Malzahar vs Ahri

Malzahar
vs
Not enough games
Ahri
Heavy AP damageCountered by spell shieldHigh burstHeavy poke

Build vs Ahri

The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup

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

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

FlashTeleport64%
FlashDot29%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Oblivion Orb
Zhonya's Hourglass
Shadowflame
Rabadon's Deathcap
Morellonomicon
SorcerySorcery
Deathfire TouchDeathfire Touch
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
PrecisionPrecision
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Coup de GraceCoup de Grace
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Ahri's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Essence Theft (P)

After killing 9 minions or monsters, Ahri heals.After taking down an enemy champion, Ahri heals for a greater amount.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
37s9s12s–
67s9s12s2m20
97s8s12s2m20
117s7s12s2m
167s5s12s1m40
187s5s12s1m40

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 Ahri

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Stay behind your minions

    Keep minions between you and her: Charm (E) stops on the first enemy hit, and without it her burst lands far less often.

  2. Dodge the return of her orb

    If you can only dodge one pass of Orb of Deception (Q), dodge the return: it deals true damage, which your resistances don't reduce.

  3. Play hard when her R is down

    Play hard once she has used the dashes of Spirit Rush (R): she has nothing left to escape with, and its cooldown is 140 to 100 seconds.

  4. Group up when she roams

    When she roams, avoid walking through the jungle alone: Charm (E) then Spirit Rush (R) let her catch an isolated target by surprise.

Patch 16.21.1