Malzahar vs Olaf TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Malzahar vs Olaf

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Malzahar should focus on controlling the wave and maintaining lane pressure to prevent Olaf from forcing extended melee fights.
This is a control vs snowball matchup where Malzahar must deny Olaf's all-in windows and avoid giving him easy melee engagements.

Trading pattern

Push with (E) and Voidlings, then threaten trades by stepping forward to cast (Q) silence or channel (R) when Olaf steps up.
Punish Olaf after he misses (Q) or uses (R) by forcing short trades or wave pressure.
Avoid predictable patterns; use (R) only when Olaf cannot disengage or when you have jungle assistance to secure kills.

Danger windows

Olaf is most dangerous when (Q) lands and he can pick it up to extend fights; avoid trading during these windows.
Beware of (R) duration where crowd control is ineffective; maintain spacing and disengage until it ends.
Early levels are risky if Malzahar loses Voidlings quickly or cannot maintain wave control, as Olaf can force melee trades.

Early game

Use (E) and Voidlings to push early waves and keep Olaf under tower, limiting his ability to chase with (Q).
Avoid extended trades before level 6 since Olaf's early all-in potential and sustain from (W) and lifesteal can punish Malzahar.
Respect (Q) slow and avoid getting caught without (R) available for lockdown.

Power spikes

At level 6, (R) provides point-and-click suppression for all-ins or defensive resets; track its availability closely.
After first mana/AP item, increase wave pressure and trade confidence while respecting Olaf's fighter item power spike.
Olaf's level 6 (R) grants crowd control immunity; avoid committing to trades during its duration and punish afterward.

Win conditions

Keep the wave pushed permanently with (E) and Voidlings to deny Olaf calm scaling and force him under tower.
Use (R) to lock down Olaf when he overextends or after he uses (R) to secure kills or force recalls.
Transition lane control into map presence by roaming or objective setup once Olaf is contained in lane.