Malzahar vs Katarina MID Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Malzahar

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Mid

Katarina

Malzahar vs Katarina

Updated May 31, 2026

Overview

Malzahar is a control mage who must keep the wave pushed constantly to limit Katarina's roam and reset potential.
Maintain medium lane pressure to deny Katarina a passive scaling window and punish her weak early wave control.

Trading pattern

Push with E and Voidlings, then punish Katarina when she steps forward by threatening Q silence or R lockdown.
Respect Katarina's dagger placement and avoid engaging while Katarina's E is available for mobility and resets.
Capitalize on Katarina's cooldowns spent on daggers or mobility to land short trades and silence her follow-up.

Danger windows

Katarina is dangerous when her daggers are positioned near you or escape paths, enabling burst and resets.
Her R channel is lethal if uninterrupted; hold R to counter or silence before she commits.
Avoid extended trades when Katarina's E is up and resets are possible; she can punish overcommitment.

Early game

Use E and W to push the wave early and force Katarina under tower where she struggles.
Avoid extended trades before level 6 as Katarina's mobility and resets are dangerous without your ultimate.
Keep Voidlings alive to maintain lane control but be wary of Katarina's area damage clearing them.

Power spikes

Malzahar's major spikes are level 6 R and first completed mana/AP item.
Katarina's major spikes are level 3 dagger setup with Q-W-E, level 6 Katarina R, and first completed burst item.
Respect Katarina's level 6 all-in threat and avoid engaging without your R ready.

Win conditions

Keep the wave pushed permanently to deny Katarina safe dagger setups and roam opportunities.
Use R lockdown after silencing Katarina with Q to secure kills and snowball lane control.
Punish Katarina's mobility cooldowns and interrupted R channels to force her out of lane and control mid map pressure.