Matchup

Heavy AP damageCountered by stasisHeavy CCCountered by spell shield

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

Build vs Malzahar

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Tear of the Goddess
1
Echoes of Helia
2HP
Diadem of Songs
3HP

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Dream Maker
5HP

Summoner spells

3778%
31418%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Knight's Vow
5vs AD

Anti Heal

Morellonomicon
6vs Heal

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

DPS

Imperial Mandate
Mage

Other options

Dream Maker
HP
Moonstone Renewer
HP
Ardent Censer
Mikael's Blessing
HP
Redemption
Dawncore
Zaz'Zak's Realmspike
HP
Mejai's Soulstealer
Shurelya's Battlesong
Staff of Flowing Water
100.0% WR3 games
SorcerySorcery
Summon AerySummon Aery
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
ResolveResolve
RevitalizeRevitalize
Font of LifeFont of Life
Ability HasteAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

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