Malzahar vs Jayce
Skill matchup
Build vs Jayce
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Malzahar: Blackfire Torch, Liandry's Torment, Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Sorcerer's Shoes, Zhonya's Hourglass, Malignance, Shadowflame, Oblivion Orb.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Jayce's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
When Jayce swaps weapons he gains Move Speed for a short duration.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 16s | 10s | 20s | – |
| 6 | 12s | 10s | 20s | 6s |
| 9 | 8s | 10s | 20s | 6s |
| 11 | 8s | 10s | 20s | 6s |
| 16 | 8s | 10s | 16s | 6s |
| 18 | 8s | 10s | 12s | 6s |
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 Jayce
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Watch for the orb behind his gate
When he places Acceleration Gate (E), expect Shock Blast (Q) through it: the orb gains speed, range and damage.
- Back off when he goes hammer
If you have range, back off when he switches to hammer: Mercury Hammer (R) makes him tankier, and he can't go back to cannon for 6 seconds.
- Engage after his Thundering Blow
Engage after Thundering Blow (E): it's his only knockback, and it has a 20 to 10 second cooldown.
- Drag the game out
If you survive the laning phase, play for time: Jayce is strongest early, when his cannon range dominates the lane.
Other Malzahar matchups
Patch 16.21.1