Malzahar vs Akshan
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
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Akshan's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9s | 18s | 18s | – |
| 6 | 7s | 18s | 18s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 5s | 14s | 18s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 5s | 10s | 18s | 1m25 |
| 16 | 5s | 2s | 15s | 1m10 |
| 18 | 5s | 2s | 12s | 1m10 |
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 Akshan
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Other Malzahar matchups
Patch 16.21.1