Malzahar vs Poppy TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Malzahar

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Poppy

Malzahar vs Poppy

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Use your wave control and Voidlings to keep lane pressure and deny Poppy easy farming near walls.
This is a control lane where you want to maintain push priority to enable your map presence and avoid giving Poppy safe scaling windows.

Trading pattern

Push with (E) and Voidlings, then threaten silence (Q) or (R) when Poppy steps forward to trade.
Punish Poppy after she wastes (W) to block dashes by stepping up for short trades or wave pressure.
Avoid trading near walls where Poppy can reliably land (E) stuns and use (W) defensively.

Danger windows

Be cautious when (W) is up and you are near walls, as she can deny your mobility and set up stuns.
Avoid overextending when (E) is available near terrain to prevent being stunned and punished.
Watch for (R) knockaway in fights, which can interrupt your (R) and force you out of position.

Early game

Focus on pushing with (E) and Voidlings to prevent Poppy from setting up wall stuns or engaging with (E).
Avoid predictable patterns that let Poppy bait her (W) to stop your movement or punish your positioning.
Respect Poppy's early shield and (Q) slow by spacing to avoid short trades where she can retaliate quickly.

Power spikes

At level 6, track your (R) availability to secure picks or reset fights; avoid forcing it blindly to prevent interruption.
After your first completed mana/AP item, increase pressure on waves and trades as your damage and control improve.
Respect Poppy's level 6 (R) knockaway as a disengage tool that can ruin your ultimate channel or all-in attempts.

Win conditions

Maintain permanent lane pressure with your Voidlings and (E) to deny Poppy safe farming and scaling.
Use your level 6 (R) to lock down Poppy or other targets for picks, enabling your team to gain objectives.
Control the wave and force Poppy away from walls to reduce her engage threat and capitalize on her limited reach.