Malzahar vs K'Sante TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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K'Sante

Malzahar vs K'Sante

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Use your wave control to keep constant pressure and deny K'Sante safe farming and stacking (Q).
Focus on controlling the lane with consistent pushes and avoid giving K'Sante passive scaling windows.
This is a control vs control matchup where you want to leverage your suppression (R) for picks and objective setup rather than extended duels.

Trading pattern

Push waves with (E) and Voidlings, then punish K'Sante stepping forward by threatening silence (Q) or your ultimate (R).
Avoid trading when K'Sante has full (Q) stacks or (W) available, as his displacement and damage reduction counter your damage.
After K'Sante uses (W) or misses (Q3), step forward for short trades and wave pressure.

Danger windows

Respect K'Sante's (Q3) knockback and (W) displacement cooldowns as windows where he can force lethal trades.
Be cautious when K'Sante activates (R) near terrain, as he can isolate and duel you effectively.
Your ultimate channel can be interrupted by external crowd control; avoid committing if enemy jungler or support presence is suspected.

Early game

Prioritize pushing with (E) and Voidlings early to prevent K'Sante from safely stacking (Q).
Avoid extended trades before level 6 since you can be pushed under tower if your Voidlings are focused.
Track (W) cooldown to know when he loses displacement and damage reduction for safer trades.

Power spikes

At level 6, your (R) unlocks point-and-click suppression; use it for verified picks or defensive resets, not blind all-ins.
After your first mana/AP item, increase wave pressure and trade confidence while watching for K'Sante's key cooldowns.
Respect K'Sante's level 6 (R) transformation and avoid fighting near terrain where he can isolate you.

Win conditions

Maintain constant wave pressure to deny K'Sante safe farming and stacking (Q), limiting his all-in potential.
Use your suppression (R) to pick K'Sante off when he overextends or after key cooldowns are down.
Transition lane pressure into objective control and map presence to leverage your control mage identity and anti-carry role.