Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- +Exceptional burst damage with skill combinations and passive Windstorm procs
- +High mobility through Ascend ultimate allowing multi-dash repositioning and escape
- +Strong AoE control with Twister's dual charges and Eagle Screech's wide explosion
Weaknesses
- −Vulnerable between cooldown windows; reliant on skill accuracy for damage output
- −Requires precise positioning to maximize Ascend's 3-hit chaining mechanic
- −Lacks defensive utility or healing; dies quickly if caught without ultimate available
Abilities
PWindstorm
1. Zata's 3rd auto attack deals magic damage. 2. When Zata's abilities collide, they create a Windstorm that deals continuous magic damage and causes the next auto attack to be a critical strike. 3. When Windstorm hits an enemy, it reduces Ascend's cooldown by 1s (2s if hitting a hero). If Ascend is active, cooldown reduction begins after the skill ends.
1Eagle Screech
Zata fires a magic projectile in a target direction, dealing magic damage to hit enemies. The projectile then explodes at max range, dealing magic damage in a wide area.
2Twister
Zata summons a tornado at a target location, which gradually returns to the cast point, dealing magic damage and slowing enemies for 2s. (Can stack up to 2 casts with 8-10s stack cooldown that decreases per skill level and is affected by cooldown reduction.)
RAscend
Zata unfurls her wings, converting movement into dash attacks. Dashing into enemy heroes or Zata's own abilities deals magic damage and can be recast within 3s. After 3 dashes, she takes flight and strikes all nearby enemies, dealing magic damage based on target's maximum HP. Cooldown reduction applies per dash: 1 dash 25%, 2 dashes 50%, 3 dashes 75%.
Skill Order
Priority: R > Q > W| Skill | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1Eagle Screech | 1 | · | 3 | · | 5 | · | 7 | · | 9 | · | · | · | 13 | · | · |
2Twister | · | 2 | · | 4 | · | · | · | 8 | · | 10 | · | 12 | · | 14 | · |
RAscend | · | · | · | · | · | 6 | · | · | · | · | 11 | · | · | · | 15 |
Loadout
Desolate
Spirit
StainMage
1
2
3
4
5
6Core Combos
Full Burst Combo
12REagle Screech into Twister for Windstorm proc, auto-attack for passive magic damage, then Ascend for chase and additional burst. Use when target is isolated or committed.
Dual Twister Kite
221Alternate between both Twister charges to maintain slow while repositioning, proc Windstorm with autos, finish with Eagle Screech. Ideal for kiting melee threats in skirmishes.
Ascend Reposition Chain
RRRChain all 3 Ascend dashes by hitting enemies or allies with skills between dashes. Use to escape ganks or reposition across terrain while maintaining threat.
Gameplan
Early Game
Levels 1–6- →Farm safely with Eagle Screech; avoid extended trades without Twister available for Windstorm setup
- →Position near bushes to land skill shots; low early game durability makes you vulnerable to all-ins
- →Coordinate with jungler: Ascend enables easy followup on ganks with multi-dash engagement
Mid Game
Post Broken Spear- →Spike dramatically with cooldown reduction; focus on landing Twister into Eagle Screech combos for team fight initiation
- →Control river with Twister's slow; deny enemy vision and setup picks when ultimate is available
- →Rotate to side lanes before team fights to catch isolated targets with full combo before grouping
Late Game
Teamfight phase- →Prioritize targets: hunt isolated carries; Ascend's chain-dash resets allow you to kite while dealing massive AoE damage
- →Position behind team fights; your kit excels at high-risk repositioning once fights begin—avoid being caught out
- →Use Ascend as both initiation and exit tool; engage on high-priority targets then immediately dash to safety
Matchups
Zata gets countered by
RazHis knockback and AoE stun lock down Zata mid-Ascend chain, forcing you to waste repositioning tools defensively
YornLong-range CC and anti-mobility tools shut down your approach angles; his durability lets him survive your burst
ArumGrants tankiness and CC immunity to allies while providing hard CC yourself; limits your engagement windows significantly
Zata synergizes with
TeemeeHis multi-clone engage masks your positioning, allowing you to land skills safely while he absorbs counterattack damage- LeomundusInitiates fights with ult stun, letting you follow with full Ascend chain combo on grouped enemies for guaranteed AoE burst
- JokerHis mobility chains perfectly with yours; coordinated dual-engage overwhelms backlines before enemies can peel
Pro Tips
- →Practice Windstorm timing: your 3rd auto-attack and skill collision both trigger it—chain them for sustained magic damage during fights
- →Ascend dash resets on hitting enemies with skills, not just autos. Use Eagle Screech or Twister mid-chain to extend your reach beyond initial 3 dashes
- →In high-level play, Flicker + Ascend creates unpredictable engage/escape routes. Flicker to gap-close, then dash chain away to bait cooldowns
Zata is a high-ceiling mage assassin dominating S-tier with 51.4% win rate due to exceptional burst and mobility. Pick into immobile teamfight-heavy compositions where your AoE and repositioning shine. Avoid picking into heavy CC or sustain-based teams that can survive your burst and lock you down. Demands mechanical skill but scales exceptionally in ranked with proper positioning.