Mordekaiser aims to control the lane by forcing extended trades where his passive and (W) shield sustain outvalue Pantheon's burst.
Prioritize denying Pantheon early empowered trades by managing wave and threat of (E) pull to prevent his stun setups.
This is a control vs snowball matchup; Mordekaiser must survive early pressure and leverage level 6 (R) to isolate Pantheon from map impact.
Trading pattern
Initiate trades by threatening (E) to pull Pantheon into your passive and (Q) isolated damage zone.
Extend trades only when your passive is active and (W) shield is charged to survive Pantheon's burst.
Avoid trading when (E) is down or Pantheon’s empowered abilities are ready, as his burst and stun will punish you hard.
Danger windows
Pantheon’s (W) stun combined with empowered (Q) creates a lethal burst window early; respect this by avoiding trades without (W) cooldown.
When Pantheon’s (E) damage block is active, your damage is mitigated; avoid extended trades during this time.
Be cautious if Pantheon crashes waves and roams with (R); hard push and take plates or ping for assistance when he leaves.
Early game
Use early wave control to keep Pantheon within (E) pull range and threaten extended trades before he can safely use empowered abilities.
Avoid engaging immediately after missing (E) to prevent Pantheon from punishing with (W) stun and empowered (Q).
Focus on sustaining through Pantheon's burst windows by timing (W) shield and healing to outlast his short trades.
Power spikes
At level 6, use (R) to isolate Pantheon and force a duel he cannot escape, capitalizing on his limited mobility.
First AP bruiser item spike improves your sustain and damage, enabling longer trades where your passive outperforms Pantheon’s burst.
Respect Pantheon’s level 2-3 empowered trade window; avoid all-ins during his stun and damage block cooldowns.
Win conditions
Use wave control and (E) pull pressure to force Pantheon into extended trades where your passive and (W) shield win fights.
At level 6, isolate Pantheon with (R) when you have health or item advantage to secure kills or force summoner spells.
Deny Pantheon’s early snowball by surviving his burst windows and punishing cooldowns, then transition to side lane duels and teamfights where you excel.
Tip: For Mordekaiser vs Pantheon, read overview, trading pattern, and danger windows first for a fast Top lane check.
