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Mid · Normal DraftMatchup guidePatch 16.20.1

Malzahar vs Alistar

Build, runes, abilities and practical pre-game checks in one queue-aware reference.

MalzaharVSAlistar

Matchup guide

Choose the matchup

Search every champion, choose the assigned role, then open the exact queue page.

VS
Role
Selected laneMid

Choose two champions from the list.

Role fit

MidMalzahar

Malzahar has an established central-lane plan with access to waves, both sides of the river and meaningful pressure between objectives.

Primary role
Historical referenceRecommendation review pending

These patches track recommendation review, build validation and item lookup separately. Updating item data does not complete a build review.

Recommendation patch
16.16 Data Dragon
Build validation patch
16.19.1 Data Dragon
Item lookup patch
16.20.1 Data Dragon

Normal Draft · Mid

Evidence-supported Malzahar Mid

Follow the completed-item order as a pre-game reference. Components and owned items do not create extra inventory slots.

Primary role
S
Draft / Ranked opening · separate from item 1

Doran's Ring

400 gold

This is the most-supported Draft/Ranked starting item in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Compare its durability, sustain and damage trade-off before leaving base.

1
First item

Blackfire Torch

2,800 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

2
Boots

Sorcerer's Shoes

1,100 gold

This is the most-supported Boots choice in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot; change it when the opposing damage or crowd control calls for a different defence.

3
Core

Liandry's Torment

3,000 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

4
Late

Rylai's Crystal Scepter

2,600 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

5
Flexible

Rabadon's Deathcap

3,500 gold

Keeps a reviewed late option after the prior-patch cross-check; move or replace it only when its stated match problem is present.

6
Repeated spell rotations

Cosmic Drive

3,000 gold

Completes the six-item inventory with movement speed and ability haste for repeated late-game spell rotations.

Complete build choices

Choose the route before play

Recommendation review pending

AlternativeToo much healingMorellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.View full route

Best when: Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.

  1. First itemBlackfire Torch
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. LateRylai's Crystal Scepter
  5. FlexibleRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeThey burst meZhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.View full route

Best when: Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

  1. First itemBlackfire Torch
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Zhonya's Hourglass
  4. LateRylai's Crystal Scepter
  5. FlexibleRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeOne spell stops meBanshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.View full route

Best when: Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

  1. First itemBlackfire Torch
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. CoreLiandry's Torment
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. FlexibleRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeThey stack magic resistVoid Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.View full route

Best when: Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

  1. First itemBlackfire Torch
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. CoreLiandry's Torment
  4. Void Staff
  5. FlexibleRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Complete build comparison

Complete build comparison

Recommendation review pending

Build review neededEvidence-supported Malzahar MidRecommendation review pendingView full route

Recommendation review pending

  1. First itemBlackfire Torch
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. CoreLiandry's Torment
  4. LateRylai's Crystal Scepter
  5. FlexibleRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeToo much healingMorellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.View full route

Best when: Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.

  1. First itemBlackfire Torch
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. LateRylai's Crystal Scepter
  5. FlexibleRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeThey burst meZhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.View full route

Best when: Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

  1. First itemBlackfire Torch
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Zhonya's Hourglass
  4. LateRylai's Crystal Scepter
  5. FlexibleRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeOne spell stops meBanshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.View full route

Best when: Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

  1. First itemBlackfire Torch
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. CoreLiandry's Torment
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. FlexibleRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeThey stack magic resistVoid Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.View full route

Best when: Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

  1. First itemBlackfire Torch
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. CoreLiandry's Torment
  4. Void Staff
  5. FlexibleRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsMalzaharMid

Control Mid range, mana and wave timing before committing to a longer exchange or roam.

Normal Draft
Primary tree

Sorcery

Arcane CometManaflow BandTranscendenceScorch
Secondary tree

Inspiration

Biscuit DeliveryCosmic Insight
Summoner spells
FlashTeleport
Choose pressure or recovery

Ignite supports a short kill window; Teleport supports recall and map timing; Barrier protects against immediate burst.

Protect the wave plan

A more aggressive spell pair does not replace safe wave timing, river vision or an escape route.

Matchup notes

What changes when Alistar is opposite you?

Pre-game kit comparison
Strategic interaction

Control the wave and commitment

Wave pressure and direct lockdown reduce the room for repeated aggressive trades.

Mid game

Wave control and the first spell-damage core usually create the clearest pressure window.

Your plan

Use the route you prepared

Treat Vex as one part of the map state. Their Jungler, nearby waves and which teammates can move determine whether the same trade or rotation is safe.

Ability reminders

Malzahar reminders

  • Wait to cast Void Swarm until there are nearby enemies for the Voidling to attack or kill.
  • Use Call of the Void and Nether Grasp to renew the duration of Malefic Visions on enemies.
  • Avoiding damage in lane maximizes the uptime on Void Shift, increasing Malzahar's safety dramatically.
Ability reminders

Against Alistar

  • Alistar is very disruptive but very tough - try to target more fragile damage dealers.
  • Watch out for the Pulverize-Headbutt combo when around turrets.
  • When Alistar uses his ultimate, it's often better to move back and wait until the effect wears off before attacking him.

Static alternatives

Compare the problem before changing the plan

These choices are not selected from live scores. Use one only after you identify the stated match problem yourself.

Only when enemy healing is deciding fights

Oblivion Orb

Oblivion Orb supplies healing reduction without committing to a completed Morellonomicon. Skip both when healing is not the problem or an ally already covers your target reliably. Healing reduction does not reduce shields.

Conditional component, not a core item. Complete Morellonomicon only when its stats and slot efficiency justify delaying another purchase.
They burst me

Zhonya's Hourglass

Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

One spell stops me

Banshee's Veil

Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

They stack magic resist

Void Staff

Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

Ability reference

Compare both kits

Ability reference Data Dragon 16.20.1

Cooldown (s) / Cost / Listed range (units) Data Dragon 16.20.1

Malzahar

  1. P
    Void Shift

    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.

  2. Q
    Call of the Void

    Malzahar opens up two portals to the Void. After a short delay, they fire projectiles that deal Magic Damage and silence enemy champions.

    Cooldown (s) 6 · Cost 60/65/70/75/80 · Listed range (units) 900
  3. W
    Void Swarm

    Malzahar summons Voidlings to attack nearby enemies.

    Cooldown (s) 8 · Cost 40/45/50/55/60 · Listed range (units) 150
  4. E
    Malefic Visions

    Malzahar infects his target's mind with cruel visions of their demise, dealing damage over time. Using Malzahar's other spells on the target will refresh the visions. If the target dies while afflicted by the visions, they pass on to a nearby enemy unit and Malzahar gains Mana. Malzahar's Voidlings are attracted to affected units.

    Cooldown (s) 11/10/9/8/7 · Cost 60/70/80/90/100 · Listed range (units) 650
  5. R
    Nether Grasp

    Malzahar channels the essence of the Void to suppress an enemy champion over a zone of damaging negative energy.

    Cooldown (s) 140/110/80 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 700

Alistar

  1. P
    Triumphant Roar

    Alistar charges his roar by stunning or displacing enemy champions or when nearby enemies die. When fully charged he heals himself all nearby allied champions.

  2. Q
    Pulverize

    Alistar smashes the ground, dealing damage to nearby enemies and tossing them into the air.

    Cooldown (s) 14/13/12/11/10 · Cost 50/55/60/65/70 · Listed range (units) 365
  3. W
    Headbutt

    Alistar rams a target with his head, dealing damage and knocking the target back.

    Cooldown (s) 14/13/12/11/10 · Cost 50/55/60/65/70 · Listed range (units) 650
  4. E
    Trample

    Alistar tramples nearby enemy units, ignoring unit collision and gaining stacks if he damages an enemy champion. At full stacks Alistar's next basic attack against an enemy champion deals additional magic damage and stuns them.

    Cooldown (s) 12/11.5/11/10.5/10 · Cost 50/55/60/65/70 · Listed range (units) 350
  5. R
    Unbreakable Will

    Alistar lets out a wild roar, removing all crowd control effects on himself, and reducing incoming physical and magical damage for the duration.

    Cooldown (s) 120/100/80 · Cost 100

Adapt the plan

What to do when the game changes

Judge the whole lane or map state, not only personal kills. Choose the situation closest to the current game.

Even plan

Manage the wave and keep both sides of the map visible

1
Lane

Trade when your key ability and minion position favour you; an even lane does not require a forced solo kill.

2
Map play

Move on a completed wave and return before several waves are lost to the tower.

3
Fights

Position for the champion's reliable damage or control instead of beginning with the lowest-percentage spell.

Pings, movement and objectives

Malzahar Mid map plan

Mid can reach either side, but the wave pays for every move. Communicate the opponent first, then move only when the route and destination are credible.

Ahead

Use priority to arrive first, not recklessly

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing when the opponent leaves, On My Way before entering river and Danger on the route the opponent may use.
Stay or roam
Roam after clearing the wave and choose the side where allies can participate. Return before several waves are lost.
Objective
Reach river with the Jungler, control one entrance and preserve the spell that stops an enemy engage or secures the first target.
Even

Turn one managed wave into map pressure

Ping
Use Enemy Missing immediately, then On My Way only when you are genuinely moving rather than considering it.
Stay or roam
Move after the wave is handled. If following requires entering fog alone, ping Danger and take the safe route instead.
Objective
Help establish river vision before the start. Do not burn the only control spell on poke if it is needed to protect the entrance.
Behind

Clear safely and warn both side lanes

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing early and repeat Danger on the threatened side. Use Retreat if matching the roam would expose you to another kill.
Stay or roam
Follow through established vision or remain Mid and recover farm. A late blind follow often loses both positions.
Objective
Approach behind the front line and use reliable control or range. Trade the objective if the team cannot safely enter river.
Objective setup

Four calls, in order

Pings create a shared plan; they do not replace checking waves, vision and who can move.

  1. 1
    Handle the wave

    Push, catch or communicate the wave before leaving so the opponent does not gain a free move and free income.

  2. 2
    Signal the route

    Use On My Way for the route you are actually taking and Danger where an unseen opponent may arrive.

  3. 3
    Enter together

    Move through controlled vision with the Jungler or another ally instead of face-checking the objective alone.

  4. 4
    Choose the job

    Decide whether you are engaging, front-lining, flanking or protecting a carry before the fight begins.

Later objectives: Repeat the same process around later major objectives: handle nearby income, communicate the route, enter through vision and agree on the fight before committing.

Keep preparing

Use the champion page or choose another opponent

The matchup page is a pre-game reference. It does not predict the result or alter its recommendation from changing live match data.

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