Ahri vs Malzahar MID Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Champion

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Ahri

VS

Mid

Malzahar

Ahri vs Malzahar

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Use early lane pressure to deny Malzahar a pushed wave and limit his map presence.
Maintain lane priority to create short trade windows and enable roams, exploiting Malzahar's lack of mobility.

Trading pattern

Use (Q) and (W) to poke and look for (E) when Malzahar commits forward or wastes his Void Shift shield.
Avoid extended trades when (R) is down or minions block your (E) line.
Step forward to trade aggressively during (Q) and (R) cooldowns to maximize short trade windows.

Danger windows

Avoid overextending when (R) suppression is available to prevent lockdown and burst.
Play cautiously when your (E) or (R) is on cooldown, as you lose your strongest peel and escape tools.
Refrain from trading in large minion waves where (E) is less effective and extended fights favor Malzahar's push.

Early game

Punish Malzahar's low mobility by zoning him off minions with (Q) and (W) and focus on killing his Voidlings to reduce his wave control.
Push the wave hard early to force Malzahar under tower where he struggles to farm without items.
Ward river early around 2:30-3:00 to prepare for jungle pressure and set up safe roams post-level 6.

Power spikes

Capitalize on level 3 power spike by using full ability kit for flexible short trades while holding (E) for punish windows.
Respect Malzahar's level 6 (R) suppression and use your own (R) to dodge or extend fights safely.
After your first completed mage item, pressure waves and trades more confidently to increase lane control and kill threat.

Win conditions

Deny Malzahar free farm by controlling wave tempo and punishing exposed CS attempts with (Q) and (E).
Use (E) to pick off Malzahar when he oversteps or wastes defensive cooldowns, then snowball lane pressure.
Leverage (R) mobility to dodge suppression, extend kills, and create roam opportunities to impact the map early.