Zetian, the newest mage hero in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), has taken the community by storm with her game-changing abilities and celestial backstory. Unlockable through the ongoing Shendu Festival event (June 18 to July 4), she's already being hailed as a potential game-breaker. But what makes Zetian so special, and should you add her to your roster?

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To get a true pro’s perspective, we turned to Kiroshi, a top-tier MLBB player on the Philippine server. He’s got some serious insights on how she stacks up against the competition. Keep reading for everything you need to know about her abilities, best builds, counters, and whether she’s worth unlocking.

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Zetian's Kit: Overpowered, Balanced, or Underwhelming?

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Zetian’s kit has been a hot topic ever since her release, and for good reason. According to Kiroshi, she feels borderline overpowered, especially in coordinated play. The star of her arsenal? Her global stun ultimate. With it, Zetian can control the entire map, setting up easy kills for her teammates. Plus, her burst magic combo can wipe out squishier enemies before they even realize what hit them.

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That said, Kiroshi points out that without proper positioning or follow-up from your team, Zetian can feel a little exposed. So while she’s strong, she’s not brain-dead easy to play. A good balance between raw power and situational weakness.

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Zetian vs. Recent Support/Mage Heroes

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Zetian’s global hard CC (crowd control) puts her in a class of her own compared to recent heroes like Novaria or Xavier. While those mages focus on zoning or burst damage, Zetian has a presence on the map that’s hard to ignore. Kiroshi calls it a disruptive playstyle that impacts fights before they even start.

Her utility as a mage trumps most traditional supports, and her map pressure can rival heavy hitters like Yve or Floryn.

What Builds Are You Testing for Zetian?

If you’re planning on playing Zetian, Kiroshi has some solid recommendations for both her emblem and item builds:

1. Emblem: Go for the Mage Emblem. Pick Impure Rage or Lethal Ignition, depending on your style. If you prefer more poke damage and mana sustain, go for Impure Rage. If you’re after pure burst, Lethal Ignition is your go-to.

2. Item Build:

• Clock of Destiny → for scaling damage.
  
  
• Lightning Truncheon → maximizes burst.
  
  
• Genius Wand → for shredding defense.
  
  
• Divine Glaive → great against tanks.
  
  
• Ice Queen Wand → slow to help land skills.
  
  
• Enchanted Talisman → cooldown reduction (CDR) and mana regen.
  
  
  

This combination gives you the best of both worlds: burst + utility + CDR for continuous global pressure.

Will Zetian Make Her Way into Ranked Matches?

Absolutely. Zetian has already made waves in high-rank games, and her synergies with other heroes make her a perfect pick for certain compositions. Kiroshi suggests pairing her with global initiators like Yu Zhong, Lapu-Lapu, and Fredrinn. Her ultimate works wonders when your team can dive in immediately after the stun lands.

For an even better synergy, consider heroes like Ling and Hayabusa, who can capitalize on the CC. Roamers with lockdown like Lolita, Atlas, or Khufra will make Zetian’s map control even more dangerous.

Zetian’s Biggest Counters

Despite her power, Zetian isn’t invincible. She’s vulnerable to high-mobility heroes like Hayabusa and Lancelot, who can easily dodge her skill shots. Other key counters include:

• Kaja: Can interrupt her ult with Divine Judgment.
  
  
• Natalia and Helcurt: Both can silence her, preventing her from using her skills effectively.
  
  
• Flicker and Purify can also nullify her stun, especially in tight situations.
  
  
  

She can also be shut down with aggressive jungle pressure early on, so don’t expect her to be unkillable in the early game.

What Role Will Zetian Play in Meta Drafts?

Kiroshi predicts that Zetian will most likely be drafted as a hybrid DPS mage in the mid-lane, but her utility could make her a valuable support hero as well. Teams might even flex her into a second roamer for some interesting compositions, thanks to her global presence. Her ultimate doesn't require her to be near the action, giving her unique flexibility in pro/meta drafts.

Tips for Unlocking Zetian for Free

Want to unlock Zetian without spending diamonds? Kiroshi has a few tips for completing the Shendu Festival event fast:

• Grind Classic games for easy wins and quick point accumulation.
  
  
• Team up with friends to complete synergy missions (like stuns and assists).
  
  
• Focus on daily logins and use energy wisely to complete event missions.
  
  
• Use heroes with similar skill types to Zetian to farm parallel missions.
  
  
  

Does Zetian’s Lore Add Depth to the MLBB Universe?

Zetian’s backstory may not change the world of MLBB lore, but it does give her a solid identity as the Celestial Empress. Her imperial theme gives her an air of royalty, and while it’s mostly aesthetic for now, the lore could expand in the future. If MLBB ties her to other dynasty-based heroes, her story could become a much bigger part of the game’s world.

Community Reaction: Classic vs. Ranked

Currently, Classic mode is flooded with Zetian players trying out the new hero, but she’s already popping up in Ranked matches as well. The general community reaction? As Kiroshi says, “She’s busted if used right.” Zetian is a high-skill ceiling hero that can change the game if played correctly.

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So, should you unlock Zetian?

Zetian isn’t the easiest hero to pick up, and Kiroshi agrees that she’s better suited for intermediate to experienced players. She requires map awareness, timing, and synergy with teammates. For newcomers to MLBB, Zetian might be a tough pick unless they’re willing to put in the time to learn.

And if you want to level up your game quickly, head over to the Carry1st Shop to grab the MLBB Diamonds you need for a smooth start. Whether you’re playing for fun or climbing the ranks, Zetian could be the hero you’ve been looking for.

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Wrapping Up: Zetian's Potential in MLBB

Zetian is a hero that could shake up the Mobile Legends meta for a while, thanks to her unique abilities and disruptive playstyle. If you’re looking to give her a go, be sure to check out the Shendu Festival event for your chance to unlock her for free, or grab some in-game currency through the Carry1st Shop for a top-up — you’ll need it to get her full potential.

The general consensus? Zetian is a game-changer — but only if you know how to use her. Be prepared to experiment with her builds and synergies, because once you get the hang of her, she might just become your go-to pick in both Ranked and Classic.

Ready to take your MLBB game to the next level? Zetian might just be the hero you need.

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