[S11][Master Tier] In-Depth Malzahar Build Guide (2024)

MYTHIC

LIANDRY'S ANGUISH

✦ When riot reworked their entire item shop I immediately knew that Liandry's Torment was going to be Malzahar's primary mythic item of choice. It provides him with everything he could ever need! Liandry's Torment has ability haste, ability power, and mana. The build path for the item is also amazing as Lost Chapter is a must buy early for Malzahar. Now you're probably wondering why I haven't put Luden's Tempest on the list since the item also gives all of the same stats that Liandry's Torment provides, and it gives an added bonus of magic penetration. The reason that Liandry's Torment is a must buy for Malzahar over any other mythic item is becuase of its passive, torment. This passive causes enemies to burn for (+6% AP)(+4% target's maximum health) total magic damage over 4 seconds. This passive synergizes perfectly with Malzahar's E, Malefic Visions. Each tic of Malzahar's E, Malefic Visions, applies Liandry's Torment's torment passive making Malefic Visions extremely deadly on both tanks and squishy targets.

LEGENDARY

Demonic Embrace

✦ Demonic Embrace is amazing on Malzahar for the same reason Liandry's Torment is. Both of these items have a DOT that synergize extremely well with Malzahar's E, Malefic Visions. The combination of these two DOT items make Malzahar an extreme threat especially into team comps that have tankier champions.

LEGENDARY

Rylai's Crystal Scepter

✦ Rylai's Crystal Scepter is an amazing item on Malzahar. Malzahar may already have amazing CC with his Q, Call of the Void, and his R, Nether Grasp, but there is always room for more! With Rylai's Crystal Scepter Malzahar can easily slow his opponents making it easier to kite them, or to catch up and ult them. Overall, I love Rylai's Crystal Scepter on Malzahar due to the soft CC it provides.

*Keep in mind this is just an example build. Every game presents new problems and threats, so builds should be changed based on game state*

Mid Lane Build

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This build is extremely basic. Malzahar's core items are Liandry's Torment and Demonic Embrace. From here all other items are situational. I find that items like Rylai's Crystal Scepter are also important, but can still be replaced in certain situation if needed. I find that Malzahar's boot options can vary between Sorcerer's Shoes, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Plated Steelcaps, or Mercury's Treads. It all depends on the game state, and lane match up. Finally, Malzahar's last two items can be replaced with anything from Rabadon's Deathcap, Zhonya's Hourglass, Morellonomicon, or even Void Staff. It really depends on what you want, and what is happening during the game.

Top Lane Build

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When it comes to top lane builds, you will notice that it is identical to mid. Mid lane generally has a little more flexibility with items as you can run items like Zhonya's Hourglass before even picking up Demonic Embrace. Top lane, however, will most likely be filled with tanks or health stacking champions. This means that Liandry's Torment and Demonic Embrace are a must buy early on. The combination of these two items make Malzahar extremely deadly into tanks in the top lane. After picking up your two core items, you can continue on with a regular build path such as grabbing Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Morellonomicon, etc. These items can provide either soft CC to help kite out most top lane champions, or it can help with healing reduction as most top lane champions have some type of lifesteal in their kit or item build.

VS Heavy AD

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Against super heavy AD comps I tend to build items with a little more armor and HP. Items like Zhonya's Hourglass are amazing as they provide you with both offensive and defensive stats. Also, depending on my lane match up I may even rush a Seeker's Armguard. Generally, if I am facing a Zed I will almost always rush Seeker's Armguard before my Lost Chapter. In this build you can also replace Sorcerer's Shoes for Plated Steelcaps. If you feel like they have a lot of auto heavy AD champions like Yasuo then Plated Steelcaps will be more useful than Sorcerer's Shoes. Once you get your core items and a few armor items the rest of the build should consist of AP items with some HP. This way you are tankier than most squishy AP mages while still being able to dish out tons of damage.

VS Heavy AP

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Unfortunately, AP mages do not have a good MR item they can use like they can into heavy AD comps with Zhonya's Hourglass. So, if you are ever in a heavy AP comp as Malzahar I recommend grabbing Mercury's Treads over Sorcerer's Shoes since you can get a bit of MR and tenacity from it. From here you will have a ton of HP stacking through your item build which should keep you a little healthier than most squishy mages. If you are wondering why I didn't include Banshee's Veil into my build, as it gives MR and AP, it is because Malzahar already has a built in shield thanks to his passive, Void Shift.