Matchup
Heavy AP damageSustained DPSHeavy CC
Favorable matchup
You are stronger late game — farm safe and avoid early trades.
Build vs Cassiopeia
Build adapted to this matchup
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
75%
17%Anti AD
Anti Heal
Anti CC
Anti Tank
DPS
100.0% WR1 games
Sorcery
Deathfire Touch
Manaflow Band
Transcendence
Scorch
Inspiration
Magical Footwear
Cosmic Insight
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
Malzahar
CassiopeiaFavorable
Favorable
Passive
Cassiopeia's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Serpentine Grace (P)
All Move Speed bonuses are more effective on Cassiopeia.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3.5s | 24s | 0.75s | – |
| 6 | 3.5s | 24s | 0.75s | 2m |
| 9 | 3.5s | 22s | 0.75s | 2m |
| 11 | 3.5s | 20s | 0.75s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 3.5s | 16s | 0.75s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 3.5s | 16s | 0.75s | 1m20 |
Playing against Cassiopeia
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
1
Turn away when she casts her R: you'll be slowed instead of stunned if you're not facing her.
2
Her DPS depends on landing Q (poison) — if she misses Q, she can't effectively spam E.
3
W prevents dashes: do NOT dash into the zone, go around it.
4
Cassiopeia doesn't have boots — slows are particularly effective against her.
Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026