Mid Matchup

Mel vs Malzahar

Patch: 15.18 (25.18)
League: Platinum+
Mel

Mel

the Soul's Reflection
Mid
Mel Mid Overall Win Rate
47.53%

Matchup Win Rate

48.2%
Mel vs Malzahar Wins
⚔
51.8%
Malzahar vs Mel Wins
Malzahar

Malzahar

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

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

Mel Mid vs Malzahar Mid - Who is stronger?

Mel Mid has trouble against Malzahar (48.2% win rate) based on 1123 games. This is a tough matchup for Mel players.

View detailed statistics below: items, runes, and counter builds for Mel Mid vs Malzahar 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 63.9% in this matchup.

Statistical Matchup Analysis

Current meta showdown: Mel (4.6% pick rate, 15th most popular out of 61 Mid champions) versus Malzahar (6.2%, 7th place). These two mid lane titans clash constantly, making matchup mastery a decisive factor in your climb. Challenging situation: Mel's weak 47.5% overall win rate compounds with this difficult matchup, creating serious obstacles for climbing. Every edge matters: In this tough matchup, the proven Arcane Comet + Manaflow Band combination (70.5% win rate) plus optimal itemization Blackfire Torch, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, and Sorcerer's Shoes boosts your chances from 48.2% to 63.9% - potentially game-changing.

Survive and scale: Mel faces both matchup (48.17%) and farming disadvantages (7.35 vs 7.76/min). With a 0.41 CS/min deficit, prioritize safe farming and jungle assistance. Outclassed across the board: Malzahar leads in both matchup win rate (51.8%) and damage (836 vs 773/min). Mel must seek alternative win conditions through macro play and team coordination. Strong individual performance: Mel maintains better KDA (2.40, 24th place vs 46th for Malzahar), but loses the matchup overall. High KDA without wins suggests difficulty translating individual advantages into victory conditions.

Mel vs Malzahar - Mid Stats Comparison

Mel Mid
Mel Mid		Versus
Malzahar Mid
Malzahar Mid
CTierS
48.2%Matchup Winrate51.8%
47.53%Role Winrate51.40%
#60Winrate Rank#18
4.6%Pickrate6.2%
2.4Average KDA2.2
415Gold per Minute407
7.35CS/Min7.76
0.33Wards per Minute0.37
773Damage per Minute836

How to Beat Malzahar as Mel (Mid)

Despite the slight difference in effectiveness, in the Mel 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 Mel deals remains relevant in the late game. Look for opportunities to initiate or counter-initiate. Meanwhile, Malzahar deals primarily magic damage (96.11%), additional magic resistance may be required.

Consider the farming superiority demonstrated by Malzahar, ranking 5th (versus 11th for Mel) in farming efficiency among champions in this role. This means the opponent can build gold advantages more quickly. Meanwhile, their lower KDA (2.2 versus 2.4) suggests they are less effective in team fights.

Key aspects of the Mel Mid versus Malzahar Mid matchup

In this difficult confrontation, it is critically important for the Mel 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.

Mel vs Malzahar: 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.
47.8% Win Rate93.6% Pick Rate

Highest Win Rate

Flash
Flash Teleports you a short distance toward your cursor.
Ghost
Ghost Gain Move Speed and ignore unit collision for the duration.
74.8% Win Rate0.5% Pick Rate

Mel vs Malzahar: 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
Precision
Presence of Mind
Presence of Mind Damaging an enemy champion restores 6-50 (80% for ranged) mana or 6 energy.

Takedowns restore 15% of your maximum mana or energy.

Cooldown for damage restoration: 8s

Presence of Mind

Damaging an enemy champion restores 6-50 (80% for ranged) mana or 6 energy.Take…

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
Scaling Cooldown Reduction
Scaling Cooldown Reduction +8 Ability Haste

Scaling Cooldown Reduction

+8 Ability Haste

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

47.6% Win Rate78.3% 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
Inspiration
Biscuit Delivery
Biscuit Delivery Biscuit Delivery: Gain a Total Biscuit of Everlasting Will every 2 mins, until 6 min.

Biscuits restore 12% of your missing health. Consuming or selling a Biscuit permanently increases your max health by 30.

Biscuit Delivery

Biscuit Delivery: Gain a Total Biscuit of Everlasting Will every 2 mins, until …

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

Cosmic Insight

+18 Summoner Spell Haste+10 Item Haste

Adaptive
Attack Speed
Attack Speed Increases attack speed by 10%

Attack Speed

Increases attack speed by 10%

Scaling Cooldown Reduction
Scaling Cooldown Reduction +8 Ability Haste

Scaling Cooldown Reduction

+8 Ability Haste

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

70.5% Win Rate1.3% Pick Rate

Mel 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.
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.
49.4% Win Rate90.4% Pick Rate
Popular Boots
Sorcerer's Shoes
Sorcerer's Shoes (1100 gold) 12 Magic Penetration
45 Move Speed
47.8% Win Rate72.6% 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.
45.5% Win Rate19.4% Pick Rate
Mercury's Treads
Mercury's Treads (1250 gold) 20 Magic Resist
45 Move Speed
30% Tenacity
53.3% Win Rate1.7% 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%.
Shadowflame
Shadowflame (3200 gold) 110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damageCritically Strikes enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.
46.4% Win Rate16.6% Pick Rate
Final Build
Void Staff
Void Staff (3000 gold) 95 Ability Power
40% Magic Penetration
51.0% Win Rate21.6% Pick Rate

Best Win Rate Build

Starting Items
Oracle Lens
Oracle Lens (0 gold) Active (160 - 100s, max 2 charges)
Reveals enemy Stealth Wards and traps around you for 6 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.
50.1% Win Rate0.5% Pick Rate
Highest Winrate Boots
Mercury's Treads
Mercury's Treads (1250 gold) 20 Magic Resist
45 Move Speed
30% Tenacity
53.3% Win Rate1.7% Pick Rate
Sorcerer's Shoes
Sorcerer's Shoes (1100 gold) 12 Magic Penetration
45 Move Speed
47.8% Win Rate72.6% 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.
45.5% Win Rate19.4% 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.
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%.
63.9% Win Rate4.7% 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.
74.3% Win Rate3.2% Pick Rate
Other Items
Rabadon's Deathcap
Rabadon's Deathcap (3600 gold) 130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.
53.1% Win Rate20.4% Pick Rate
Zhonya's Hourglass
Zhonya's Hourglass (3250 gold) 105 Ability Power
50 Armor

Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.
42.4% Win Rate14.9% 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.
56.0% Win Rate7.0% 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.
56.5% Win Rate5.5% Pick Rate
Horizon Focus
Horizon Focus (2700 gold) 75 Ability Power
25 Ability Haste
Hypershot
Dealing Ability damage to champions at 600 range or greater Reveals them for 6 seconds.
Deal 10% increased damage to enemies Revealed by this item.
Focus
When Hypershot is triggered, Reveal all other enemy champions within 1400 range of them for 3 seconds.
60.3% Win Rate4.0% 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.
74.3% Win Rate3.2% Pick Rate
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.
49.4% Win Rate3.2% Pick Rate

Mel 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
Radiant Volley Mel fires a barrage of projectiles that explode around a target location, dealing damage repeatedly to enemies within the area.
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
W
W
Rebuttal Mel forms a barrier around herself that reflects enemy projectiles back at the attacker, prevents her from taking damage, and grants her movement speed.
W
W
W
W
W
E
E
Solar Snare Mel fires a radiant orb forward, rooting those at its center while the area around it slows enemies and deals damage over time.
E
E
E
E
E
R
R
Golden Eclipse Mel strikes all enemies marked with Overwhelm regardless of their distance from her, dealing additional damage for each stack of Overwhelm.

Ranks of Golden Eclipse increase Overwhelm's damage.
R
R
R
Max Order: Q > E > W
44.2% Win Rate63.2% 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
Radiant Volley Mel fires a barrage of projectiles that explode around a target location, dealing damage repeatedly to enemies within the area.
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
R
W
Rebuttal Mel forms a barrier around herself that reflects enemy projectiles back at the attacker, prevents her from taking damage, and grants her movement speed.
W
W
W
W
W
R
E
Solar Snare Mel fires a radiant orb forward, rooting those at its center while the area around it slows enemies and deals damage over time.
E
E
E
E
E
R
R
Golden Eclipse Mel strikes all enemies marked with Overwhelm regardless of their distance from her, dealing additional damage for each stack of Overwhelm.Ranks of Golden Eclipse increase Overwhelm's damage.
R
R
R
Max Order: E > Q > W
72.7% Win Rate0.6% Pick Rate

Mel tips:

  • Mel can reflect enemy projectiles, including powerful spells. Wait until she casts Rebuttal before throwing powerful projectiles her way.
  • The more Mel hits you, the more Overwhelm stacks she applies. If your health drops too low her next hit will kill you, so back off for a couple seconds to let the Overwhelm stacks fall off.

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.

Mel Mid other Matchups

Mel
+5.7%
Vex

Mel vs Vex

Mel
+3.0%
Zoe

Mel vs Zoe

Mel
+2.8%
Lux

Mel vs Lux

Mel
+2.6%
LeBlanc

Mel vs LeBlanc

Mel
+2.5%
Akali

Mel vs Akali

Mel
+2.1%
Ahri

Mel vs Ahri

Mel
+1.8%
Qiyana

Mel vs Qiyana

Mel
+1.7%
Veigar

Mel vs Veigar

Mel
+1.1%
Lissandra

Mel vs Lissandra

Mel
+1.0%
Anivia

Mel vs Anivia

Mel
-0.3%
Talon

Mel vs Talon

Mel
-1.0%
Yone

Mel vs Yone

Mel
-1.4%
Twisted Fate

Mel vs Twisted Fate

Mel
-1.4%
Hwei

Mel vs Hwei

Mel
-1.8%
Aurora

Mel vs Aurora

Mel
-1.8%
Galio

Mel vs Galio

Mel
-2.8%
Annie

Mel vs Annie

Mel
-3.0%
Zed

Mel vs Zed

Mel
-3.1%
Azir

Mel vs Azir

Mel
-3.1%
Katarina

Mel vs Katarina

Mel
-3.5%
Yasuo

Mel vs Yasuo

Mel
-3.7%
Orianna

Mel vs Orianna

Mel
-4.0%
Ekko

Mel vs Ekko

Mel
-4.2%
Taliyah

Mel vs Taliyah

Mel
-4.3%
Sylas

Mel vs Sylas

Mel
-4.3%
Ryze

Mel vs Ryze

Mel
-4.6%
Vladimir

Mel vs Vladimir

Mel
-4.9%
Irelia

Mel vs Irelia

Mel
-5.0%
Akshan

Mel vs Akshan

Mel
-6.2%
Kassadin

Mel vs Kassadin

Mel
-6.7%
Syndra

Mel vs Syndra

Mel
-6.8%
Diana

Mel vs Diana

Mel
-6.9%
Fizz

Mel vs Fizz

Mel
-7.5%
Viktor

Mel vs Viktor

Mel
-8.4%
Aurelion Sol

Mel vs Aurelion Sol

Mel
-8.5%
Xerath

Mel vs Xerath