Outdraft.gg
LoginSign up

Matchup

Maokai
Maokai
33%
67%

vs

50.0%
Malzahar
Malzahar
18%
82%
Heavy AP damageCountered by stasisHeavy CCCountered by spell shield

Build vs Malzahar

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Shield
Health Potion

Core build

Tear of the Goddess
1
Hollow Radiance
2vs AP
Fimbulwinter
3Survival

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Spirit Visage
5vs AP

Summoner spells

41293%
4147%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Unending Despair
5vs AD
Sunfire Aegis
vs AD
Randuin's Omen
vs AD
Frozen Heart
vs AD

Anti Heal

Thornmail
6vs Hybride

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Spirit Visage
5vs AP
Force of Nature
vs AP

Other options

Jak'Sho, The Protean
vs Hybride
100.0% WR1 games
ResolveResolve
Grasp of the UndyingGrasp of the Undying
DemolishDemolish
Second WindSecond Wind
OvergrowthOvergrowth
SorcerySorcery
TranscendenceTranscendence
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
Attack SpeedHealth ScalingHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
MaokaiMaokai
MalzaharMalzahar
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral

Malzahar's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Void Shift (P)

When he hasn't recently taken damage or been crowd controlled, Malzahar gains massive damage reduction and crowd control immunity, lingering for a short period after taking damage.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
36s8s11s–
66s8s11s2m20
96s8s11s2m20
116s8s11s1m50
166s8s9s1m20
186s8s7s1m20

Playing against Malzahar

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Buy a QSS (Quicksilver Sash): it's the only way to break his R suppression. Mandatory for carries.

2

Break his passive shield with a small ability before engaging — otherwise it blocks your first CC.

3

Malzahar is weak in lane pre-6 and needs items — punish him aggressively in early game.

4

His R immobilizes him too: while he's R'ing an ally, focus Malzahar because he can't move.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026