Nasus vs Zed Mid Matchup

Nasus Mid wins 58.6% of 1,341 Low Elo games against Zed Mid, +4.2 points vs expected, 2-patch window 26.19-26.20.

Researched on LoL patch 26.20. Tips are written to hold at any rank; stats come from Low Elo ranked games up to patch 26.20.

Why Nasus is favored

Nasus can recover through Zed's poke while collecting Siphoning Strike(Q) stacks, and Zed players report having little lane pressure to stop that farm. Once Nasus reaches level 6, Fury of the Sands(R) adds durability and Wither(W) makes it harder for Zed to kite or finish an all-in.

How to play as Nasus

Keep collecting Siphoning Strike(Q) stacks when Zed is not threatening an all-in, then use Wither(W) and Fury of the Sands(R) to blunt his commit; Zed players describe the lane as difficult to punish and his all-in as hard to survive after level 6.

Soul Eater(P) gives Nasus life steal while he farms, and Siphoning Strike(Q) grows stronger when it kills targets; Zed players say he has trouble punishing Nasus for stacking in lane.

Wither(W) slows Zed's movement and attack speed, while Fury of the Sands(R) adds health and resistances that help Nasus survive Zed's burst.

How to play as Zed

Poke Nasus with Razor Shuriken(Q) and Shadow Slash(E) as he walks up to farm, but keep Living Shadow(W) available to retreat; do not force an all-in after he activates Fury of the Sands(R).

Sources

These notes come from r/zedmains, checked against the champions' abilities.