Malzahar vs Hwei

Malzahar
vs
Not enough games
Hwei
Heavy AP damageHeavy pokeHeavy CCHigh burst

Build vs Hwei

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, Zhonya's Hourglass, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Morellonomicon.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Blackfire Torch
1
Liandry's Torment
2
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Zhonya's Hourglass
5

Summoner spells

FlashDot67%
FlashTeleport33%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Zhonya's Hourglass
Shadowflame
Rabadon's Deathcap
Morellonomicon
SorcerySorcery
Arcane CometArcane Comet
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
Gathering StormGathering Storm
InspirationInspiration
Magical FootwearMagical Footwear
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Hwei's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Signature of the Visionary (P)

Hwei primes enemy champions he damages with his abilities for his signature finishing touch.Hitting an enemy with a second damaging spell completes his signature, leaving it beneath them. The signature detonates after a short delay, dealing magic damage to all enemies in range.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s18s12s–
68s18s12s2m
96s17.5s12s2m
116s17s12s1m40
166s16s11s1m20
186s16s10s1m20

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 Hwei

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Trade after his damage spell

    Trade after he uses a damage spell: Devastating Fire (QQ), Severing Bolt (QW) and Molten Fissure (QE) share a 10 to 6 second cooldown.

  2. Don't stand still or alone

    Don't stand still or alone: Severing Bolt (QW) strikes after a delay and deals more damage to isolated or immobilized enemies.

  3. Jump on him if you can

    If you can engage, jump on him right after one of his CC spells: Hwei has no dash or leap, and Subject: Torment (E) has a 12 to 10 second cooldown.

  4. Move away from the ally hit by his R

    If an ally is hit by Spiraling Despair (R), move away from them: the vision expands around its target, slows and damages nearby enemies, then explodes.

Patch 16.21.1