Mid Matchup

Malzahar vs Irelia

Patch: 15.18 (25.18)
League: Platinum+
Malzahar

Malzahar

the Prophet of the Void
Mid
Malzahar Mid Overall Win Rate
51.40%

Matchup Win Rate

51.8%
Malzahar vs Irelia Wins
⚔
48.2%
Irelia vs Malzahar Wins
Irelia

Irelia

the Blade Dancer
Mid
Irelia Mid Overall Win Rate
49.52%

Malzahar vs Irelia - Mid Matchup Guide Patch 15.18 (25.18)

Malzahar Mid vs Irelia Mid - Who is stronger?

Malzahar Mid has an advantage against Irelia (51.8% win rate) based on 544 games. The matchup leans toward Malzahar.

View detailed statistics below: items, runes, and counter builds for Malzahar Mid vs Irelia Mid in patch 15.18 (25.18), including win rates and pick rates. With proper study, this can improve your chances of victory up to 69.3% in this matchup.

Statistical Matchup Analysis

Malzahar dominates the meta (7th most popular, 6.2% pick rate) and regularly clashes with Irelia (3.3% pick rate). Understanding this common matchup forms the foundation of consistent gameplay for one of mid lane's current powerhouses. Meta strength confirmed: Malzahar's superior tier rating (S vs B) translates into a solid 51.8% matchup win rate. This performance explains why Malzahar ranks 18th in win rate among Mid champions. Optimize for consistency: Arcane Comet paired with Manaflow Band (59.2% win rate, 4.3% popularity) provides the stats you need, while the item sequence Blackfire Torch > Rylai's Crystal Scepter > Liandry's Torment with Sorcerer's Shoes delivers 69.3% win rate against Irelia.

Win through macro: Malzahar takes the matchup (51.76%) despite falling behind in CS (7.76 vs 8.50/min). Your victories come through roaming, team fighting, and map pressure rather than 1v1 lane dominance. Complete superiority: Malzahar dominates both win rate (51.8%) and damage output (836 vs 824/min, 2nd among Mid). The 12 damage/min difference creates massive snowball potential. Statistical dominance: Malzahar leads in both matchup win rate (51.8%) and KDA (2.20 vs 1.60) - complete superiority across all metrics.

Malzahar vs Irelia - Mid Stats Comparison

Malzahar Mid
Malzahar Mid		Versus
Irelia Mid
Irelia Mid
STierB
51.8%Matchup Winrate48.2%
51.40%Role Winrate49.52%
#18Winrate Rank#48
6.2%Pickrate3.3%
2.2Average KDA1.6
407Gold per Minute489
7.76CS/Min8.50
0.37Wards per Minute0.28
836Damage per Minute824

How to Beat Irelia as Malzahar (Mid)

While statistically Malzahar is slightly stronger than Irelia in the mid lane, neither champion has an overwhelming advantage in this matchup. 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 Malzahar deals remains relevant in the late game. Look for opportunities to initiate or counter-initiate. Irelia deals mainly physical damage (70.40%), additional items against this damage type may be required against snowballing or aggressive play.

Consider the farming superiority demonstrated by Irelia, ranking 1st (versus 5th for Malzahar) in farming efficiency among champions in this role. This means the opponent can build gold advantages more quickly. Meanwhile, their lower KDA (1.6 versus 2.2) suggests they are less effective in team fights.

Key aspects of the Malzahar Mid versus Irelia Mid matchup

Despite the statistical advantage in the matchup, overconfidence can be the main mistake. It is important for the Malzahar player to maintain constant pressure on Irelia, not allowing the opponent to safely scale up, and actively use the advantage gained to help their team.

Malzahar vs Irelia: Mid Lane Summoner Spells

Most Popular

Flash
Flash Teleports you a short distance toward your cursor.
Teleport
Teleport After a brief channel, become untargetable and travel to an allied unit. Upgrades into Unleashed Teleport, which significantly increases travel speed.
49.0% Win Rate89.5% Pick Rate

Highest Win Rate

Flash
Flash Teleports you a short distance toward your cursor.
Barrier
Barrier Gain a brief Shield.
50.2% Win Rate0.5% Pick Rate

Malzahar vs Irelia: Mid Lane Runes

Most Frequent Runes

Primary Path
Sorcery
Arcane Comet
Arcane Comet Damaging a champion with an ability hurls a comet at their location, or, if Arcane Comet is on cooldown, reduces its remaining cooldown.

Adaptive Damage: 30 - 130 based on level (+0.05 AP and +0.1 bonus AD)
Cooldown: 20 - 8s

Cooldown Reduction:
Single Target: 20%.
Area of Effect: 10%.
Damage over Time: 5%.

Arcane Comet

Damaging a champion with an ability hurls a comet at their location, or, if Arcane Comet …

Manaflow Band
Manaflow Band Hitting an enemy champion with an ability permanently increases your maximum mana by 25, up to 250 mana.

After reaching 250 bonus mana, restore 1% of your missing mana every 5 seconds.

Cooldown: 15 seconds

Manaflow Band

Hitting an enemy champion with an ability permanently increases your maximum ma…

Transcendence
Transcendence Gain bonuses upon reaching the following levels:
Level 5: +5 Ability Haste
Level 8: +5 Ability Haste
Level 11: On Champion takedown, reduce the remaining cooldown of basic abilities by 20%.

Transcendence

Gain bonuses upon reaching the following levels:Level 5: +5 Ability Haste Level…

Scorch
Scorch Your next damaging ability hit sets champions on fire dealing 20 - 40 bonus magic damage based on level after 1s.

Cooldown: 10s

Scorch

Your next damaging ability hit sets champions on fire dealing 20 - 40 bonus mag…

Secondary Path
Inspiration
Magical Footwear
Magical Footwear You get free Slightly Magical Footwear at 12 min, but you cannot buy boots before then. For each takedown you acquire the boots 45s sooner.

Slightly Magical Footwear grants you an additional 10 Move Speed.

Magical Footwear

You get free Slightly Magical Footwear at 12 min, but you cannot buy boots befo…

Cosmic Insight
Cosmic Insight +18 Summoner Spell Haste
+10 Item Haste

Cosmic Insight

+18 Summoner Spell Haste+10 Item Haste

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

47.3% Win Rate67.8% Pick Rate

Best Win Rate Runes

Primary Path
Sorcery
Arcane Comet
Arcane Comet Damaging a champion with an ability hurls a comet at their location, or, if Arcane Comet is on cooldown, reduces its remaining cooldown.

Adaptive Damage: 30 - 130 based on level (+0.05 AP and +0.1 bonus AD)
Cooldown: 20 - 8s

Cooldown Reduction:
Single Target: 20%.
Area of Effect: 10%.
Damage over Time: 5%.

Arcane Comet

Damaging a champion with an ability hurls a comet at their location, or, if Arcane Comet …

Manaflow Band
Manaflow Band Hitting an enemy champion with an ability permanently increases your maximum mana by 25, up to 250 mana.

After reaching 250 bonus mana, restore 1% of your missing mana every 5 seconds.

Cooldown: 15 seconds

Manaflow Band

Hitting an enemy champion with an ability permanently increases your maximum ma…

Transcendence
Transcendence Gain bonuses upon reaching the following levels:
Level 5: +5 Ability Haste
Level 8: +5 Ability Haste
Level 11: On Champion takedown, reduce the remaining cooldown of basic abilities by 20%.

Transcendence

Gain bonuses upon reaching the following levels:Level 5: +5 Ability Haste Level…

Gathering Storm
Gathering Storm Every 10 min gain AP or AD, adaptive.

10 min: + 8 AP or 5 AD
20 min: + 24 AP or 14 AD
30 min: + 48 AP or 29 AD
40 min: + 80 AP or 48 AD
50 min: + 120 AP or 72 AD
60 min: + 168 AP or 101 AD
etc...

Gathering Storm

Every 10 min gain AP or AD, adaptive.10 min: + 8 AP or 5 AD 20 min: + 24 AP or …

Secondary Path
Domination
Cheap Shot
Cheap Shot Damaging champions with impaired movement or actions deals 10 - 45 bonus true damage (based on level).

Cooldown: 4s
Activates on damage occurring after the impairment.

Cheap Shot

Damaging champions with impaired movement or actions deals 10 - 45 bonus true d…

Ultimate Hunter
Ultimate Hunter Your ultimate gains 6 Ability Haste, plus an additional 5 Ability Haste per Bounty Hunter stack. Bounty Hunter stacks are earned the first time you get a takedown on each enemy champion.

Ultimate Hunter

Your ultimate gains 6 Ability Haste, plus an additional 5 Ability Haste per Bou…

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

59.2% Win Rate4.3% Pick Rate

Malzahar vs Irelia: 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.
Doran's Ring
Doran's Ring (400 gold) 18 Ability Power
90 Health
Restoration
Restore 1.25 Mana every second. If you can't gain Mana, restore 0.55 Health instead.
Helping Hand
Attacks deal 5 bonus physical damage to minions.
Health Potion
Health Potion (50 gold) Consume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.
53.5% Win Rate80.7% Pick Rate
Popular Boots
Sorcerer's Shoes
Sorcerer's Shoes (1100 gold) 12 Magic Penetration
45 Move Speed
50.0% Win Rate75.2% Pick Rate
Ionian Boots of Lucidity
Ionian Boots of Lucidity (900 gold) 10 Ability Haste
45 Move Speed
Ionian Insight
Gain 10 Summoner Spell Haste.
49.5% Win Rate13.9% Pick Rate
Plated Steelcaps
Plated Steelcaps (1200 gold) 25 Armor
45 Move Speed
Plating
Reduces incoming damage from Attacks by 10%.
42.6% Win Rate1.8% Pick Rate
Core Build
Lost Chapter
Lost Chapter (1200 gold) 40 Ability Power
300 Mana
10 Ability Haste
Enlighten
Levelling up restores 20% max Mana over 3 seconds.
->
Blackfire Torch
Blackfire Torch (2800 gold) 80 Ability Power
600 Mana
20 Ability Haste
Baleful Blaze
Damaging Abilities deals bonus magic damage for 3 seconds.
Blackfire
For each enemy champion, epic and large monster affected by your Baleful Blaze, gain 4% Ability Power.
Liandry's Torment
Liandry's Torment (3000 gold) 70 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
Rylai's Crystal Scepter (2600 gold) 65 Ability Power
400 Health
Rimefrost
Damaging Abilities Slow enemies by 30% for 1 second.
45.0% Win Rate19.1% Pick Rate
Final Build
Rabadon's Deathcap
Rabadon's Deathcap (3600 gold) 130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.
35.7% Win Rate20.5% 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.
Sapphire Crystal
Sapphire Crystal (300 gold) 300 Mana
Refillable Potion
Refillable Potion (150 gold) Active (2 charges)
Restores 100 Health over 12 seconds.
Refills upon visiting the shop.
66.2% Win Rate6.1% Pick Rate
Highest Winrate Boots
Mercury's Treads
Mercury's Treads (1250 gold) 20 Magic Resist
45 Move Speed
30% Tenacity
50.0% Win Rate0.5% Pick Rate
Sorcerer's Shoes
Sorcerer's Shoes (1100 gold) 12 Magic Penetration
45 Move Speed
50.0% Win Rate75.2% Pick Rate
Ionian Boots of Lucidity
Ionian Boots of Lucidity (900 gold) 10 Ability Haste
45 Move Speed
Ionian Insight
Gain 10 Summoner Spell Haste.
49.5% Win Rate13.9% Pick Rate
Core Build
Lost Chapter
Lost Chapter (1200 gold) 40 Ability Power
300 Mana
10 Ability Haste
Enlighten
Levelling up restores 20% max Mana over 3 seconds.
->
Blackfire Torch
Blackfire Torch (2800 gold) 80 Ability Power
600 Mana
20 Ability Haste
Baleful Blaze
Damaging Abilities deals bonus magic damage for 3 seconds.
Blackfire
For each enemy champion, epic and large monster affected by your Baleful Blaze, gain 4% Ability Power.
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
Rylai's Crystal Scepter (2600 gold) 65 Ability Power
400 Health
Rimefrost
Damaging Abilities Slow enemies by 30% for 1 second.
Liandry's Torment
Liandry's Torment (3000 gold) 70 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.
69.3% Win Rate10.3% Pick Rate
Final Build
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.
100.0% Win Rate3.8% Pick Rate
Other Items
Morellonomicon
Morellonomicon (2950 gold) 75 Ability Power
350 Health
15 Ability Haste
Grievous Wounds
Dealing magic damage to champions applies 40% Wounds for 3 seconds.
40.0% Win Rate18.8% Pick Rate
Zhonya's Hourglass
Zhonya's Hourglass (3250 gold) 105 Ability Power
50 Armor

Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.
77.6% Win Rate16.9% Pick Rate
Void Staff
Void Staff (3000 gold) 95 Ability Power
40% Magic Penetration
65.9% Win Rate11.4% Pick Rate
Malignance
Malignance (2700 gold) 85 Ability Power
600 Mana
15 Ability Haste
Scorn
Gain 20 Ultimate Ability Haste.
Hatefog
Damaging a champion with your Ultimate burns the ground beneath them for 3s, dealing magic damage per second and reducing their Magic Resist.
24.9% Win Rate7.5% Pick Rate
Shadowflame
Shadowflame (3200 gold) 110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damageCritically Strikes enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.
67.1% Win Rate5.7% Pick Rate
Cryptbloom
Cryptbloom (2850 gold) 60 Ability Power
30% Magic Penetration
15 Ability Haste
Life from Death
When a champion that you damaged within 3 seconds dies, a nova spreads from their corpse that heals.
100.0% Win Rate3.8% Pick Rate
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.
100.0% Win Rate3.8% Pick Rate

Malzahar vs Irelia: 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
Call of the Void Malzahar opens up two portals to the Void. After a short delay, they fire projectiles that deal Magic Damage and silence enemy champions.
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
W
W
Void Swarm Malzahar summons Voidlings to attack nearby enemies.
W
W
W
W
W
E
E
Malefic Visions Malzahar infects his target's mind with cruel visions of their demise, dealing damage over time. Using Malzahar's other spells on the target will refresh the visions.

If the target dies while afflicted by the visions, they pass on to a nearby enemy unit and Malzahar gains Mana. Malzahar's Voidlings are attracted to affected units.
E
E
E
E
E
R
R
Nether Grasp Malzahar channels the essence of the Void to suppress an enemy champion over a zone of damaging negative energy.
R
R
R
Max Order: E > Q > W
47.6% Win Rate53.5% 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
Call of the Void Malzahar opens up two portals to the Void. After a short delay, they fire projectiles that deal Magic Damage and silence enemy champions.
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
R
W
Void Swarm Malzahar summons Voidlings to attack nearby enemies.
W
W
W
W
W
R
E
Malefic Visions Malzahar infects his target's mind with cruel visions of their demise, dealing damage over time. Using Malzahar's other spells on the target will refresh the visions.

If the target dies while afflicted by the visions, they pass on to a nearby enemy unit and Malzahar gains Mana. Malzahar's Voidlings are attracted to affected units.
E
E
E
E
E
R
R
Nether Grasp Malzahar channels the essence of the Void to suppress an enemy champion over a zone of damaging negative energy.
R
R
R
Max Order: E > Q > W
98.3% Win Rate0.9% Pick Rate

Malzahar tips:

  • Wait to cast Void Swarm until there are nearby enemies for the Voidling to attack or kill.
  • Use Call of the Void and Nether Grasp to renew the duration of Malefic Visions on enemies.
  • Avoiding damage in lane maximizes the uptime on Void Shift, increasing Malzahar's safety dramatically.

Playing Against Irelia

  • Pay attention to Ionian Fervor stacks and try to engage Irelia when it is down.
  • Minion waves greatly enhance Irelia's mobility, beware fighting her inside one.
  • Beware of wasting your high impact spells on Defiant Dance.

Malzahar Mid other Matchups

Malzahar
+7.5%
LeBlanc

Malzahar vs LeBlanc

Malzahar
+6.4%
Vladimir

Malzahar vs Vladimir

Malzahar
+5.1%
Qiyana

Malzahar vs Qiyana

Malzahar
+4.4%
Sylas

Malzahar vs Sylas

Malzahar
+4.1%
Ryze

Malzahar vs Ryze

Malzahar
+3.9%
Zoe

Malzahar vs Zoe

Malzahar
+3.9%
Yasuo

Malzahar vs Yasuo

Malzahar
+3.8%
Zed

Malzahar vs Zed

Malzahar
+3.7%
Yone

Malzahar vs Yone

Malzahar
+2.8%
Fizz

Malzahar vs Fizz

Malzahar
+2.4%
Aurora

Malzahar vs Aurora

Malzahar
+2.2%
Lissandra

Malzahar vs Lissandra

Malzahar
+2.1%
Hwei

Malzahar vs Hwei

Malzahar
+2.0%
Katarina

Malzahar vs Katarina

Malzahar
+1.8%
Mel

Malzahar vs Mel

Malzahar
+1.8%
Kassadin

Malzahar vs Kassadin

Malzahar
+1.6%
Annie

Malzahar vs Annie

Malzahar
+1.4%
Ahri

Malzahar vs Ahri

Malzahar
+1.4%
Aurelion Sol

Malzahar vs Aurelion Sol

Malzahar
+1.3%
Akshan

Malzahar vs Akshan

Malzahar
+1.3%
Azir

Malzahar vs Azir

Malzahar
+1.3%
Syndra

Malzahar vs Syndra

Malzahar
+1.2%
Akali

Malzahar vs Akali

Malzahar
-0.2%
Twisted Fate

Malzahar vs Twisted Fate

Malzahar
-1.0%
Viktor

Malzahar vs Viktor

Malzahar
-1.0%
Orianna

Malzahar vs Orianna

Malzahar
-1.4%
Anivia

Malzahar vs Anivia

Malzahar
-1.8%
Ekko

Malzahar vs Ekko

Malzahar
-1.8%
Smolder

Malzahar vs Smolder

Malzahar
-2.3%
Veigar

Malzahar vs Veigar

Malzahar
-2.5%
Lux

Malzahar vs Lux

Malzahar
-2.9%
Vex

Malzahar vs Vex

Malzahar
-3.1%
Galio

Malzahar vs Galio

Malzahar
-3.2%
Xerath

Malzahar vs Xerath

Malzahar
-3.5%
Diana

Malzahar vs Diana

Malzahar
-4.3%
Talon

Malzahar vs Talon

Malzahar
-5.4%
Taliyah

Malzahar vs Taliyah