Malzahar vs Teemo
Skill matchup
Build vs Teemo
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Malzahar: Blackfire Torch, Liandry's Torment, Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Sorcerer's Shoes, Shadowflame, Malignance, Zhonya's Hourglass, Rabadon's Deathcap.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Teemo's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
If Teemo stands still and takes no actions for a short duration, he becomes Invisible indefinitely. If he's in brush, Teemo can enter and maintain his Invisibility while moving. After leaving Invisibility, Teemo gains the Element of Surprise, increasing his Attack Speed for a few seconds.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 14s | 0s | – |
| 6 | 7s | 14s | 0s | 0.25s |
| 9 | 7s | 14s | 0s | 0.25s |
| 11 | 7s | 14s | 0s | 0.25s |
| 16 | 7s | 14s | 0s | 0.25s |
| 18 | 7s | 14s | 0s | 0.25s |
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 Teemo
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Only close in for a real trade
Only get close to him to start a real trade: each Teemo auto poisons you with Toxic Shot (E), and the poison keeps ticking while you back off.
- Trade after his dart
If you rely on autos, start your trade right after Blinding Dart (Q): he has nothing left to blind you with during its 7-second cooldown.
- Reveal his mushrooms
Before a dragon or Baron, move in with an Oracle Lens or a Control Ward: they reveal the Noxious Trap (R) mushrooms, which otherwise stay stealthed for minutes.
- Call your jungler when he steps up
Ask for a gank when he steps up in your lane: Teemo has no dash, and only the Move Quick (W) sprint helps him escape.
Other Malzahar matchups
Patch 16.21.1