Yone vs Malzahar TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Malzahar

Yone vs Malzahar

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Yone is a scaling skirmisher who must use (E) + (Q) combos to force trades and exit safely against Malzahar's push and control style.
Focus on denying Malzahar the ability to keep the wave permanently pushed by applying pressure with well-timed trades and wave control.
This matchup is a snowball vs control lane where Yone must leverage cooldown windows and power spikes to break Malzahar's lane control.

Trading pattern

Stack (Q) to threaten knockup, then use (E) and second (Q) to gap close and trade quickly before snapping back to safety.
Punish Malzahar when his passive shield is down or after he uses (Q) silence by engaging with your (E) combo.
Avoid trading when (R) suppression is available; save your (R) or crowd control to interrupt or counter it.

Danger windows

Beware of (R) suppression after level 6; do not overcommit without your own crowd control or team backup.
Avoid using (E) from poor positions as Malzahar can punish your predictable return location.
Be cautious when your key abilities like (Q) knockup or (R) displacement are on cooldown, as you become vulnerable to Malzahar's poke and lockdown.

Early game

Use levels 1-3 to farm safely and look for short trades with (E) + (Q) once (W) shield is available to mitigate poke.
Avoid extended trades early as Malzahar's passive shield and voidlings can punish overcommitment.
Prioritize hitting level 3 to unlock your full trade combo and shield for safer aggression.

Power spikes

At level 3, use your (Q)-(W)-(E) combo confidently to force trades with shield protection and planned exit.
After your first attack-speed item, increase pressure on waves and trades while tracking Malzahar's cooldowns.
Respect Malzahar's level 6 (R) suppression; engage only when it's down or you can interrupt it with crowd control.

Win conditions

Use your (E) + (Q) combo to force trades and deny Malzahar's wave control, preventing him from scaling comfortably.
Exploit windows when Malzahar's passive shield or (R) is down to engage aggressively and snowball the lane.
Scale into a strong side-lane threat by applying pressure with your mobility and crowd control to influence teamfights and objectives.