How to win lane as Vladimir against Zaahen · 52.19% win rate over 1,508 Emerald+ games · Updated 2026-07-27
| Stage | Favoured | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Even / skill | Level 1 is an even poke lane with no committal tools online for either side. |
| Level 2 | Even / skill | Level 2 stays neutral - you trade pokes but neither of you can commit. |
| Level 3 | Even / skill | Level 3 is a skill fight: your Q poke and Transfusion sustain offset his glaive, and your E zoning holds the line. |
| Levels 4-5 | Even / skill | Levels 4-5 remain a skill check - your low base HP and his burst balance against your healing. |
| Level 6 | Even / skill | Level 6 stays even: your Hemoplague amp versus his R lockdown comes down to execution. |
| First item | Vladimir | On your first AP item you spike ahead - Q and E become real burst and Pool dodges his all-in. |
| Two+ items | Vladimir | Two items in you are a scaling drain-tank whose Pool and lifesteal make you the stronger sustained duelist. |
Levels 1-2 are an even poke lane - nothing committal is online for either of you, so trade Q for Q and keep the wave in a safe spot. Level 3 through 5 stays a skill check: his glaive poke stings against your low base HP, but Transfusion undoes it and your E charge zones him off free engages.
The full Vladimir vs Zaahen report continues with the mid-game plan, the late-game and teamfight plan, every power spike to play around, and the win conditions for both sides — plus cooldown tracking and the live enemy-jungle tracker inside the app.
Become a Founding Member — $1.99/month →🔒 Secure checkout · 💰 7-day money-back guarantee · ✋ Cancel anytime
Early Access price — $3.99/month for new members after launch.
Playing the other side? Zaahen vs Vladimir guide →
All Vladimir top lane matchups →