Matchup

Ornn
Ornn
63%
37%

vs

54.1%

over 194 games

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

Skill matchup

You are stronger late game — farm safe and avoid early trades.

Build vs Malzahar

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Shield
Health Potion

Core build

Kaenic Rookern
1vs AP
Hollow Radiance
2vs AP
Unending Despair
3vs AD

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Jak'Sho, The Protean
5vs Hybride

Summoner spells

41280%
41411%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Jak'Sho, The Protean
5vs Hybride
Randuin's Omen
vs AD
Frozen Heart
vs AD
Sunfire Aegis
vs AD
Knight's Vow
vs AD
Iceborn Gauntlet
vs AD

Anti Heal

Thornmail
6vs Hybride

Anti AP

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

Other options

Protoplasm Harness
Survival
Fimbulwinter
Survival
Heartsteel
Survival
Zeke's Convergence
Tank
Warmog's Armor
Survival
Locket of the Iron Solari
HP
100.0% WR3 games
ResolveResolve
Grasp of the UndyingGrasp of the Undying
DemolishDemolish
Bone PlatingBone Plating
OvergrowthOvergrowth
InspirationInspiration
Magical FootwearMagical Footwear
Biscuit DeliveryBiscuit Delivery
Attack SpeedHealth ScalingHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
OrnnOrnn
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