Zed & Tristana Synergy

Why this duo works

The kit-based explanation is that Zed's Death Mark gives the duo access to a priority target and Tristana can follow with Rocket Jump and Explosive Charge for a separate burst window. Tristana's Buster Shot gives her a way to peel if the fight turns back onto her, so she can follow the dive without sharing Zed's escape route. This is a kit-based explanation of the observed synergy, not proof of its cause.

Measured in High Elo: this duo wins 1.4pp more often than expected over 1,051 games.

Playing the duo

An independent Zed-jungle duo table also lists Tristana among his strongest lane partners; that separate result supports the pair's performance but does not establish why it works. (Unverified: no source confirms this note.)

Death Mark(R) stores and repeats a portion of Zed's own damage after three seconds, while Tristana's Explosive Charge(E) is a separate timed burst; coordinating the two concentrates damage without making Tristana's damage part of Zed's mark.

How to play as Zed

Choose a target Tristana can reach before using Death Mark; her Rocket Jump and Explosive Charge can follow your dive and add a second burst window.

How to play as Tristana

Follow Zed's Death Mark with Rocket Jump and Explosive Charge to focus one target. Keep Buster Shot for peel if the target survives so you do not knock it out of Zed's reach before his mark detonates.

Sources

These notes come from winrate.lol, checked against the champions' abilities.