Sylas vs Malzahar MID Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Sylas

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Mid

Malzahar

Sylas vs Malzahar

Updated May 31, 2026

Overview

Sylas is a high-agency melee skirmisher who must use E to engage and W to sustain against Malzahar's poke and push.
Pressure Malzahar early to deny his permanent push and prevent him from safely scaling with his ultimate.

Trading pattern

Engage with E to land knockup, follow with W for sustain, and use Q to slow Malzahar for extended trades.
Punish Malzahar when his Passive Void Shift shield is down to maximize damage.
Avoid trading when Malzahar's Malzahar R is available unless you can interrupt it with your R.

Danger windows

Avoid engaging when your E or W are on cooldown as you lose your main engage and sustain tools.
Respect Malzahar's Malzahar R suppression window; use your R to steal or interrupt his ultimate when possible.
Be cautious if shoved under turret, as Malzahar can punish your weaker waveclear and melee range.

Early game

Use level 3 power spike to trade aggressively with Q-W-E combo and threaten all-ins.
Focus on killing Malzahar's Voidlings early to reduce his lane pressure and punish his push.
Avoid extended trades if your E is down to prevent being punished by Malzahar's poke and suppression.

Power spikes

Sylas's major spikes: level 3 full Q-W-E combo and level 6 R if Malzahar's ultimate is valuable.
Malzahar's major spikes: level 6 Malzahar R suppression and first completed mana/AP item.
Respect Malzahar's level 6 lockdown and be ready to counter with stolen ultimates.

Win conditions

Use E to engage and W to sustain through trades, denying Malzahar the chance to push safely.
Steal and use Malzahar's ultimate to turn his lockdown against him and create kill opportunities.
Maintain lane pressure to prevent Malzahar from roaming or scaling comfortably, forcing him into unfavorable fights.