Akshan vs Malzahar
Skill matchup
Build vs Malzahar
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Akshan: The Collector, Infinity Edge, Lord Dominik's Regards, Berserker's Greaves, Rapid Firecannon, Hexoptics C44, Kraken Slayer, Quicksilver Sash.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Malzahar's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
When he hasn't recently taken damage or been crowd controlled, Malzahar gains massive damage reduction and crowd control immunity, lingering for a short period after taking damage.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 6s | 8s | 11s | – |
| 6 | 6s | 8s | 11s | 2m20 |
| 9 | 6s | 8s | 11s | 2m20 |
| 11 | 6s | 8s | 11s | 1m50 |
| 16 | 6s | 8s | 9s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 6s | 8s | 7s | 1m20 |
Playing as Akshan
Tips to maximize your impact
- Extend your boomerang off minions
Throw Avengerang (Q) through minions toward your opponent: each enemy hit extends its range, and it deals damage both on the way out and on the way back.
- Jump off at the right time
Jump off Heroic Swing (E) as soon as you're well placed: you don't have to finish the swing, and the jump fires one last shot.
- Kill the Scoundrel to revive allies
Focus the Scoundrels marked by Going Rogue (W) first: killing one revives the allies they killed and gives you bonus gold.
- Roam along walls
Roam with Going Rogue (W) along walls and brush: away from terrain, you lose your camouflage quickly.
Playing against Malzahar
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Get out of his portals
Get out of the Call of the Void (Q) zone quickly: its two portals fire after a short delay, and their projectiles silence you.
- Break his Void Shift first
If you have CC, hit him first with a cheap attack, then wait a moment: Void Shift (passive) still ignores CC right after the first damage.
- Avoid minions hit by his Visions
Stay away from minions hit by Malefic Visions (E): if they die, the visions jump to the nearest enemy, and his Voidlings follow them.
- Trade before he hits 6
Take your trades before he hits level 6: after that, Nether Grasp (R) can lock you down from range while his team hits you.
- Focus him during his Grasp
When he casts Nether Grasp (R) on an ally, focus him: he channels in place, and any CC interrupts him and frees your ally.
Other Akshan matchups
Patch 16.21.1