Matchup

Renekton
Renekton
80%
20%

vs

55.7%

over 203 games

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

Favorable matchup

Build vs Malzahar

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Shield
Health Potion

Core build

Black Cleaver
1vs Tank
Spear of Shojin
2Bruiser
Maw of Malmortius
3vs AP

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Eclipse
5DPS

Summoner spells

41485%
41212%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Death's Dance
5vs AD
Guardian Angel
vs AD
Randuin's Omen
vs AD
Dead Man's Plate
vs AD

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Spirit Visage
5vs AP
Mercurial Scimitar
vs AP
Force of Nature
vs AP
Kaenic Rookern
vs AP

Anti Tank

Voltaic Cyclosword
5vs Tank
Youmuu's Ghostblade
vs Tank
Profane Hydra
vs Tank

DPS

Eclipse
DPS
Stridebreaker
Bruiser
Sundered Sky
Bruiser
Endless Hunger
DPS
Blade of The Ruined King
DPS
Ravenous Hydra
DPS
Trinity Force
DPS

Other options

Sterak's Gage
Survival
Zeke's Convergence
Tank
Executioner's Calling
100.0% WR3 games
PrecisionPrecision
ConquerorConqueror
TriumphTriumph
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
Last StandLast Stand
ResolveResolve
UnflinchingUnflinching
Bone PlatingBone Plating
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
RenektonRenekton
MalzaharMalzahar
Aggressive
Careful
Careful

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