Malzahar vs Naafiri MID Matchup Guide

Champion

Opponent

Start here

Read Overview → Trading Pattern → Danger Windows first for the fastest Mid lane plan.

Malzahar into Naafirimedium

Overview

Keep midlane pushed with and Voidlings to deny Naafiri safe poke and isolation opportunities.
Your goal is to maintain lane pressure and force Naafiri to farm under tower, limiting her all-in windows.
Track Naafiri's and hold your ultimate for reliable lockdown and punish windows.

Start trades by spreading and summoning Voidlings to pressure Naafiri.
Punish Naafiri when her is on cooldown or if she commits it into your crowd control.
Use silence proactively to interrupt Naafiri's all-in attempts and follow with lockdown when safe.

Naafiri is dangerous when her poke has lowered your health and is ready to engage.
Avoid fighting when Naafiri's is active with pack shield up.
Be cautious if Naafiri commits into your crowd control; this is her main all-in threat.

Use and to continuously push and disrupt Naafiri's poke pattern.
Avoid extended trades before level 6 to prevent getting punished by Naafiri's dash.
Respect Naafiri's poke by not stepping forward without your Passive Void Shift shield up.

Level 6 unlocks for point-and-click lockdown, shifting the lane to your favor.
First completed mana/AP item boosts your waveclear and trade reliability against Naafiri's poke.
Respect Naafiri's level 6 spike by playing cautiously and holding defensive cooldowns.

Keep midlane pushed with and Voidlings to deny Naafiri safe poke and force risky engages.
Use to lockdown Naafiri when her defensive cooldowns or mobility are down.
Maintain your Passive Void Shift shield to absorb burst and punish Naafiri's committed all-ins with crowd control.

Tactical tip

For Malzahar vs Naafiri, read overview, trading pattern, and danger windows first for a fast Mid lane check.