Zaahen vs Gwen Counter Pick

Zaahen and Gwen arrive with almost the same body: 640 health against 620, 63 attack damage each, 2,578 against 2,575 at level 18. The separation lies in damage type and in one ability. Gwen’s output is mixed, with A Thousand Cuts adding magic damage scaled to the target’s health and healing her for part of it, meaning Zaahen’s 121 armor at maximum level answers only half of what she does. His 32 magic resistance is the stat that actually decides trades, and 389 games on patch 16.13.1 return 45.5% for him.

The ability is Hallowed Mist. Inside it Gwen can only be targeted by enemies who step in, and Zaahen’s engage tools, Aureate Rush to dash and slice or Dreaded Return to stab and pull, both require him to be the one closing distance. Entering the mist to reach her is the trap; refusing to enter surrenders the wave. Skip ‘n Slash grants attack speed and extra attack range on a dash, extending her 150 base reach at the exact moment he wants out. His counterweight is Cultivation of War, which pays for staying in contact, and a difficulty rating of 2 against her 5. Gwen also starts with more armor, 39 against 36, and finishes at 122.3 against 121, so his physical damage never finds the opening it would against a mage. Gwen’s scaling is set out on her champion entry.