Malzahar vs Poppy

Malzahar
vs
Not enough games
Poppy
Heavy AD damageStrong engageHeavy CCVery tanky

Build vs Poppy

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, Tear of the Goddess, Zhonya's Hourglass, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap.

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
Tear of the Goddess
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport50%
FlashDot30%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Tear of the Goddess
Zhonya's Hourglass
Shadowflame
Rabadon's Deathcap
Morellonomicon
DominationDomination
Dark HarvestDark Harvest
Taste of BloodTaste of Blood
Sixth SenseSixth Sense
Ultimate HunterUltimate Hunter
SorcerySorcery
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
ScorchScorch
Adaptive ForceMove SpeedHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Poppy's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Iron Ambassador (P)

Poppy throws her buckler that bounces off the target. Poppy can pick it up to gain a temporary shield.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
38s20s14s–
66s20s14s2m20
94s18s14s2m20
114s16s14s2m
164s12s12s1m40
184s12s10s1m40

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 Poppy

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Stay away from walls

    Stay away from walls against her: Heroic Charge (E) stuns you if she slams you into an obstacle.

  2. Step on her buckler

    Step on the Iron Ambassador (passive) buckler when it lands: she can no longer pick it up, so she doesn't get her shield.

  3. No dashes during Steadfast Presence

    If you have a dash, don't use it near her during Steadfast Presence (W): the field stops it, and you're slowed and grounded.

  4. Interrupt her Verdict charge

    If you have CC, use it when she spins her hammer for Keeper's Verdict (R): the longer she charges, the farther she sends her target.

Patch 16.21.1