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Overview

Role Plan

Danger Windows

Early Game

Power Spikes

Win Conditions

Naafiri vs Malzahar MID Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Champion

Opponent

RoleGenerate matchup

Naafiri

VS

Mid

Malzahar

Naafiri vs Malzahar

Updated May 31, 2026

Overview

Naafiri should use Q poke to chip Malzahar and avoid committing W into his spell shield or crowd control.
Pressure Malzahar to prevent him from pushing the lane uncontested and gaining map presence.

Trading pattern

Start trades with Q poke to apply bleed and wait for Malzahar to use defensive tools before committing with W and E.
Punish Malzahar when his spell shield (Void Shift) is down or after he uses Malzahar R channel.
Avoid all-ins if Q misses or if Malzahar's crowd control and suppression are available.

Danger windows

Malzahar's Malzahar R suppression is a lethal all-in threat; avoid engaging when it is available.
Committing W into Malzahar's crowd control or spell shield can be punished hard.
Be cautious when Malzahar's passive shield is up, as it blocks your initial poke damage.

Early game

Use Q to harass Malzahar early, forcing him to farm under tower and disrupting his push.
Avoid engaging with W until Malzahar's Malzahar R or Malzahar Q are on cooldown or his passive shield is down.

Power spikes

Naafiri's level 6 R empowers chase and burst potential, increasing kill pressure.
Naafiri's first lethality item significantly boosts Q poke and burst damage.
Respect Malzahar's level 6 Malzahar R suppression as a major threat window.

Win conditions

Win by landing consistent Q poke to lower Malzahar's health before committing with W and R for an all-in.
Exploit windows when Malzahar's Malzahar R is down to force kills or summoner spells.
Use R to chase isolated Malzahar and snowball kills, denying him safe scaling and map presence.

Tip: For Naafiri vs Malzahar, read overview, trading pattern, and danger windows first for a fast Mid lane check.

Updated May 31, 2026New matchup