Gwen vs Malzahar TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Malzahar

Gwen vs Malzahar

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Overview

Prioritize stacking (Q) before committing to trades to maximize damage against Malzahar's wave control and poke.
Manage lane pressure carefully to avoid giving Malzahar a passive lane, as he thrives on permanent wave push and map presence.
This is a scale-focused matchup where Gwen must survive early control and reach her AP item spikes for extended skirmishes.

Trading pattern

Engage trades only when (Q) is fully stacked and (W) is available to block Malzahar's retaliation spells.
Use (E) to control spacing and avoid (Q) silence and voidlings damage.
Punish Malzahar when he wastes his (W) voidlings or after he uses (R), as his lockdown and damage threat temporarily drops.

Danger windows

Be cautious around (R) suppression window at level 6; avoid committing without (W) ready.
Vulnerable when (W) is down, as Malzahar can punish with ranged spells and (Q) silence.
Early levels before your item spikes are risky; avoid extended trades and focus on safe stacking of (Q).

Early game

Use early waves to stack (Q) safely while avoiding Malzahar's push and poke damage.
Avoid extended fights before level 6 when (R) suppression becomes a major threat.
Focus on wave control to prevent Malzahar from pushing you under tower and punishing your positioning.

Power spikes

At level 6, use (R) after stacking (Q) to turn trades into kills by slowing and chasing Malzahar.
After your first and second AP items, pressure side lanes and teamfights where (W) can deny Malzahar's poke.
Respect Malzahar's level 6 (R) suppression and his first completed mana/AP item spike by avoiding fights when these are available.

Win conditions

Reach your AP item spikes and stack (Q) fully before committing to extended fights.
Use (W) to negate Malzahar's poke and (R) to chase down and kill after initiating trades.
Pressure side lanes and join teamfights where your sustained damage and mist zone can outlast Malzahar's control.