Akali vs Malzahar MID Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Akali

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Mid

Malzahar

Akali vs Malzahar

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Akali is a high-agency assassin who must use (W) to create safe windows for trades against Malzahar's push and lockdown.
Deny Malzahar lane priority early to prevent him from establishing his permanent push and mid-game control.

Trading pattern

Start trades with (Q) poke and passive autos, then commit with (W) and (E) when Malzahar is exposed.
Respect Malzahar's passive Void Shift spell shield; wait for it to drop before committing fully.
Avoid trading when (W) is down since Malzahar can punish your vulnerability without shroud cover.

Danger windows

Malzahar's level 6 (R) is a lethal lockdown; avoid extended trades or all-ins without (W) or (R) ready.
When (W) is down, play cautiously as you become vulnerable to Malzahar's push and poke.
Respect Malzahar's passive spell shield as it blocks your initial (Q) poke and slows trades.

Early game

Punish Malzahar's predictable push by focusing on killing Voidlings to force him under tower early.
Reach level 3 quickly to unlock (Q)-(W)-(E) trades with shroud safety and (E) follow-up for stronger aggression.
Avoid extended trades without (W) as Malzahar's push and spell shield can punish your energy and cooldown reliance.

Power spikes

At level 3, use the full (Q)-(W)-(E) combo to pressure Malzahar with safer trades.
Respect Malzahar's level 6 (R) suppression by avoiding all-ins without (W) or (R) ready.
After your first completed AP assassin item, increase pressure on waves and trades while tracking Malzahar's main defensive tools.

Win conditions

Use (W) to create safe windows for extended trades and all-ins, punishing Malzahar when his spell shield or cooldowns are down.
Deny Malzahar's push by killing Voidlings early and forcing him under tower to limit his lane presence.
Reach level 6 and item spikes to burst Malzahar before he can use (R) or scale into mid-game control.