Ziggs is one of the oldest champions in League of Legends. I remember the early seasons when he was one of the best mid laners and Faker bombarding everyone with him.
But even though those days are behind us, Ziggs is still a great pick, both for mid and bot lane. His ability kit is strong but a bit confusing too.
So, let’s start by answering the first question: Is Ziggs AP or AD?
Is Ziggs AP or AD?
Ziggs is a mage which means that he is an AP champion. He only deals magic damage, and all of his abilities scale with AP.
All players go for a full AP build on Ziggs and purchase the same items – Liandry’s Anguish, Morellonomicon, and Rabadon’s Deathcap.
Like all other “classic” mages in LoL, Ziggs doesn’t allow for too much diversity. Sure, you can change his mythic to Luden’s Tempest or add Zhonya’s Hourglass or Banshee’s Veil to his build.
However, Ziggs is still only played with AP items and not with AD.
Personally, I’ve never even tried to go for a cheesy AD build on Ziggs. And this is one of my most played champions (500,000+ Mastery) with whom I’ve climbed to Diamond on two accounts.
Even Ziggs’ auto-attacks get empowered by AP, so you really have no reason to go for AD items on this champion.
That said, let’s check the AP scalings on all of Ziggs’ abilities.
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Ziggs’ Abilities and AP Ratios Explained
Passive – Short Fuse
Every 12 seconds, Ziggs’ next basic attack gets empowered and deals 20 − 160 (based on level) bonus magic damage, plus 60% of his total AP.
This damage is increased by 150% against structures, such as turrets.
Q – Bouncing Bomb
Ziggs throws a Bouncing Bomb in a target direction that deals 85 / 135 / 185 / 235 / 285, plus 65% AP magic damage to the primary target and all nearby enemies.
W – Satchel Charge
Ziggs puts a Satchel Charge on the ground to detonate at will, either to damage enemies or to launch himself in a chosen direction. If Satchel Charge explodes next to an enemy, it knocks them back and deals 70 / 105 / 140 / 175 / 210, plus 50% AP magic damage.
Additionally, Ziggs can execute turrets by exploding the Satchel charge near them when they are beneath 25 / 27.5 / 30 / 32.5 / 35% of their maximum health.
E – Hexplosive Mindfield
Hexplosive Mindfield is an AoE ability that Ziggs can cast on the ground. When enemies step the mines, they get slowed by 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50% and receive 30 / 70 / 110 / 150 / 190, plus 30% AP magic damage.
R – Mega Inferno Bomb
And Ziggs’ ultimate is a large AoE bomb that he can cast from a great distance. Upon landing, it damages all enemies for 200 / 300 / 400, plus 73.33% AP magic damage.
However, this damage is increased by 50% if the enemies are in the center of the Mega Inferno Bomb.
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Should You Play AP Ziggs in Mid or Bot?
Is Ziggs Mid better than Ziggs Bot?
Nowadays, it’s better to play ADC Ziggs in the bot lane than in the mid lane. Ziggs has many bad matchups in the mid lane (Yasuo, Yone, Katarina), and he struggles in the laning phase.
But in the bot lane, Ziggs can play with a support to protect him and let him scale. His damage is great nonetheless.
The reason why you don’t see too many high-elo players taking Ziggs in the mid lane is that it’s damn difficult. Most opponents will punish Ziggs for his lack of mobility and defensive spells.
Sure the champion has range and damage, but the laning phase is often a walk through hell.
Many players describe Ziggs as an artillery mage, which simply means he can deal magic damage without an end.
He can constantly throw his bombs and nuke turrets, allowing your team to push. This makes Ziggs an excellent bot laner and a great ADC (APC).
And here are the best supports for Ziggs bot lane.
Read Also: Full AP Ezreal Build Guide
What Should I Build on Ziggs?
What should I build on Ziggs? Here’s the best Ziggs build for mid and bot lane:
Starting items:
- Doran’s Ring – grants mana regeneration and helps you last hit the minions.
- 2 x Health Potion – allows you to refill a portion of your lost HP.
Core items:
- Liandry’s Anguish – grants you all the necessary stats you need as a mage and burns your targets with additional damage when you hit them with an ability.
- Morellonomicon – applies the Grevious Wounds effect, lowering the healing potential of your enemy.
- Rabadon’s Deathcap – increases your Ability Power by 35% and makes your abilities hit harder.
- Void Staff – grants you 40% Magic Penetration, which is perfect for the late game.
Situational items:
- Horizon Focus – allows you to deal more damage to enemies that are far away.
- Zhonya’s Hourglass – gives you the Stasis effect and some bonus Armor.
- Demonic Embrace – grants you another burn effect that does more damage the tankier the enemy champion is.
- Banshee’s Veil – protects you from the next incoming crowd control or damage ability every 40 seconds.
Boots:
- Sorcerer’s Shoes – stocks you with enough Magic Penetration for the early game.
What runes does Ziggs use? The best rune page for Ziggs mid and bot lane:
Rune page:
- Arcane Comet – is a great keystone for poking and dominating the laning phase.
- Manaflow Band – increases your maximum mana and gives you mana regeneration.
- Transcendence – grants you a total of 10 Ability Haste, plus it refreshes the cooldown of your abilities by 20% in a team fight.
- Scorch – burns your target when you damage them with an ability every 10 seconds.
- Presence of Mind – restores a big portion of your mana when you score a kill/assist.
- Coup de Grace – allows you to deal increased damage against enemies below 40% HP.
Conclusion
Ziggs isn’t a difficult champion to understand once you look into his build, runes, and abilities. In summary, Ziggs is an AP mage in LoL that deals AoE magic damage.
You can easily counter him with an assassin, and you should play him in the bot lane more than the mid lane.
That said, I hope I helped you understand if Ziggs is AP or AD and how the champion works in the game.
Peace!
