Xin Zhao vs Locke Counter Pick

Across 1,045 games on patch 16.13.1, this sample is one of the more dependable readings available for this matchup, and it gives Xin Zhao 57.8%.

Locke carries the bigger frame on paper: 655 base health growing to 2,508, against 620 and 2,422 for Xin Zhao. His armor is the weaker figure, starting at 32 and reaching 103.4, while Xin Zhao hits 109.8. Locke’s damage is also divided. Silver Stake deals magic damage on hit, scaling with how much health the target has lost, so the physical stat line undersells how much of his output ignores armor. Against a duelist who heals through Determination, that execute window is his strongest path.

The real issue is range and commitment. Ashen Pursuit teleports him and then dashes to the next target. It opens fights well but offers little once Xin Zhao is already latched on through Audacious Charge, with a Challenged mark from Wind Becomes Lightning. Soul Ignition spends Locke’s health for attack speed and movement speed, so he often begins a skirmish below full. Purgatory only pays off when he seals enemies away. Xin Zhao runs at 345 to Locke’s 340 and needs nothing beyond a straight, drawn-out duel, where Determination restores health on every third connected attack and steadily outlasts an opener that hurts its user. Difficulty ratings of 2 and 5 suggest the simpler approach holds up.