Farm through the first safe crash

0:00–14:00, especially the wave-2 level race and every crash-before-recall window

Prioritize CS, health, and a wave state that lets you recall without donating a full wave. If your duo can push safely, contest the level-2 race and use the first priority window to crash before recalling; if Zeri is being pressured, take short trades around enemy cooldowns and avoid spending Spark Surge merely to touch the wave. Transition when the first tower or plate pressure changes lane access: preserve farm, then move with the next objective timer rather than grouping mid without a reason.

Lane

Make the level-2 race buy Zeri time

If the first two waves are contestable and your duo can reach level 2 first, then push for the wave-2 melee-minion window and threaten a short trade as Zeri approaches the wave. If the enemy reaches level 2 first, give up the exposed last hits until your duo catches up; Zeri's early plan is to preserve health and reach reliable item-based DPS, not to force an equal all-in into a level deficit.

With Zeri

• Give Zeri a lane state she can farm: if your duo is stronger early, push for level 2 and crash before recalling; if the enemy all-in is stronger, protect the wave and let her take safe experience rather than starting a fight inside a large enemy wave. Supports should shape the wave deliberately, then roam only after a crash when the return path is clear.
• In mid game, make her farm assignment predictable. If the next objective is more than 30 seconds away, let Zeri collect a safe side wave and rotate after pushing; if the timer is close, hold the vision line and leave the dangerous wave to a champion who can escape. Do not spend the whole team grouped mid while her income is available elsewhere.
• In teamfights, play around the space Zeri needs to keep hitting. If the enemy engage has not arrived, stand between Zeri and the likely entry and force opponents to cross your threat; if they dive, peel first and let her attack the nearest safe target. Her Lightning Crash gains value when she can repeatedly hit champions, not when she is forced to chase alone.
• When Zeri is ahead, convert her safe DPS into towers, waves, and objectives rather than asking her to face-check or lead a flank. If she is behind, create short, visible setups around vision and let her scale through uncontested farm. A low-elo-friendly plan is to protect her life and give her a clear target, not to require perfect synchronized spell combos.