Malzahar vs Ambessa

Malzahar
vs
36.4%

over 33 games

Ambessa

Hard matchup

Heavy AD damageDive threatHigh burstSustained DPS

Build vs Ambessa

Build adapted to this matchup

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

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

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

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Oblivion Orb
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport69%
FlashDot20%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Oblivion Orb
Zhonya's Hourglass
Shadowflame
Malignance
Tear of the Goddess
Rabadon's Deathcap
Morellonomicon
50.0% WR10 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

Ambessa's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Drakehound's Step (P)

Entering an attack or movement command while casting an ability will cause Ambessa to dash a short distance once the ability is cast, granting her next attack bonus range, damage, and attack speed, and refunding energy.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
314s18s13s–
612s18s13s2m10
910s17s13s2m10
1110s16s13s1m55
1610s14s11s1m40
1810s14s9s1m40

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 Ambessa

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Wait until her spells are down

    Take a trade once her spells are down: Drakehound's Step (passive) only gives her a dash when she casts an ability, and her basic spells cost 70 energy.

  2. Don't hit into her guard

    Stop hitting her when she casts Repudiation (W): if she blocks damage from a champion, her ground slam hurts much more.

  3. Respect her level 6

    Once she hits level 6, don't isolate yourself at the back of your team: Public Execution (R) lets her blink to the farthest enemy in the line, and it can't be stopped.

Patch 16.21.1