Syndra vs Malzahar

Syndra
vs
50.4%

over 1420 games

Malzahar

Skill matchup

Heavy CCHeavy AP damageCountered by stasisHigh burst

Build vs Malzahar

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Syndra: Luden's Echo, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Blackfire Torch, Zhonya's Hourglass, Stormsurge, Cosmic Drive.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Luden's Echo
1
Shadowflame
2
Rabadon's Deathcap
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Blackfire Torch
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport88%
FlashDot6%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Blackfire Torch
Zhonya's Hourglass
Stormsurge
Cosmic Drive
Dark Seal
Void Staff
Cryptbloom
Hextech Rocketbelt
Imperial Mandate
Mejai's Soulstealer
Banshee's Veil
Seeker's Armguard
Oblivion Orb
Liandry's Torment
Morellonomicon
Seraph's Embrace
Quicksilver Sash
Horizon Focus
Tear of the Goddess
Malignance
Bloodletter's Curse
54.4% WR237 games
SorcerySorcery
Arcane CometArcane Comet
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
InspirationInspiration
Triple TonicTriple Tonic
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

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 as Syndra

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Push a sphere to stun

    Place Dark Sphere (Q) between you and your target, then cast Scatter the Weak (E): the sphere you push stuns the enemies it hits.

  2. Follow Force of Will with a sphere

    After landing Force of Will (W), follow up right away with Dark Sphere (Q): the target is slowed and has a hard time dodging it.

  3. Poke with Dark Sphere

    Poke with Dark Sphere (Q) from level 1: it has 800 range, its cooldown is only 7 seconds, and each rank of your ult lowers it further.

  4. Damage enemies to grow your spells

    Hit enemies whenever you can: Transcendent (passive) gives you Splinters of Wrath for every level and every hit, and each threshold upgrades one of your spells.

  5. Set up spheres before your ult

    Place several spheres before Unleashed Power (R): the ult launches the 3 orbiting you at your target, plus up to 4 more nearby.

Playing against Malzahar

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Get out of his portals

    Get out of the Call of the Void (Q) zone quickly: its two portals fire after a short delay, and their projectiles silence you.

  2. Break his Void Shift first

    If you have CC, hit him first with a cheap attack, then wait a moment: Void Shift (passive) still ignores CC right after the first damage.

  3. Avoid minions hit by his Visions

    Stay away from minions hit by Malefic Visions (E): if they die, the visions jump to the nearest enemy, and his Voidlings follow them.

  4. Trade before he hits 6

    Take your trades before he hits level 6: after that, Nether Grasp (R) can lock you down from range while his team hits you.

  5. Focus him during his Grasp

    When he casts Nether Grasp (R) on an ally, focus him: he channels in place, and any CC interrupts him and frees your ally.

Patch 16.21.1