Mid Matchup

Malzahar vs Katarina

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

52.0%
Malzahar vs Katarina Wins
⚔
48.0%
Katarina vs Malzahar Wins
Katarina

Katarina

the Sinister Blade
Mid
Katarina Mid Overall Win Rate
49.57%

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

Malzahar Mid vs Katarina Mid - Who is stronger?

Malzahar Mid has an advantage against Katarina (52.0% win rate) based on 1219 games. The matchup leans toward Malzahar.

View detailed statistics below: items, runes, and counter builds for Malzahar Mid vs Katarina 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 67.3% in this matchup.

Statistical Matchup Analysis

Current meta showdown: Malzahar (6.2% pick rate, 7th most popular out of 61 Mid champions) versus Katarina (5.9%, 8th place). These two mid lane titans clash constantly, making matchup mastery a decisive factor in your climb. Meta strength confirmed: Malzahar's superior tier rating (S vs B) translates into a solid 52.0% 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 (67.1% win rate, 1.8% popularity) provides the stats you need, while the item sequence Malignance > Archangel's Staff > Liandry's Torment with Sorcerer's Shoes delivers 67.3% win rate against Katarina.

Lane dominance: Malzahar not only wins the matchup but crushes CS (7.76/min vs 5.17 for Katarina). This 2.59 CS/min advantage generates significant gold leads that compound your already favorable position. Quality over quantity: Malzahar wins through smart play rather than raw damage - despite lower DPS (836 vs 868/min), the 52.0% win rate shows superior utility, positioning, and team fight impact. Intriguing anomaly: Malzahar wins the matchup (52.0%) despite a lower KDA (2.20 vs 2.30). This suggests you win through macro influence and clutch plays in key moments rather than consistent individual performance.

Malzahar vs Katarina - Mid Stats Comparison

Malzahar Mid
Malzahar Mid		Versus
Katarina Mid
Katarina Mid
STierB
52.0%Matchup Winrate48.0%
51.40%Role Winrate49.57%
#18Winrate Rank#46
6.2%Pickrate5.9%
2.2Average KDA2.3
407Gold per Minute455
7.76CS/Min5.17
0.37Wards per Minute0.31
836Damage per Minute868

How to Beat Katarina as Malzahar (Mid)

The Malzahar versus Katarina matchup in the mid lane is favorable with proper positioning. Use your statistical advantage and prevent the opponent from realizing their potential.

The magic damage that Malzahar deals remains relevant in the late game. Look for opportunities to initiate or counter-initiate. Meanwhile, Katarina deals primarily magic damage (78.29%), additional magic resistance may be required.

An important advantage of Malzahar is higher farming statistics (ranked 5th among role champions) (versus 60th for Katarina), which provides a stable gold advantage in extended games and allows faster access to key items. Meanwhile, their higher KDA (2.3 versus 2.2) suggests they participate more effectively in team fights.

Key aspects of the Malzahar Mid versus Katarina 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 Katarina, not allowing the opponent to safely scale up, and actively use the advantage gained to help their team.

Malzahar vs Katarina: 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.
51.0% Win Rate89.5% Pick Rate

Highest Win Rate

Flash
Flash Teleports you a short distance toward your cursor.
Barrier
Barrier Gain a brief Shield.
56.8% Win Rate0.8% Pick Rate

Malzahar vs Katarina: 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

50.3% Win Rate66.7% 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…

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
Resolve
Bone Plating
Bone Plating After taking damage from an enemy champion, the next 3 spells or attacks you receive from them deal 30-60 (based on level) less damage.

Duration: 1.5s
Cooldown: 55s

Bone Plating

After taking damage from an enemy champion, the next 3 spells or attacks you re…

Overgrowth
Overgrowth Absorb life essence from monsters or enemy minions that die near you, permanently gaining 3 maximum health for every 8.

When you've absorbed 120 monsters or enemy minions, gain an additional 3.5% maximum health.

Overgrowth

Absorb life essence from monsters or enemy minions that die near you, permanent…

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

67.1% Win Rate1.8% Pick Rate

Malzahar vs Katarina: 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.
49.8% Win Rate87.5% Pick Rate
Popular Boots
Sorcerer's Shoes
Sorcerer's Shoes (1100 gold) 12 Magic Penetration
45 Move Speed
53.2% Win Rate78.8% 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.
41.7% Win Rate11.1% Pick Rate
Boots of Swiftness
Boots of Swiftness (1000 gold) 60 Move Speed
Fleetfooted
Reduce the effectiveness of Slows by 25%.
67.3% Win Rate1.0% 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.
60.3% Win Rate28.4% Pick Rate
Final Build
Rabadon's Deathcap
Rabadon's Deathcap (3600 gold) 130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.
68.6% Win Rate28.6% 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.
Tear of the Goddess
Tear of the Goddess (400 gold) 240 Mana
Manaflow (8s, max 4 charges)
Landing Abilities grants 3 max Mana (doubled vs. champions), up to 360.
Helping Hand
Attacks deal an additional 5 physical damage to minions.
Health Potion
Health Potion (50 gold) Consume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.
64.7% Win Rate6.7% Pick Rate
Highest Winrate Boots
Boots of Swiftness
Boots of Swiftness (1000 gold) 60 Move Speed
Fleetfooted
Reduce the effectiveness of Slows by 25%.
67.3% Win Rate1.0% Pick Rate
Sorcerer's Shoes
Sorcerer's Shoes (1100 gold) 12 Magic Penetration
45 Move Speed
53.2% Win Rate78.8% 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.
41.7% Win Rate11.1% 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.
->
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.
Archangel's Staff
Archangel's Staff (2900 gold) 70 Ability Power
600 Mana
25 Ability Haste
Awe
Gain Ability Power equal to 1% bonus Mana.
Manaflow (8s, max 5 charges)
Landing Abilities grants 5 max Mana (doubled vs. champions).
Transforms into Seraph's Embrace at 360 max Mana.
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%.
67.3% Win Rate1.6% Pick Rate
Final Build
Shadowflame
Shadowflame (3200 gold) 110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damageCritically Strikes enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.
100.0% Win Rate9.8% 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.
50.5% Win Rate16.3% Pick Rate
Zhonya's Hourglass
Zhonya's Hourglass (3250 gold) 105 Ability Power
50 Armor

Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.
58.7% Win Rate15.3% Pick Rate
Void Staff
Void Staff (3000 gold) 95 Ability Power
40% Magic Penetration
64.1% Win Rate10.0% 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.
100.0% Win Rate9.8% 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.
100.0% Win Rate4.5% 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.
0.0% Win Rate1.8% Pick Rate
Bloodletter's Curse
Bloodletter's Curse (2900 gold) 60 Ability Power
350 Health
15 Ability Haste
Vile Decay
Dealing magic damage with abilities or passives to champions reduces their Magic Resist by 5% for 6 seconds, up to 30%.
100.0% Win Rate1.8% Pick Rate

Malzahar vs Katarina: 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
51.2% Win Rate55.1% 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
69.0% 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 Katarina

  • Katarina's abilities deal magic damage, so even if she's building Attack Damage items, get magic resistance to counter her.
  • Try to save a disable for when Katarina uses her Death Lotus.

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
+1.8%
Mel

Malzahar vs Mel

Malzahar
+1.8%
Irelia

Malzahar vs Irelia

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