaging enemy champions (halved against non-champion targets). It is one of the defining characteristics of Zata's identity, allowing him to soar through team fights with multiple casts of his third ability.

Ability 1 - Cry of the Falcon

This is the first ability in this champion's combo. Cry of the Falcon enables Zata to launch an explosive projectile forward, causing an explosion at the furthest location within the ability's range. When combined with ability 2, this triggers his innate ability, allowing him to quickly clear minions and harass enemy champions in the early stages of the match.

Ability 2 - Dragon's Spout

The next ability allows Zata to create a vortex at the designated location and return to his initial position. With a 2-charge slow effect, prioritize this ability early in the game to efficiently clear minions. Combining abilities 2 and 1 optimizes damage against enemy champions. As Dragon's Spout has 2 charges, ensure to accumulate charges before executing Zata's combo.

Ability 3 - Celestial Flight

This is the final ability in the champion's combo and also his signature move. With high mobility, this ability allows Zata to glide multiple times upon reaching 5 stacks, avoiding being targeted while dealing percentage-based maximum health damage to enemies. This ability completes Zata's kit, enabling multiple engagements with 20 stacks of his innate ability.

Rune, Support, Enchantment Table

Rune Table

• 10 Red Runes III Ability Power/Magic Penetration
• 10 Purple Runes III Attack Speed/Movement Speed
• 10 Green Runes III Magic Penetration/Attack Speed

Zata possesses high mobility and immense single-target burst damage, so this rune setup will maximize his damage potential. With significant ability power and magic penetration from the rune table, Zata can easily apply pressure to the enemy team with his soaring attacks.

Support

• Swift Shift
• Purification
• Decimation

As a Mage/Assassin primarily played in the Mid lane, players can utilize Swift Shift on Zata to facilitate swift engages or secure safe disengages. Additionally, players may opt for Purification when facing teams with heavy crowd control. Alternatively, Decimation can be used to swiftly finish off enemy teams due to their resilience.

Enchantment

In the upcoming update, Zata has experienced significant setbacks in terms of ability cooldown and damage output. Here are some of the most effective enchantment setups, along with a few new enchantments you can try for Zata.

• Primary Branch (Illuminated Tower): Holy Beacon - Penetrating Vision - Divine Assurance
• Secondary Branch (Abyssal Abyss): Infernal Inferno - Mighty Strikes

Optimal Build for Damage Output

• Primary Branch (Abyssal Abyss): Infernal Inferno - Mighty Strikes - Curse
• Secondary Branch (Illuminated Tower): Contrast - Penetrating Vision

Optimal Build for Cooldown Reduction (Test before using in ranked matches)

• Primary Branch (Abyssal Abyss): Infernal Inferno - Mighty Strikes - Calculus
• Secondary Branch (Illuminated Tower): Holy Beacon - Penetrating Vision

Equipment

Due to significant reduction in damage output and cooldown reduction, the item build for the hero Zata in this version will focus on rapid cooldown reduction for the hero. Prioritize items with high magic damage instead of semi-tank builds: 

Arcane Boots/Sorcerer's Shoes - Berith's Agony Mask - Skadi's Eye Band - Hecate's Diadem - Chaos Crucible - Frosty's Revenge/Aegis of the Legion

Sorcerer's Shoes will help optimize Zata's cooldown reduction. However, if your team has too many stuns, you can replace them with a pair of Arcane Boots to avoid being stunned for too long.

Advice 1

Most Effective Way to Play Zata in Season 3, 2023

In the early game phase, prioritize Skill 2 to maximize its double damage output, aiding in efficient minion clearing. Afterwards, players can contest the river crab in mid lane to bolster their resources or rotate to the Dragon lane to apply early pressure on the enemy Marksman. Once the second wave of minions is cleared and players reach level 4, it's Zata's prime time. Utilize this to increase pressure on the opposing team by ganking as much as possible.

Mid-game is a pivotal time, so consistently rotate for ganks and strive to maximize personal resources as Zata thrives during this phase. The earlier you secure three disruptive items, the more impactful each engagement will be. Seize opportunities to control major objectives, pressure the enemy team's towers, and steal jungle camps to widen the gold gap and snowball the match.

As you approach the late game phase, Zata begins to weaken as the enemy team acquires considerable magic resistance items and their main carries become formidable enough to fend for themselves. Therefore, Zata players should leverage the advantage provided by his ultimate ability to effectively dodge damage and flank enemy Marksmen during team fights.

Strategy Note for Zata in Season 3, 2023

Conclusion

So there we have it, a detailed exploration of the most effective way to play Zata in Season 3, 2023. Hopefully, the insights shared above will help you gain more experience in mastering this soaring eagle.