Struggling against Malzahar in the mid lane? Discover the top counters you should pick in LoL this season.
Image Credit: Riot Games
Top Malzahar Counters in LoL
Even though Malzahar is not a common pick, when he is chosen, he can be a nuisance to deal with. From his ult suppression to his effective wave clearing, he poses a threat in both small skirmishes and team fights. In this guide, we’ll highlight the best counters to Malzahar, explaining why they are so effective.
If you’re new to the game, check out our guide on how counter picks work in League of Legends. Understanding counter picks and how different classes counter each other will help you increase your win rate and make better champion choices.
Orianna – The Lane Dominator
Orianna, a traditional mid lane mage, excels at scaling up to impact games heavily. She outshines Malzahar in laning phase due to her higher damage in short trades and ability to easily break Malzahar’s passive with Q. With Malzahar’s low mobility, landing Shockwaves becomes a piece of cake, making Orianna a reliable counter.
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Aurelion Sol – The Ranged Menace
With a weak early game like Malzahar, Aurelion Sol can safely scale up and reach his item power spikes. Once he hits his first two items, his damage output increases significantly. His superior range allows Aurelion Sol to dominate the battlefield and burn down enemies with ease.
Jayce – The AD Threat
Jayce, though uncommon in mid lane, excels against Malzahar. By dealing with Malzahar’s passive and engaging in heavy fighting early on, Jayce can establish a significant lead. Malzahar struggles to match Jayce’s damage output until late game, giving Jayce a strategic advantage.
Champions to Avoid Against Malzahar
Lissandra – A Tough Matchup
Lissandra lacks the range to effectively counter Malzahar early on, limiting her snowball potential. Malzahar’s ultimate can easily neutralize Lissandra’s aggression, making this matchup challenging for the Ice Witch.
Neeko – Not the Best Pick
Choosing Neeko against Malzahar can backfire, as Malzahar can interrupt Neeko’s abilities mid-action with his ultimate. Additionally, Neeko’s passive camouflage can be countered by Malzahar’s E ability, making it a risky choice.
Itemizing Against Malzahar
When facing Malzahar, prioritize building both magic resistance and health. Consider these items based on your champion’s class:
- Bruisers: Force of Nature, Kaenic Rookern
- AD assassins: Maw of Malmortius, Mercurial Scimitarr
- ADC champions: Mercurial Scimitarr, Wit’s End
- AP champions: Banshee’s Veil, Abyssal Mask
- Tanks: Kaenic Rookern, Force of Nature
Top Malzahar Counters
The top counters to Malzahar are Orianna, Aurelion Sol, and Jayce. Other strong counters include Tristana, Kassadin, and Ryze.
Katarina vs. Malzahar
While Katarina can pose a threat to Malzahar in the early game, Malzahar grows stronger as the game progresses. Positioning and ability usage are crucial in this matchup, as Malzahar can easily shut down Katarina if she gets too close.
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