Mid Matchup

Katarina vs Malzahar

Patch: 15.15 (25.15)
League: Platinum+
Katarina

Katarina

the Sinister Blade
Mid
Katarina Mid Overall Win Rate
49.38%

Matchup Win Rate

48.8%
Katarina vs Malzahar Wins
⚔
51.2%
Malzahar vs Katarina Wins
Malzahar

Malzahar

the Prophet of the Void
Mid
Malzahar Mid Overall Win Rate
51.88%

Katarina vs Malzahar - Mid Matchup Guide Patch 15.15 (25.15)

Katarina Mid vs Malzahar Mid - Who is stronger?

Katarina Mid struggles against Malzahar (48.8% win rate) based on 1219 games. This matchup can be tricky for Katarina players.

View detailed statistics below: items, runes, and counter builds for Katarina Mid vs Malzahar Mid in patch 15.15 (25.15), including win rates and pick rates. With proper study, this can improve your chances of victory up to 71.6% in this matchup.

Statistical Matchup Analysis

Current meta showdown: Katarina (5.8% pick rate, 8th most popular out of 58 Mid champions) versus Malzahar (6.7%, 5th place). These two mid lane titans clash constantly, making matchup mastery a decisive factor in your climb. Every edge matters: In this tough matchup, the proven Electrocute + Sudden Impact combination (50.5% win rate) plus optimal itemization Lich Bane, Shadowflame, Mejai's Soulstealer, and Sorcerer's Shoes boosts your chances from 48.8% to 71.6% - potentially game-changing.

Survive and scale: Katarina faces both matchup (48.77%) and farming disadvantages (6.01 vs 7.49/min). With a 1.48 CS/min deficit, prioritize safe farming and jungle assistance. Damage doesn't equal wins: Katarina outputs more damage (947 vs 735/min, 2nd place) but still loses the matchup. The issue likely lies in survivability, mobility, or damage timing rather than raw output. Strong individual performance: Katarina maintains better KDA (2.30, 32nd place vs 43rd for Malzahar), but loses the matchup overall. High KDA without wins suggests difficulty translating individual advantages into victory conditions.

Katarina vs Malzahar - Mid Stats Comparison

Katarina Mid
Katarina Mid		Versus
Malzahar Mid
Malzahar Mid
BTierS
48.8%Matchup Winrate51.2%
49.38%Role Winrate51.88%
#44Winrate Rank#10
5.8%Pickrate6.7%
2.3Average KDA2.1
436Gold per Minute425
6.01CS/Min7.49
0.32Wards per Minute0.32
947Damage per Minute735

How to Beat Malzahar as Katarina (Mid)

Despite the slight difference in effectiveness, in the Katarina versus Malzahar matchup in the mid lane, neither champion has an overwhelming advantage. The winner is determined by player skill and understanding the intricacies of the confrontation. Studying this guide will improve your chances of success.

The magic damage that Katarina deals remains relevant in the late game. Look for opportunities to initiate or counter-initiate. Meanwhile, Malzahar deals primarily magic damage (95.99%), additional magic resistance may be required.

Consider the farming superiority demonstrated by Malzahar, ranking 6th (versus 50th for Katarina) in farming efficiency among champions in this role. This means the opponent can build gold advantages more quickly. Meanwhile, their lower KDA (2.1 versus 2.3) suggests they are less effective in team fights.

Key aspects of the Katarina Mid versus Malzahar Mid matchup

In this difficult confrontation, it is critically important for the Katarina player to avoid attempts to force trades and all-ins with the Malzahar player, as the matchup requires a patient and calculated approach. Extended trades without clear tactical advantage often lead to unfavorable consequences, and ignoring opportunities to receive team support can be a fatal mistake for game progression.

Katarina vs Malzahar: Mid Lane Summoner Spells

Most Popular

Flash
Flash Teleports you a short distance toward your cursor.
Ignite
Ignite Deals true damage over time to target enemy champion and reduces healing effects on them for the duration.
48.0% Win Rate79.8% Pick Rate

Highest Win Rate

Flash
Flash Teleports you a short distance toward your cursor.
Barrier
Barrier Gain a brief Shield.
66.0% Win Rate0.4% Pick Rate

Katarina vs Malzahar: Mid Lane Runes

Most Frequent Runes

Primary Path
Domination
Electrocute
Electrocute Hitting a champion with 3 separate attacks or abilities within 3s deals bonus adaptive damage.

Damage: 70 - 240 (+0.1 bonus AD, +0.05 AP) damage.
Cooldown: 20s

'We called them the Thunderlords, for to speak of their lightning was to invite disaster.'

Electrocute

Hitting a champion with 3 separate attacks or abilities within 3s deals bonus adaptive da…

Sudden Impact
Sudden Impact Damaging basic attacks and abilities deal a bonus 20 - 80 True Damage based on level to enemy champions after using a dash, leap, blink, teleport, or when leaving stealth for 4s.

Cooldown: 10s

Sudden Impact

Damaging basic attacks and abilities deal a bonus 20 - 80 True Damage based on …

Grisly Mementos
Grisly Mementos Collect 1 memento on champion takedowns, up to 18 total.

Gain 6 Trinket Haste for each collected. In game modes where vision Trinkets do not exist, instead gain 3 Summoner Spell Haste.

Grisly Mementos

Collect 1 memento on champion takedowns, up to 18 total.Gain 6 Trinket Haste fo…

Relentless Hunter
Relentless Hunter Gain 8 Move Speed out of combat per Bounty Hunter stack. Bounty Hunter stacks are earned the first time you get a takedown on each enemy champion.

Relentless Hunter

Gain 8 Move Speed out of combat per Bounty Hunter stack. Bounty Hunter stacks a…

Secondary Path
Precision
Triumph
Triumph Takedowns restore 5% of your missing health, 2.5% of your max health, and grant an additional 20 gold.


'The most dangerous game brings the greatest glory.'
—Noxian Reckoner

Triumph

Takedowns restore 5% of your missing health, 2.5% of your max health, and grant…

Coup de Grace
Coup de Grace Deal 8% more damage to champions who have less than 40% health.

Coup de Grace

Deal 8% more damage to champions who have less than 40% health.

Adaptive
Adaptive Force
Adaptive Force Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

Adaptive Force

Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

Adaptive Force
Adaptive Force Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

Adaptive Force

Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

Scaling Health
Scaling Health Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

Scaling Health

Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

50.5% Win Rate52.3% Pick Rate

Best Win Rate Runes

Primary Path
Domination
Electrocute
Electrocute Hitting a champion with 3 separate attacks or abilities within 3s deals bonus adaptive damage.

Damage: 70 - 240 (+0.1 bonus AD, +0.05 AP) damage.
Cooldown: 20s

'We called them the Thunderlords, for to speak of their lightning was to invite disaster.'

Electrocute

Hitting a champion with 3 separate attacks or abilities within 3s deals bonus adaptive da…

Sudden Impact
Sudden Impact Damaging basic attacks and abilities deal a bonus 20 - 80 True Damage based on level to enemy champions after using a dash, leap, blink, teleport, or when leaving stealth for 4s.

Cooldown: 10s

Sudden Impact

Damaging basic attacks and abilities deal a bonus 20 - 80 True Damage based on …

Grisly Mementos
Grisly Mementos Collect 1 memento on champion takedowns, up to 18 total.

Gain 6 Trinket Haste for each collected. In game modes where vision Trinkets do not exist, instead gain 3 Summoner Spell Haste.

Grisly Mementos

Collect 1 memento on champion takedowns, up to 18 total.Gain 6 Trinket Haste fo…

Relentless Hunter
Relentless Hunter Gain 8 Move Speed out of combat per Bounty Hunter stack. Bounty Hunter stacks are earned the first time you get a takedown on each enemy champion.

Relentless Hunter

Gain 8 Move Speed out of combat per Bounty Hunter stack. Bounty Hunter stacks a…

Secondary Path
Precision
Triumph
Triumph Takedowns restore 5% of your missing health, 2.5% of your max health, and grant an additional 20 gold.


'The most dangerous game brings the greatest glory.'
—Noxian Reckoner

Triumph

Takedowns restore 5% of your missing health, 2.5% of your max health, and grant…

Coup de Grace
Coup de Grace Deal 8% more damage to champions who have less than 40% health.

Coup de Grace

Deal 8% more damage to champions who have less than 40% health.

Adaptive
Adaptive Force
Adaptive Force Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

Adaptive Force

Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

Adaptive Force
Adaptive Force Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

Adaptive Force

Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

Scaling Health
Scaling Health Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

Scaling Health

Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

50.5% Win Rate52.3% Pick Rate

Katarina vs Malzahar: Mid Lane Item Builds

Most Popular Build

Starting Items
Stealth Ward
Stealth Ward (0 gold) Active (210 - 120s, max 2 charges)
Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision for 90-120 seconds.
Dark Seal
Dark Seal (350 gold) 15 Ability Power
50 Health
Glory
Takedowns grant Glory, up to 10. 5 Glory is lost on death.
Gain 4 Ability Power per Glory.
Refillable Potion
Refillable Potion (150 gold) Active (2 charges)
Restores 100 Health over 12 seconds.
Refills upon visiting the shop.
50.9% Win Rate36.6% Pick Rate
Popular Boots
Sorcerer's Shoes
Sorcerer's Shoes (1100 gold) 12 Magic Penetration
45 Move Speed
48.7% Win Rate60.4% Pick Rate
Mercury's Treads
Mercury's Treads (1250 gold) 20 Magic Resist
45 Move Speed
30% Tenacity
47.6% Win Rate27.1% Pick Rate
Plated Steelcaps
Plated Steelcaps (1200 gold) 25 Armor
45 Move Speed
Plating
Reduces incoming damage from Attacks by 10%.
53.1% Win Rate4.5% Pick Rate
Core Build
Blasting Wand
Blasting Wand (850 gold) 45 Ability Power
->
Lich Bane
Lich Bane (3200 gold) 115 Ability Power
4% Move Speed
10 Ability Haste
Spellblade
After using an Ability, your next Attack deals bonus magic damageOn-Hit.
Shadowflame
Shadowflame (3200 gold) 110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damageCritically Strikes enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.
Rabadon's Deathcap
Rabadon's Deathcap (3600 gold) 130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.
64.1% Win Rate11.3% Pick Rate
Final Build
Void Staff
Void Staff (3000 gold) 95 Ability Power
40% Magic Penetration
45.8% Win Rate19.4% Pick Rate

Best Win Rate Build

Starting Items
Stealth Ward
Stealth Ward (0 gold) Active (210 - 120s, max 2 charges)
Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision for 90-120 seconds.
Dark Seal
Dark Seal (350 gold) 15 Ability Power
50 Health
Glory
Takedowns grant Glory, up to 10. 5 Glory is lost on death.
Gain 4 Ability Power per Glory.
Health Potion
Health Potion (50 gold) Consume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.
75.7% Win Rate3.3% Pick Rate
Highest Winrate Boots
Symbiotic Soles
Symbiotic Soles (900 gold) 40 Move Speed
Voidborn
Gain Empowered Recall.
Symbiosis
After traveling 150000 units of distance, transform into Synchronized Souls.
99.0% Win Rate0.1% Pick Rate
Plated Steelcaps
Plated Steelcaps (1200 gold) 25 Armor
45 Move Speed
Plating
Reduces incoming damage from Attacks by 10%.
53.1% Win Rate4.5% Pick Rate
Sorcerer's Shoes
Sorcerer's Shoes (1100 gold) 12 Magic Penetration
45 Move Speed
48.7% Win Rate60.4% Pick Rate
Core Build
Blasting Wand
Blasting Wand (850 gold) 45 Ability Power
->
Lich Bane
Lich Bane (3200 gold) 115 Ability Power
4% Move Speed
10 Ability Haste
Spellblade
After using an Ability, your next Attack deals bonus magic damageOn-Hit.
Shadowflame
Shadowflame (3200 gold) 110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damageCritically Strikes enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.
Mejai's Soulstealer
Mejai's Soulstealer (1500 gold) 20 Ability Power
100 Health
Glory
Takedowns grant Glory, up to 25. 10 Glory is lost on death.
Gain 5 Ability Power per Glory and 10% Move Speed at 10 or higher Glory.
71.6% Win Rate2.7% Pick Rate
Final Build
Banshee's Veil
Banshee's Veil (3000 gold) 105 Ability Power
40 Magic Resist
Annul
Grants a Spell Shield that blocks the next enemy Ability.
76.3% Win Rate7.3% Pick Rate
Other Items
Mejai's Soulstealer
Mejai's Soulstealer (1500 gold) 20 Ability Power
100 Health
Glory
Takedowns grant Glory, up to 25. 10 Glory is lost on death.
Gain 5 Ability Power per Glory and 10% Move Speed at 10 or higher Glory.
56.4% Win Rate11.2% Pick Rate
Mercurial Scimitar
Mercurial Scimitar (3200 gold) 40 Attack Damage
40 Magic Resist
10% Life Steal

ACTIVE
Quicksilver
Removes all crowd control debuffs (excluding Airborne) and grants Move Speed.
54.5% Win Rate8.8% Pick Rate
Banshee's Veil
Banshee's Veil (3000 gold) 105 Ability Power
40 Magic Resist
Annul
Grants a Spell Shield that blocks the next enemy Ability.
76.3% Win Rate7.3% Pick Rate
Guinsoo's Rageblade
Guinsoo's Rageblade (3000 gold) 30 Attack Damage
30 Ability Power
25% Attack Speed
Wrath
Attacks deal 30 bonus magic damage On-Hit.
Seething Strike
Attacks grant 8% Attack Speed for 3 seconds. (stacks 4 times).
While fully stacked, every third Attack applies On-Hit effects twice.
49.0% Win Rate6.5% Pick Rate
Zhonya's Hourglass
Zhonya's Hourglass (3250 gold) 105 Ability Power
50 Armor

Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.
59.5% Win Rate4.0% Pick Rate
Titanic Hydra
Titanic Hydra (3300 gold) 40 Attack Damage
600 Health
Cleave
Attacks deal physical damage on-hit and to enemies behind the target.
Titanic Crescent
Empower your next Cleave to deal bonus physical damageOn-Hit and deal bonus physical damage to enemies behind the target.
19.8% Win Rate4.0% Pick Rate
Jak'Sho, The Protean
Jak'Sho, The Protean (3200 gold) 350 Health
45 Armor
45 Magic Resist
Voidborn Resilience
After 5 seconds of champion combat, increase your bonus Armor and Magic Resist by 30% until end of combat.
50.1% Win Rate3.2% Pick Rate

Katarina vs Malzahar: Mid Lane Skill (abilities) Orders

Most Frequent Skill Order

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Q
Q
Bouncing Blade Katarina throws a Dagger at the target that then bounces to nearby enemies before ricocheting onto the ground.
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
W
W
Preparation Katarina gains a burst of Move Speed, tossing a Dagger into the air directly above herself.
W
W
W
W
W
E
E
Shunpo Katarina blinks to the target, striking it if its an enemy, or striking the nearest enemy otherwise.
E
E
E
E
E
R
R
Death Lotus Katarina becomes a flurry of blades, dealing massive magic damage while she channels to the 3 nearest enemy champions.
R
R
R
Max Order: Q > E > W
48.8% Win Rate74.8% Pick Rate

Highest Win % Skill Order

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
R
Q
Bouncing Blade Katarina throws a Dagger at the target that then bounces to nearby enemies before ricocheting onto the ground.
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
R
W
Preparation Katarina gains a burst of Move Speed, tossing a Dagger into the air directly above herself.
W
W
W
W
W
R
E
Shunpo Katarina blinks to the target, striking it if its an enemy, or striking the nearest enemy otherwise.
E
E
E
E
E
R
R
Death Lotus Katarina becomes a flurry of blades, dealing massive magic damage while she channels to the 3 nearest enemy champions.
R
R
R
Max Order: Q > E > W
65.2% Win Rate0.8% Pick Rate

Katarina tips:

  • Picking up Daggers will significantly reduce Shunpo's cooldown.
  • Try waiting until the other team is distracted with fighting your team, and use Shunpo to teleport into the fray and unleash a devastating Death Lotus.
  • Using Shunpo on an allied Champion, Dagger, or minion can be a great escape tactic.

Playing Against Malzahar

  • When Malzahar hits a spell on enemies affected by Malefic Visions, the Visions are refreshed.
  • Avoid minion waves that have been affected by Malefic Visions. You never know when they may die and pass the Visions onto you.
  • Malzahar is especially dangerous when he has built up his Void Swarm.

Katarina Mid other Matchups

Katarina
+7.3%
Yone

Katarina vs Yone

Katarina
+4.7%
Azir

Katarina vs Azir

Katarina
+4.7%
Xerath

Katarina vs Xerath

Katarina
+4.0%
Veigar

Katarina vs Veigar

Katarina
+3.9%
Aurora

Katarina vs Aurora

Katarina
+3.6%
Ryze

Katarina vs Ryze

Katarina
+3.6%
Aurelion Sol

Katarina vs Aurelion Sol

Katarina
+3.0%
Qiyana

Katarina vs Qiyana

Katarina
+2.9%
Syndra

Katarina vs Syndra

Katarina
+2.7%
Taliyah

Katarina vs Taliyah

Katarina
+2.6%
Hwei

Katarina vs Hwei

Katarina
+2.6%
Orianna

Katarina vs Orianna

Katarina
+1.7%
Talon

Katarina vs Talon

Katarina
+1.5%
LeBlanc

Katarina vs LeBlanc

Katarina
+1.5%
Ekko

Katarina vs Ekko

Katarina
+1.4%
Ahri

Katarina vs Ahri

Katarina
+1.3%
Zed

Katarina vs Zed

Katarina
+1.2%
Mel

Katarina vs Mel

Katarina
+1.1%
Sylas

Katarina vs Sylas

Katarina
+1.0%
Viktor

Katarina vs Viktor

Katarina
-0.5%
Twisted Fate

Katarina vs Twisted Fate

Katarina
-1.1%
Fizz

Katarina vs Fizz

Katarina
-1.1%
Zoe

Katarina vs Zoe

Katarina
-1.1%
Akshan

Katarina vs Akshan

Katarina
-1.4%
Annie

Katarina vs Annie

Katarina
-1.5%
Akali

Katarina vs Akali

Katarina
-1.5%
Lux

Katarina vs Lux

Katarina
-2.3%
Lissandra

Katarina vs Lissandra

Katarina
-2.3%
Yasuo

Katarina vs Yasuo

Katarina
-3.6%
Kassadin

Katarina vs Kassadin

Katarina
-3.6%
Diana

Katarina vs Diana

Katarina
-3.9%
Irelia

Katarina vs Irelia

Katarina
-5.0%
Vex

Katarina vs Vex

Katarina
-5.1%
Galio

Katarina vs Galio

Katarina
-5.2%
Vladimir

Katarina vs Vladimir