Switching from a support role to a first-floor hero can backfire, as Zhuang Zhou's crowd control immunity strategy becomes apparent.

Picking the first pick is too risky. Without a clear counter, there's no way to start. When filling a role, you can refer to your teammates' and opponents' picks to create a combination, and even save the game, turn the tide, and launch an overwhelming counterattack. Unless you're desperate or worried, you can't let your favorite pick be taken, so you should bravely click to help pick. Getting your main is easy, but the price is being targeted by all five other players. To avoid the risk, not only should you avoid picking the top lane warrior, but also your team's strongest support. Once the support pick is revealed, it immediately determines the direction of the game, and you can forget about having a good gaming experience. In this episode, we'll talk about the supports you shouldn't pick in the first pick.

Zhuang Zhou: Focus Fire

What information does Zhuang Zhou's appearance convey? His greatest value lies in his ability to remove crowd control effects. Generally, he's reserved for the fifth pick to counter control-heavy lineups like Wang Zhaojun, Angela, Diaochan, and Lu Bu—a bunch of wide-area crowd control champions. In crucial moments, Zhuang Zhou easily neutralizes the opponent's initiation. Picking him first is a disaster; it leaves you without a specific strategy. With only one ability to remove negative effects and a weak shield, he's practically useless. Simply put, Zhuang Zhou's "Dream Butterfly" strategy is a veiled message to the enemy: "Don't pick control champions!" Playing him like a sleepwalker, standing in the front tanking damage like a harmless fish swimming aimlessly in the river, ultimately only hurts yourself.

Zhang Liang: Demolishing the Fire

Ironically, Zhuang Zhou, once hailed as the hard counter to Zhang Liang, is still easily countered years later with his ultimate ability at his disposal. He can bind Zhang Liang in place, focus fire on him within seconds, and send him straight back to the fountain. His dominance is unparalleled, the strongest in the Rift, unmatched by anyone except Donghuang Taiyi, whose casting process can be interrupted, rendering many agile and dive-in heroes useless. Whenever attacking a marksman, one must first ask teammates if they remember Zhang Liang has his ultimate ready. The drawback of this support is limited crowd control. With pre-selection, opponents won't blindly engage; they'll switch tactics to disrupt the enemy's attacks. Control is low-cost. If you have a unique skill like Wu Zetian's magic orb or Cai Wenji's sonic wave, a squishy hero who can't be controlled is expected to be counter-killed. Zhang Liang risks his life to create an advantage for his teammates. Against such a lineup, would you still dare to casually use your ultimate?

Donghuang Taiyi faces entirely different risks. He is a tank, and his bite will not stop. His biggest fear is that he will not be able to deal enough damage to kill someone. Therefore, Zhang Liang should always be reserved for the last pick.

Image source: Internet