Gangplank vs Malzahar TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Malzahar

Gangplank vs Malzahar

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Overview

Focus on controlling the lane with (Q) poke and barrel zoning to prevent Malzahar from establishing a passive, pushed wave.
This is a scale-oriented matchup where Gangplank must manage medium lane pressure while preparing for late-game barrel damage and global (R) impact.

Trading pattern

Trade short bursts with (Q) and passive resets, only extending trades when barrels are chained and (W) is available to cleanse silence.
Punish Malzahar's cooldowns by threatening barrels immediately after he uses (Q) silence or (R) ultimate.
Avoid trading when barrels are cleared or (W) is down, as Malzahar's silence and suppression can lock you down easily.

Danger windows

Be cautious when (R) is available; avoid extended trades or all-ins without (W) ready.
Avoid fighting when (W) is down, as crowd control from (Q) silence and (R) suppression can lock you down.
Watch for Malzahar's ultimate channel attempts; use (W) cleanse timely to avoid lockdown.

Early game

Use (Q) to farm safely and chip Malzahar when he steps up, avoiding extended trades before barrels are set.
Prioritize setting barrels in safe zones to zone Malzahar's voidlings and punish his predictable push pattern.
Avoid all-ins before level 6 when (R) suppression is unavailable but his silence and push can punish overextensions.

Power spikes

At level 6, use (R) to influence fights globally, protect yourself from (R), and slow enemies into barrel zones.
Scale into critical item barrel damage to turn one barrel chain into a decisive fight factor.
Respect Malzahar's level 6 (R) suppression and his first completed mana/AP item that boosts his wave control and trade damage.

Win conditions

Control the lane by zoning with barrels and (Q) poke to deny Malzahar safe scaling and wave control.
Reach critical barrel item timings to threaten one-shot damage and force Malzahar to play around your zone.
Use (R) to impact side fights and skirmishes, leveraging global pressure while maintaining farm and scaling in lane.