Malzahar vs Sylas MID Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Malzahar

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Mid

Sylas

Malzahar vs Sylas

Updated May 31, 2026

Overview

Malzahar is a control mage who wants to keep midlane pushed permanently to deny Sylas safe scaling and roam opportunities.
Manage lane pressure to prevent Sylas from engaging with Sylas E and extended trades using his sustain.

Trading pattern

Push with E and Voidlings, then threaten trades with Q silence when Sylas steps forward.
Punish Sylas if he misses Sylas E engage by stepping forward with Q and W damage.
Avoid all-ins when Sylas's Sylas E and Sylas W are up due to his sustain and knockup threat.

Danger windows

Sylas is dangerous when Sylas E knockup is available; keep distance to avoid all-ins.
Sylas W sustain allows him to survive extended trades; avoid fighting when it's up and cooldowns are ready.
Malzahar's R channel is vulnerable to interruption; avoid using it if enemy crowd control or Sylas engage is imminent.

Early game

Use Q and E to push early waves and force Sylas under tower, limiting his melee engage potential.
Avoid extended trades before level 6 when Sylas has high early agency and strong engage with Sylas E.
Maintain Voidlings to help push but be wary of Sylas's area damage clearing them quickly.

Power spikes

Malzahar's level 6 R is a major lockdown tool to punish Sylas's melee engage.
First completed mana/AP item boosts Malzahar's damage and lane control.
Respect Sylas's level 3 power spike unlocking his Q-W-E skirmish pattern and his level 6 Sylas R potential depending on stolen ultimates.

Win conditions

Keep midlane pushed permanently with E and Voidlings to deny Sylas safe trades and roaming.
Use R lockdown on Sylas when he overcommits or Sylas E is on cooldown to secure kills.
Leverage lane pressure to roam and impact other lanes once Sylas is contained under tower.