Malzahar vs Pantheon TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Pantheon

Malzahar vs Pantheon

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Malzahar should focus on controlling the wave and maintaining lane pressure to prevent Pantheon from snowballing early.
This is a control vs snowball matchup where Malzahar must deny Pantheon early empowered trades and avoid giving him easy all-in windows.

Trading pattern

Push with (E) and Voidlings, then threaten trades by positioning to silence with (Q) when Pantheon steps forward.
Avoid trading when (W) stun or (E) damage block is available; punish after these cooldowns expire.
Use your passive shield to absorb burst but do not overextend into Pantheon's short all-in window after (W).

Danger windows

Be cautious when (W) stun is available as it can start guaranteed burst trades.
Avoid extended trades when (E) damage block is up, as it negates your main damage return.
Ping and punish Pantheon when he roams post-level 6, hard pushing the wave to take plates and deny him farm.

Early game

Use (E) and Voidlings to push and keep Pantheon under tower, minimizing his empowered trade opportunities.
Respect Pantheon's early (W) stun and avoid extended trades before level 6.
Track Pantheon's empowered passive stacks to anticipate and evade his burst attempts.

Power spikes

At level 6, use (R) suppression to lock down Pantheon for picks or defensive resets; avoid forcing it blindly.
After your first mana/AP item, increase wave pressure and trade confidence while watching Pantheon's defensive cooldowns.
Respect Pantheon's level 2-3 empowered (Q), (W), and (E) burst window to avoid lethal trades early.

Win conditions

Keep the wave pushed permanently to deny Pantheon safe farming and force him to use (E) defensively.
Use (R) to secure picks and create map pressure, enabling objective control and team advantages.
Exploit Pantheon's predictable engage pattern by punishing after his (W) and (E) cooldowns expire to maintain lane dominance.