Mage / Battlemage
Beginner Rule
Break Malzahar's passive shield before trying to engage him.
Malzahar is a control mage who excels at locking down priority targets and controlling waves. He wants to wear enemies down with damage over time before using Nether Grasp (R) — his suppression ultimate — to secure kills. Many beginners forget that Malzahar's passive blocks crowd control.
Level 6 – Nether Grasp creates powerful pick potential.
First Item – Waveclear and poke improve significantly.
Mid Game – Excellent objective control.
Suppression ultimate
Passive spell shield
Voidlings
Wave control
QWhat it does
Opens void portals firing projectiles dealing magic damage and silencing enemies.
How to play against
The silence stops your engage cold. Dodge the projectiles.
WWhat it does
Summons persistent Voidlings that attack nearby enemies.
How to play against
Kill the Voidlings — they deal real damage and are drawn to his E targets.
EWhat it does
Infects a target's mind dealing damage over time. Refreshes with other Malzahar spells. Attracts Voidlings.
How to play against
Anti-heal reduces the passive benefit he gets from DoT kills. Back off when afflicted to deny Voidling stacking.
RWhat it does
Channels to suppress a champion while a void zone of damage forms beneath them.
How to play against
The suppression is unstoppable once it lands. QSS removes suppression. Building QSS is the direct counter to his R.
E → Q → Damage Over Time
Core poke combo.
Flash → R
Locks down priority targets.
R → Team Follow-Up
Creates easy kills.
Void Shift: periodically he gains a damage-reduction shield that blocks the next spell and reduces its damage. His passive shield blocks one CC or damage ability. Bait it out first before using your main CC.
