Malzahar vs Ekko
Build vs Ekko
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, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Rabadon's Deathcap, Morellonomicon.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Ekko's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Every third attack or damaging spell on the same target deals bonus magic damage, and grants Ekko a burst of speed if the target is a champion.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9s | 22s | 9s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 22s | 9s | 1m50 |
| 9 | 7s | 20s | 9s | 1m50 |
| 11 | 7s | 18s | 9s | 1m20 |
| 16 | 7s | 14s | 8s | 50s |
| 18 | 7s | 14s | 7s | 50s |
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 Ekko
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Avoid his third hit
Take short trades: his third hit on you, auto or spell, triggers Z-Drive Resonance (passive), with bonus damage and a burst of speed.
- Leave his Q field
When Timewinder (Q) expands on you, leave the field: it slows you, and the device hits you again on its way back to him.
- Get out of his sphere
Leave the Parallel Convergence (W) sphere as soon as it appears: if he steps into it, it stuns every enemy inside.
- Aim where he'll reappear
When he's low, don't chase him blindly: Chronobreak (R) brings him back to where he was 4 seconds earlier and damages nearby enemies. Ready your spells on that spot.
Other Malzahar matchups
Patch 16.21.1