Malzahar vs Gangplank

Malzahar
vs
47.0%

over 236 games

Gangplank

Skill matchup

Heavy AD damageSplit pushHigh burstHeavy poke

Build vs Gangplank

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Malzahar: Blackfire Torch, Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Liandry's Torment, Sorcerer's Shoes, Zhonya's Hourglass, Shadowflame, Oblivion Orb, 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
Zhonya's Hourglass
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport61%
FlashDot24%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Zhonya's Hourglass
Shadowflame
Oblivion Orb
Malignance
Rabadon's Deathcap
Morellonomicon
Seraph's Embrace
Tear of the Goddess
Void Staff
Bloodletter's Curse
Dark Seal
Seeker's Armguard
Stormsurge
Luden's Echo
42.6% WR61 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

Gangplank's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Trial by Fire (P)

Every few seconds, Gangplank's melee strike will set his opponent on fire.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
34.5s22s0s–
64.5s22s0s2m40
94.5s20s0s2m40
114.5s18s0s2m20
164.5s14s0s2m
184.5s14s0s2m

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 Gangplank

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Pop his kegs before he does

    Destroy his kegs before he does: a Powder Keg (E) destroyed by an enemy is defused, and each keg loses health over time.

  2. All-in, he has no dash

    If you can engage, go all-in: his kit has no dash to escape.

  3. Save a CC for after his W

    If your team has several CCs, don't use them all at once: Remove Scurvy (W) cleanses all his CC, then has a 22 to 14 second cooldown.

  4. Get out of his keg zone

    In teamfights, get out of his kegs' area: each Powder Keg (E) explosion deals the damage of the attack that set it off, ignores part of your armor and slows you.

Patch 16.21.1