Malzahar vs Ziggs

Not enough games

Heavy pokeHeavy AP damageHigh burstHeavy CC

Build vs Ziggs

The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup

Starting items

—

x2—

Core build

1—

2—

3—

Standard

4Magic pen

5—

Summoner spells

100%

Anti CC

4vs CC

Other options

—

Sorcery

Deathfire Touch

Manaflow Band

Transcendence

Scorch

Inspiration

Magical Footwear

Cosmic Insight

Strength by game phase

Passive, spells and ultimate

Short Fuse (P)

Periodically, Ziggs' next basic attack deals bonus magic damage. This cooldown is reduced whenever Ziggs uses an ability.

Cooldowns by spell rank

Level	Q	W	E	R
3	6s	20s	16s	–
6	5s	20s	16s	2m
9	4s	18s	16s	2m
11	4s	16s	16s	1m35
16	4s	12s	16s	1m10
18	4s	12s	16s	1m10

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.

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

Walk around his mines
Walk around Hexplosive Minefield (E): each mine explodes on contact and slows you, which helps him land his other spells.
Engage after his Satchel Charge
If you can engage, go in right after Satchel Charge (W): it's his only way to get away, on a 20 to 12 second cooldown.
Get out of the center of his bomb
If Mega Inferno Bomb (R) lands on you, at least get out of the center: the center of the blast deals more damage than the edge.

Patch 16.21.1