Hey guys! Ready to dive deep into the world of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang? We're gonna break down everything you need to know about one of the game's most iconic heroes, Zilong, and how he shines in the competitive scene, especially with the influence of PSEII and MPL. Get ready to level up your game!

Understanding Zilong: The Spear of Paradise

Alright, let's kick things off by getting to know Zilong, the Spear of Paradise. This dude is a classic and for good reason! Zilong is a melee fighter known for his incredible mobility, high single-target damage, and the ability to chase down enemies with ease. He is a hyper-carry hero, excelling in the late game when he has all his core items. Zilong's kit is pretty straightforward, making him relatively easy to pick up but difficult to master. Understanding his skills is the key to dominating matches. So, let’s get into it:

• Passive - Dragon Flurry: Zilong gains extra attack speed with each basic attack, stacking up to five times. This is crucial for maximizing his damage output, especially in team fights. Make sure you're auto-attacking constantly to keep those stacks up!
• Skill 1 - Spear Flip: This is Zilong's engage tool. He flips an enemy hero, dealing damage and knocking them airborne. Use this to initiate fights, disrupt enemy positioning, or set up kills for your team. Be mindful of the cooldown though, and don't engage without backup!
• Skill 2 - Spear Strike: Zilong charges towards a target, dealing damage and slowing them. If the target is knocked airborne by Spear Flip, this skill deals bonus damage. Use this skill to chase down fleeing enemies or to close the distance quickly. This is also how you can escape from certain situations.
• Ultimate - Supreme Warrior: Zilong enhances his movement speed and attack speed and becomes immune to slow effects. This skill turns Zilong into a whirlwind of damage. It's best used to chase enemies, dive into team fights, or secure objectives. When this is active, Zilong is a monster. When this is active, the game is on!

Mastering Zilong involves understanding when to engage, how to position yourself in team fights, and knowing your item build. He is most effective when he can catch out an enemy and eliminate them quickly. Remember, practice is key! Play a few games to get the hang of his skills and playstyle. Experiment with different builds and strategies to find what works best for you.

Why Zilong? His Strengths and Weaknesses

So, why should you even consider playing Zilong? Well, here are some of his key strengths:

• High Single-Target Damage: Zilong can burst down squishy targets incredibly fast, making him a major threat to enemy carries.
• Excellent Mobility: With his ultimate and Spear Strike, Zilong can close the distance and chase down enemies with ease.
• Strong Split-Pushing: He can quickly clear minion waves and take down towers, putting pressure on the enemy team.
• Relatively Easy to Learn: His straightforward kit makes him accessible to new players.

However, Zilong does have some weaknesses you need to be aware of:

• Vulnerable to Crowd Control: He can be easily stunned, silenced, or knocked up, which can shut down his ultimate and leave him vulnerable.
• Weak Early Game: Zilong is heavily reliant on farming and scaling into the late game. He can struggle in the early game if he gets behind.
• Can Be Kited: His reliance on closing the distance makes him vulnerable to heroes with strong kiting abilities.

PSEII and MPL: The Competitive Arena

Alright, let's talk about the big leagues! PSEII (Philippines eSports & Entertainment Incorporated) and MPL (Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League) are where the best of the best compete. These tournaments showcase top-tier gameplay, strategy, and teamwork. Witnessing how pros play Zilong can teach you a lot about his potential. PSEII and MPL are awesome platforms, and many talents are discovered here.

Zilong in the Meta: How He Fits In

Zilong's viability in the competitive scene fluctuates depending on the meta. He isn't always a top-tier pick, but he can be a strong choice when the meta favors split-pushing or single-target burst. He often appears in the lower ranks of pro games. Top teams may use Zilong as a counter-pick against certain team compositions. He can be very effective against squishy heroes that rely on positioning. The key is understanding how to adapt his build and playstyle to suit the current meta.

Pro Player Strategies and Builds

Let’s dive into some of the tricks of the trade, shall we? One of the best ways to improve is to watch pro players. Observe how they build Zilong, the items they choose, and their playstyle in different situations. Here are some general recommendations you'll see in the pro scene:

• Core Items: A typical Zilong build will include items like Hunter Strike, Endless Battle, Blade of Despair, and Immortality. These items provide a mix of damage, sustain, and survivability, allowing him to burst down targets and survive team fights.
• Early Game Focus: Pro players often prioritize farming and securing objectives in the early game. They’ll look for opportunities to gank and get kills but focus on scaling up.
• Team Fight Role: In team fights, Zilong usually dives in, targeting the enemy backline to eliminate their carries. Then he focuses on surviving and getting as much damage as he can!
• Adaptation is Key: Pro players are always adapting their builds and strategies based on the enemy composition and the current meta. Watch the replays and see how the pros make decisions! Take notes and apply it in your matches!

Building Zilong: Items, Emblems, and Spells

To make Zilong a monster, you need to build him right. Let’s talk about some must-have items, emblems, and spells.

Itemization: The Right Gear for Zilong

Choosing the right items is super important for Zilong’s success. Here’s a basic item build that works in most situations:

• Warrior Boots / Tough Boots: These boots give Zilong extra defense and resilience. The right boots will depend on the enemy team composition.
• Hunter Strike: Provides attack damage, cooldown reduction, and movement speed. It's great for chasing down enemies.
• Endless Battle: Gives a mix of stats, including attack damage, lifesteal, and cooldown reduction. It also has a passive that boosts his basic attacks after using a skill.
• Blade of Despair: Boosts his attack damage significantly. It also has a passive that increases his damage against enemies with low HP.
• Immortality: Provides extra survivability, allowing Zilong to revive after death.
• Malefic Roar: Provides attack damage and armor penetration, making him more effective against tanky enemies.

Emblems and Spells: Powering Up Zilong

Emblems and spells are what completes your build. Here's a look at emblems and spells that are great for Zilong:

• Emblems: You typically use the Festival of Blood emblem to get extra life steal, or a Fighter Emblem to provide extra damage. Make sure you level up the emblem to get more attributes.
• Spells: Retribution is a must-have spell, as it helps Zilong farm faster and secure objectives. Flicker can be used to engage, escape, or reposition in team fights.

Advanced Zilong Gameplay: Tips and Tricks

Want to take your Zilong game to the next level? Here are some advanced tips and tricks.

Engaging and Disengaging: The Art of the Dive

Zilong is all about finding the right moment to strike. Use Spear Flip to initiate fights or to catch out enemies who are out of position. Be aware of the enemy’s crowd control abilities and try to avoid getting locked down. Also, the time to disengage is knowing when to retreat. If the fight is going south, don't be afraid to back off. Use your ultimate and Spear Strike to escape.

Split-Pushing Strategies: Pressure and Patience

Split-pushing involves pushing lanes while the rest of your team is occupied. Zilong is great at this because of his mobility and ability to take down towers quickly. Push lanes when the enemy team is occupied elsewhere. Be mindful of the map and be ready to retreat if the enemy team starts to rotate on you.

Team Fight Tactics: Maximize Your Impact

In team fights, Zilong’s role is to dive into the enemy backline and eliminate their carries. Use Spear Flip to target a high-priority target, such as the enemy marksman or mage. Then use your ultimate and basic attacks to burst them down. Be prepared to use Flicker to reposition yourself if needed. Prioritize the squishier enemies, and try to take down the carries before the tanks do.

Adapting to the Meta and Countering Zilong

Mobile Legends is a dynamic game, and the meta is always changing. Here’s how you can stay ahead of the curve.

Staying Up-to-Date: Meta Changes and Patch Notes

Keep an eye on patch notes to see what changes are being made to heroes, items, and emblems. Try to anticipate how these changes will affect Zilong’s viability in the meta. Watching pro players and streamers can help you understand how they adapt to these changes. Following the pros in MPL and PSEII is a great place to start.

Counters and Threats: Dealing with the Enemy

Zilong is not unstoppable, and he has several counters. Some heroes that can give him a hard time include:

• Heroes with strong crowd control: Heroes like Franco, Tigreal, and Khufra can shut down Zilong and prevent him from using his ultimate.
• Heroes with high burst damage: Mages like Eudora and Harith can quickly eliminate Zilong before he can react.
• Heroes who can kite: Heroes with good mobility like Beatrix, Claude, or Wanwan can make it difficult for Zilong to catch them.

If you find yourself going up against Zilong, consider building items that provide crowd control resistance or defense. Pay attention to his positioning, and try to avoid getting caught out of position.

Conclusion: Become the Spear of Paradise

Alright, you made it to the end! Zilong can be a beast if you understand his mechanics, build him right, and adapt to the ever-changing meta. Remember to practice, learn from your mistakes, and keep improving your gameplay. Watch pro players, experiment with different strategies, and most importantly, have fun! Go out there and dominate the battlefield, guys! Good luck and see you on the Land of Dawn!