Cho'Gath vs Malzahar TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Malzahar

Cho'Gath vs Malzahar

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Overview

Prioritize stable farming and passive sustain to outscale Malzahar's mid-game control and push pressure.
Manage lane pressure carefully to avoid giving Malzahar free wave control or safe ultimate setups.
This is a scale vs control matchup where Cho'Gath must survive early pressure and build stacks for late durability and objective threat.

Trading pattern

Fish for (Q) knockups timed with Malzahar's minion last-hits, then follow with (W) silence if he commits.
Avoid long trades when (Q) or (W) are on cooldown, as Malzahar can safely retaliate or maintain pressure.
Use passive sustain and short trades to outlast poke until (R) execute becomes a threat.

Danger windows

Beware of (R) suppression window post-level 6; do not engage without backup or crowd control to interrupt.
Avoid extended trades or missing (Q) early, as this reduces your threat and opens you to Malzahar's counter pressure.
Be cautious when (W) silence is down, as Malzahar can trade more freely and push lane advantage.

Early game

Use (Q) to threaten Malzahar's predictable last-hit patterns and force him to play cautiously.
Avoid extended trades before level 6, focusing on short (Q)+(W) combos when Malzahar steps forward.
Punish Malzahar's voidlings early by zoning or damaging them to reduce his push strength and lane control.

Power spikes

At level 6, use (R) to secure kills, stacks, or objectives, forcing Malzahar to respect your execute threat.
After multiple (R) stacks, leverage increased durability to front line and zone Malzahar and his team.
Respect Malzahar's level 6 (R) suppression by avoiding all-in attempts during its availability; wait for it to be used or on cooldown.

Win conditions

Control space with well-timed (Q) knockups and (W) silences to force Malzahar into defensive play.
Sustain through poke with passive healing and scale into a durable front line by stacking (R) executes.
Deny Malzahar safe farming and objective setups by punishing his predictable movement and wave control windows.