Malzahar vs Akshan

Malzahar
vs
Not enough games
Akshan
Heavy AD damageHigh burstSustained DPSHeavy poke

Build vs Akshan

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, Zhonya's Hourglass, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Morellonomicon.

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
Zhonya's Hourglass
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport40%
FlashDot40%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Zhonya's Hourglass
Shadowflame
Rabadon's Deathcap
Morellonomicon
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

Akshan's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Dirty Fighting (P)

Every three hits from Akshan's Attacks and Abilities deals bonus damage and grants him a Shield if the target was a champion.When Akshan Attacks, he fires an additional Attack for reduced damage. If he cancels the additional Attack, he instead gains Move Speed.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
39s18s18s–
67s18s18s1m40
95s14s18s1m40
115s10s18s1m25
165s2s15s1m10
185s2s12s1m10

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 Akshan

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Cut his swing short

    Step into the path of Heroic Swing (E) rather than turning your back: any contact with you ends the swing, and with it his repeated shots.

  2. Hide behind a minion

    Put a minion between you and him when he charges Comeuppance (R): the bullets stop on the first champion, minion or structure hit.

  3. Watch out after a kill

    After you kill one of his allies, keep your distance from Akshan: Going Rogue (W) marks you, and if he kills you, he revives the allies you killed.

Patch 16.21.1