How to Play Warden Malzahar
A stage-by-stage plan for Warden Malzahar: opener, when to level and roll for Malzahar, and where to position the board.
- Tier
- S
- Top 4 rate
- 72.7%
- Avg place
- 3.73
- 1st place
- 15.9%
- Playstyle
- 3-cost reroll
- Games
- 44
How to level and roll with Warden Malzahar
3-cost rerollWarden Malzahar is a reroll comp: slow roll at level 7 from stage 4-1, keeping 50+ gold and rolling only the excess until Malzahar, Nautilus, and Zoe reach 3 stars. At level 7, each shop slot has a 40% chance to be a 3-cost.
| Stage | Level | Action | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-1 | 4 | Level | Level to 4 and play your strongest pairs; slam an early item if it saves HP. |
| 2-5 | 5 | Level | Level to 5 and keep building interest toward 50 gold. |
| 3-2 | 6 | Level | Level to 6 and save to 50 gold. |
| 4-1 | 7 | Slow roll | Stay at level 7: roll only the gold above 50 each round until Malzahar, Nautilus, and Zoe hit 3 stars. |
| 4-2 | 7 | Slow roll | Stay at level 7: roll only the gold above 50 each round until Malzahar, Nautilus, and Zoe hit 3 stars. |
| 4-5 | 8 | Level | Level to 8 for 4-cost upgrades and a stronger frontline. |
| 5-1 | 8 | Roll down | Roll for the last upgrades and finish the board around Malzahar. |
Warden Malzahar early game and opener
We don't have enough early-board data for Warden Malzahar yet. Play your strongest pairs early and hold units that share traits with Malzahar.
Rolling odds for Warden Malzahar
Your 3-star targets are Malzahar, Nautilus, and Zoe. Level 7 gives the best shop odds for them — use the calculator to see how much gold a 3-star costs.
Rolldown calculator: Malzahar
Pre-set to this comp's roll level. Change copies owned, copies other players hold and your gold.
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Warden Malzahar positioning
A starting board for Warden Malzahar. Drag units to adjust it, switch to the anti-assassin layout when the lobby has divers, and copy the Team Planner code into the TFT client.
- Corner Seraphine on the back line and put Braum in front of it.
- Split Seraphine and Zoe across the back line so a single area spell can't hit both.
- Braum, Nautilus, and Loris hold the front line — put the tankiest one opposite the enemy carry.
- Against assassins, step your carries up one row and leave Cho'Gath and Xin Zhao in the back corners as bait.
Positioning board
Drag a unit onto another hex to move it — dropping on a unit swaps them.
When to play Warden Malzahar
Strengths
- Average place better than 78% of comps of the same board size
- Wins the lobby often (15.9% first places)
- Big power spike once Malzahar, Nautilus, and Zoe hit 3 stars
- Two damage threats (Malzahar and Zoe) make itemizing flexible
Weaknesses
- Falls off hard if someone else is rerolling Malzahar, Nautilus, and Zoe
Strategic Tips
Economy
Reach 50 gold, then slow roll at level 7 with only the excess until Malzahar, Nautilus, and Zoe are 3-starred.
Itemization
Build Radiant Jeweled Gauntlet, Spear of Shojin, and Void Staff on Malzahar.
When to pivot
Scout at 2-1 and 3-2: if two or more players hold your core units, or you haven't found any by 3-2, move into one of the comps on the Similar Comps tab instead of forcing Warden Malzahar.
Get the Winning Edge
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How to play Warden Malzahar – FAQ (TFT Set 16)
How do you play Warden Malzahar?
Warden Malzahar is a reroll comp: slow roll at level 7 from stage 4-1, keeping 50+ gold and rolling only the excess until Malzahar, Nautilus, and Zoe reach 3 stars. Corner Seraphine on the back line and put Braum in front of it. Build Radiant Jeweled Gauntlet, Spear of Shojin, and Void Staff on Malzahar.
When should I roll down for Warden Malzahar?
Warden Malzahar doesn't do one big roll down. Slow roll at level 7 from stage 4-1, rolling only the gold above 50 until Malzahar, Nautilus, and Zoe are 3-starred.
What level do you roll for Malzahar?
Slow roll for Malzahar at level 7, where its cost tier shows up most often in the shop. At level 7, each shop slot has a 40% chance to be a 3-cost.
Is Warden Malzahar a reroll comp?
Yes. Warden Malzahar wants Malzahar, Nautilus, and Zoe at 3 stars, so slow roll at level 7 with gold above 50 until you hit them.
How do you position Warden Malzahar?
Corner Seraphine on the back line and put Braum in front of it. Split Seraphine and Zoe across the back line so a single area spell can't hit both. Braum, Nautilus, and Loris hold the front line — put the tankiest one opposite the enemy carry. Against assassins, step your carries up one row and leave Cho'Gath and Xin Zhao in the back corners as bait.
What is the best opener for Warden Malzahar?
Warden Malzahar has no fixed opener: play your strongest early pairs, keep HP high and hold units that share traits with Malzahar.