Malzahar vs Anivia
Build vs Anivia
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, Malignance, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Oblivion Orb.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Anivia's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Upon taking fatal damage, Anivia reverts to an egg and is reborn with full health.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 11s | 17s | 4s | – |
| 6 | 9s | 17s | 4s | 4s |
| 9 | 7s | 17s | 4s | 4s |
| 11 | 7s | 17s | 4s | 3s |
| 16 | 7s | 17s | 4s | 2s |
| 18 | 7s | 17s | 4s | 2s |
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 Anivia
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Sidestep her ice
Dodge Flash Frost (Q) by stepping to the side: without the chill, Frostbite (E) doesn't double its damage.
- Play hard before she hits 6
Push your wave and take trades before she hits level 6: without Glacial Storm (R), she struggles to clear the wave and can't hold an area.
- Drain her mana
Force her to spend her mana: Flash Frost (Q) costs 80 to 100 mana, and Glacial Storm (R) drains some every second.
- Destroy the egg right away
Focus the Rebirth (passive) egg as soon as it appears: if it hatches, she comes back to life at full health.
Other Malzahar matchups
Patch 16.21.1