Lux vs Malzahar
Skill matchup
Build vs Malzahar
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Lux: Luden's Echo, Stormsurge, Shadowflame, Sorcerer's Shoes, Malignance, Rabadon's Deathcap, Dark Seal, Zhonya's Hourglass.
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 Lux
Tips to maximize your impact
- Start with Light Binding
Start with Light Binding (Q), then Lucent Singularity (E) and Final Spark (R) before detonating the singularity: the root makes sure everything hits.
- Weave an auto between spells
Slip in an auto after each spell that hits: it triggers Illumination (passive) for extra magic damage, and Final Spark (R) triggers it too.
- Light up brush with your E
Cast Lucent Singularity (E) into a brush before walking in: the area is revealed, and a hidden enemy would be slowed.
- Shield your allies twice
Cast Prismatic Barrier (W) through as many allies as you can: the wand shields them on the way out, then again on the way back.
- Use your R often
Cast Final Spark (R) to clear a wave or secure an objective: it only has a 60 to 40 second cooldown, depending on rank.
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 Lux matchups
Patch 16.21.1