Malzahar vs Gragas
Favorable matchup
Build vs Gragas
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Malzahar: Blackfire Torch, Liandry's Torment, Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Sorcerer's Shoes, Malignance, Zhonya's Hourglass, Shadowflame, Oblivion Orb.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Gragas's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Gragas periodically heals upon using a skill.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 5s | 14s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 5s | 14s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 6s | 5s | 14s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 6s | 5s | 14s | 1m25 |
| 16 | 6s | 5s | 13s | 1m10 |
| 18 | 6s | 5s | 12s | 1m10 |
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 Gragas
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay behind your minions
Stay behind your minions: Body Slam (E) stops on the first enemy it meets, minions included.
- Get out of the barrel zone fast
Get out of the Barrel Roll (Q) area right away: the longer the barrel sits on the ground, the more its explosion hurts and slows.
- Step up after a missed E
Step up when Body Slam (E) hits nobody: its cooldown isn't reduced and stays at 14 to 12 seconds.
- Spread out from your allies
Spread out from your allies: Explosive Cask (R) knocks every enemy away from the impact, which can split you up or send you toward his team.
Other Malzahar matchups
Patch 16.21.1