Qiyana vs Malzahar MID Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Qiyana

VS

Mid

Malzahar

Qiyana vs Malzahar

Updated May 31, 2026

Overview

Qiyana must use terrain and element control to create burst windows against Malzahar's push-heavy, control style.
Pressure Malzahar early to deny his lane push and prevent him from safely scaling with Malzahar W and E.

Trading pattern

Prepare the optimal element with W and use Q for poke and setup before committing with E when Malzahar's key cooldowns (Malzahar Q and R) are down.
Punish Malzahar after he uses Malzahar R or Malzahar Q by engaging quickly for burst trades near terrain.
Avoid trading when Malzahar's spell shield (Void Shift) is active or when Malzahar can safely push with Voidlings.

Danger windows

Malzahar's R suppression is a lethal threat; avoid fights when it's available and respect its range.
Be cautious when Malzahar's passive Void Shift spell shield is up, as it blocks your initial crowd control.
Avoid committing E without a clear escape or kill threat, especially if Malzahar's silence (Malzahar Q) is ready.

Early game

Use early levels to aggressively clear Malzahar's Voidlings and punish his predictable push pattern.
Avoid committing E without lethal threat since Malzahar's passive shield and silence can punish overextensions.
Manage wave to keep it on your side, limiting Malzahar's ability to push and roam.

Power spikes

Qiyana spikes at level 3 with full Q-W-E combo and at level 6 with R around terrain.
Malzahar's major spike is level 6 when Malzahar R (Malzahar R) becomes available.
Respect Malzahar's level 6 spike by avoiding all-ins without terrain advantage or cooldowns on his suppression.

Win conditions

Win by using element swaps and terrain to burst Malzahar quickly before he can retaliate.
Deny Malzahar's push by killing Voidlings early and forcing him under tower.
Snowball lead by roaming or winning river skirmishes with R to leverage terrain stuns and secure kills.