Malzahar vs Zoe
Build vs Zoe
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, Boots of Swiftness, Zhonya's Hourglass, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Morellonomicon.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Zoe's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Zoe's next basic attack after casting a spell deals bonus magic damage.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8.5s | 0.25s | 18s | – |
| 6 | 7.5s | 0.25s | 18s | 11s |
| 9 | 6.5s | 0.25s | 18s | 11s |
| 11 | 6.5s | 0.25s | 18s | 8s |
| 16 | 6.5s | 0.25s | 16s | 5s |
| 18 | 6.5s | 0.25s | 14s | 5s |
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 Zoe
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Dodge her bubble
Dodge Sleepy Trouble Bubble (E): asleep, you take double damage from the hit that wakes you, often her Paddle Star! (Q).
- Aim at her return point
During Portal Jump (R), aim at her starting position: she returns there after 1 second, and can't move in the meantime.
- Don't step on her bubbles
Don't walk onto a bubble left on the ground: a Sleepy Trouble Bubble (E) that hits nothing turns into a trap.
- Ward behind the walls
Ward the hidden spots behind walls near your lane: Sleepy Trouble Bubble (E) reaches farther over a wall, and Zoe hides there to set it up.
Other Malzahar matchups
Patch 16.21.1