Until level 9 Kayle is a squishy melee scaler, so Razor Shuriken (Q) poke and Living Shadow (W) engage all-ins crush her early.

Before level 5 Kassadin is an extremely fragile melee mage, so constant Razor Shuriken (Q) poke keeps pressuring his farm and health.

Ryze is a squishy mage with no reliable escape, so a Living Shadow (W) - Shadow Slash (E) - Razor Shuriken (Q) combo capped with Death Mark (R) bursts him instantly.

Living Shadow (W) harass and lane priority disrupt Nasus's Siphoning Strike (Q) stacking and lock down his early scaling.

Smolder is a hollow-early scaling marksman, so before he stacks, a Living Shadow (W) engage into a Shadow Slash (E) - Razor Shuriken (Q) combo bursts and overwhelms him.

Malphite's armor and Granite Shield (P) negate most of Zed's physical burst, and he counter-engages with Unstoppable Force (R).

Wind Wall (W) blocks Razor Shuriken (Q) entirely to neutralize poke, and the Way of the Wanderer (P) shield gives him the edge in trades.

Aegis Assault (E) blocks autos and Razor Shuriken (Q), and a Shield Vault (W) stun combo interrupts Zed's damage for an early all-in advantage.

Renekton overwhelms Zed in lane trades with an early powerful Ruthless Predator (W) stun and Reign of Anger (P) fueled burst.

Perseverance (P) regen heals off Razor Shuriken (Q) poke, and Decisive Strike (Q) silence shuts down Zed's combo at the source.