Malzahar vs Ryze TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Malzahar vs Ryze

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Malzahar is a control mage focused on pushing and locking down Ryze to deny his scaling and roam potential.
Use medium early agency and lane pressure to keep Ryze farming under pressure and prevent safe scaling.
This is a control vs scaling matchup where Malzahar must maintain wave control and leverage suppression to pick or force resets.

Trading pattern

Start trades by pushing with (E) and Voidlings, then threaten silence (Q) or ultimate (R) when Ryze steps forward.
Punish Ryze when his (W) root is down or he is low on mana and cannot follow up with rotations.
Avoid trading when Ryze has mana and cooldowns for repeated (E) and (Q) damage or when (W) is ready to root you.

Danger windows

Be cautious when Ryze has (W) root and full mana for multiple spell rotations; avoid stepping into his range.
Your ultimate (R) channel can be interrupted by external crowd control; avoid committing when enemy crowd control is available.
(R) enables map plays; expect pressure or ganks when it is off cooldown and play accordingly.

Early game

Push early waves with (E) and Voidlings to pressure Ryze and deny him easy farm.
Avoid letting Ryze push you under tower by keeping Voidlings alive and managing wave control.
Watch for Ryze stepping forward to cast (E) or (W) and punish with silence or (R) when safe.

Power spikes

At level 6, use (R) suppression to secure picks or defensive resets; track (R) to avoid forced all-ins.
After first mana/AP item, pressure waves and trades more confidently as your damage and wave control improve.
Respect Ryze's first item power spike by avoiding extended trades when he has mana and cooldowns for spell rotations.

Win conditions

Keep the wave pushed permanently with Voidlings and (E) to deny Ryze safe scaling and roam opportunities.
Use (R) suppression to pick Ryze off or force him to play defensively, enabling map presence.
After first item power spike, increase lane pressure to control objectives and create teamfight advantages through lockdown.