LeBlanc vs Malzahar
Skill matchup
Build vs Malzahar
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for LeBlanc: Luden's Echo, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Stormsurge, Dark Seal, Zhonya's Hourglass, Banshee's Veil.
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 LeBlanc
Tips to maximize your impact
- Pop your sigil with a spell
After Sigil of Malice (Q), hit the target with another ability: the sigil only detonates on a spell, not on an auto.
- Distortion in, then come back
Take your trades with Distortion (W): within 4 seconds, recast it to return to where you started.
- Keep your target chained
After Ethereal Chains (E), keep the target chained for 1.5 seconds: they're then rooted and take extra damage, giving you time to land your burst.
- Look for isolated targets
In the mid game, look for isolated targets rather than head-on teamfights: your burst focuses one target, and Distortion (W) then takes you back out.
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 LeBlanc matchups
Patch 16.21.1