Malzahar vs Ahri
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
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Ahri's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 9s | 12s | – |
| 6 | 7s | 9s | 12s | 2m20 |
| 9 | 7s | 8s | 12s | 2m20 |
| 11 | 7s | 7s | 12s | 2m |
| 16 | 7s | 5s | 12s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 7s | 5s | 12s | 1m40 |
Playing as Malzahar
Tips to maximize your impact
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Other Malzahar matchups
Patch 16.21.1