Malzahar vs Aatrox

Malzahar
vs
47.0%

over 279 games

Aatrox

Skill matchup

Heavy AD damageHigh sustainSplit pushSustained DPS

Build vs Aatrox

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Malzahar: Blackfire Torch, Liandry's Torment, Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Sorcerer's Shoes, Oblivion Orb, Malignance, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Blackfire Torch
1
Liandry's Torment
2
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Oblivion Orb
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport63%
FlashDot23%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Oblivion Orb
Malignance
Shadowflame
Zhonya's Hourglass
Morellonomicon
Rabadon's Deathcap
Tear of the Goddess
Dark Seal
Void Staff
Bloodletter's Curse
Seeker's Armguard
Seraph's Embrace
Mejai's Soulstealer
Stormsurge
57.8% WR45 games
SorcerySorcery
Deathfire TouchDeathfire Touch
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
InspirationInspiration
Magical FootwearMagical Footwear
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Aatrox's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Deathbringer Stance (P)

Periodically, Aatrox's next basic attack deals bonus magic damage and heals him, based on the target's max health.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
314s18s9s–
610s18s9s2m
96s16.5s9s2m
116s15s9s1m40
166s12s7s1m20
186s12s5s1m20

Playing as Malzahar

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Keep your Void Shift up

    Avoid free damage to keep Void Shift (passive) up: when you haven't taken damage or CC for a while, you take much less damage and ignore CC.

  2. Push the wave with your visions

    Push the wave with Malefic Visions (E): they finish off low minions, then jump to the nearest enemy when their target dies, restoring your mana.

  3. Cast spells before Void Swarm

    Cast your other spells, Malefic Visions (E) included, before Void Swarm (W): each one adds a Voidling, and they go after the targets of your visions.

  4. Save your R for their carry

    Save Nether Grasp (R) for the enemy carry: you lock them down while you channel, and the zone around them also damages their allies.

Playing against Aatrox

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Avoid the edge of his blade

    Stick to him or step out of range when he casts The Darkin Blade (Q): only the edge, at the end of each swing, knocks you into the air and deals full damage.

  2. Get out of his chains fast

    Leave the Infernal Chains (W) zone before it closes, with a dash if you have one: otherwise you get pulled back to the impact point and take the damage again.

  3. Trade after his blade

    Take a trade right after the three swings of The Darkin Blade (Q): it's his only knock-up, with a 14 to 6 second cooldown depending on rank.

  4. Short trades

    Take short trades: Umbral Dash (E) heals him for part of all the damage he deals to champions, so a long trade favors him.

  5. Respect his level 6

    Once he hits level 6, back off when he casts World Ender (R): he gains AD and increased healing, and every takedown extends its duration.

Patch 16.21.1