
Malzaharvs Riven
Malzahar vs Riven is a decisive matchup in LoL patch 26.11. Malzahar wins with a 54.0% win rate (+8.0%) over Riven based on 50 games. Malzahar wins the early laning phase while Riven scales better into the late game. Below you'll find the best Malzahar build, runes, laning stats, and strategies for the Malzahar vs Riven matchup.
Malzahar Matchup Breakdown
Use the dropdown to select an opponent and see a detailed breakdown of how Malzahar performs against them. You'll get head-to-head win rates, laning stats, the best build and runes for the matchup, and early vs late game analysis — all based on real ranked data.
Who Wins the Malzahar vs Riven Matchup?

Malzahar vs Riven Matchup Summary
The Malzahar vs Riven matchup is a decisive matchup in League of Legends ranked play. Based on 50 recent matches analyzed, Malzahar wins with a 54.0% win rate compared to Riven's 46.0%, giving Malzahar a 8.0 percentage point advantage. Game phase dynamics play a critical role here: Malzahar controls the early laning stage, but Riven outscales as the game goes longer. The matchup shifts dramatically depending on game length — Malzahar needs to press advantages before Riven reaches their power spikes, while Riven should focus on safe farming and hitting key item breakpoints. The most significant statistical gap is in crowd control, where Malzahar leads by 1.3s CC/min — a difference that heavily influences the outcome of trades and skirmishes. Malzahar players can confidently pick into Riven and play aggressively from level 1. Look to establish lane dominance early through favorable trades and zone Riven away from CS whenever possible. Understanding these matchup dynamics is essential for champion select decisions and in-game strategy when facing this lane opponent.
Malzahar vs Riven Laning Phase Breakdown
Malzahar is favored during the laning phase against Riven, winning 4 out of 5 key stat categories. Malzahar holds advantages in farming, damage, gold income and crowd control, making them the stronger laner in this matchup.
Best Malzahar Build Against Riven
Spellslinger's Shoes is the optimal boots choice against Riven, providing the mobility and stats Malzahar needs most in this matchup. The top-performing core items for Malzahar against Riven are Liandry's Torment, Rylai's Crystal Scepter and Blackfire Torch. This combination gives Malzahar an effective balance of damage, survivability, and utility for the matchup. This build performs exceptionally well, achieving a 55.6% win rate across 9 games — well above average and making it the top item path against Riven. Adjustments may be needed based on team compositions and game state, but this build provides the strongest foundation for the Malzahar vs Riven matchup.
Early Game vs Late Game
Malzahar dominates the early game (first 15 minutes) with a commanding 62.5% win rate — a 25.0 percentage point lead over Riven. This lopsided early game means Malzahar can dictate the pace of the lane from level 1, controlling trades, wave state, and river priority.
Riven is far superior in the late game (25+ minutes), boasting a 53.9% win rate — 7.7 points above Malzahar. Extended games heavily favor Riven, whose kit and scaling make them a dominant force in team fights and objective control.
This matchup features a dramatic power shift: Malzahar must aggressively press their early advantage and close out the game before Riven reaches their scaling breakpoints. If Riven survives the laning phase without falling too far behind, the matchup flips in their favor. Dragon and Rift Herald control are pivotal — the team that secures early objectives can snowball or buy time to scale.
Best Malzahar Runes Against Riven
Running Sorcery primary with Inspiration secondary allows Malzahar to press their advantage against Riven, amplifying the strengths that make this a favorable matchup.
Malzahar matchup data for League of Legends patch 26.11. The table below shows Malzahar's win rate, gold difference, and performance stats against every champion in the current meta. Click any champion name to see a detailed head-to-head breakdown including the best Malzahar build, runes, laning stats, and early vs late game analysis for that specific matchup.
Opponent | Win Rate | Matches | CS/min | DMG/min | Gold/game | Early WR | Late WR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51.08% | 415 | 7.6 | 881 | 12,450 | 46.7% | 54.0% | |
| 55.31% | 358 | 7.5 | 922 | 12,419 | 60.3% | 51.5% | |
| 49.23% | 323 | 7.5 | 908 | 12,553 | 59.2% | 42.5% | |
| 44.94% | 267 | 7.2 | 819 | 12,333 | 42.3% | 46.5% | |
| 51.85% | 243 | 7.5 | 939 | 12,134 | 43.0% | 58.8% | |
| 52.19% | 228 | 7.3 | 968 | 12,520 | 45.6% | 56.5% | |
| 49.77% | 213 | 7.5 | 805 | 12,379 | 50.6% | 49.2% | |
| 54.82% | 197 | 7.5 | 838 | 11,936 | 56.8% | 52.9% | |
| 51.78% | 197 | 7.4 | 782 | 12,116 | 50.0% | 53.1% | |
| 51.04% | 192 | 7.5 | 878 | 12,488 | 42.2% | 58.8% | |
| 53.44% | 189 | 7.5 | 771 | 12,228 | 63.9% | 45.3% | |
| 53.98% | 176 | 7.4 | 805 | 11,855 | 52.0% | 55.6% | |
| 51.81% | 166 | 7.3 | 925 | 12,260 | 47.9% | 54.7% | |
| 53.01% | 166 | 7.3 | 856 | 12,002 | 52.9% | 53.1% | |
| 53.33% | 150 | 7.6 | 869 | 12,449 | 49.1% | 55.9% | |
| 46.62% | 148 | 7.4 | 825 | 11,917 | 44.3% | 48.3% | |
| 54.68% | 139 | 7.5 | 898 | 12,683 | 43.8% | 60.4% | |
| 48.91% | 137 | 7.2 | 897 | 13,023 | 45.2% | 50.5% | |
| 53.73% | 134 | 7.5 | 884 | 12,680 | 51.8% | 55.1% | |
| 40.15% | 132 | 7.5 | 792 | 11,741 | 45.8% | 35.6% | |
| 53.44% | 131 | 7.3 | 881 | 12,494 | 50.0% | 55.8% | |
| 47.97% | 123 | 7.7 | 881 | 12,476 | 39.6% | 54.3% | |
| 55.74% | 122 | 7.7 | 1,026 | 12,451 | 59.6% | 52.3% | |
| 48.28% | 116 | 7.6 | 899 | 12,942 | 36.2% | 56.5% | |
| 43.10% | 116 | 7.4 | 817 | 12,075 | 43.8% | 42.6% | |
| 59.13% | 115 | 7.1 | 879 | 12,582 | 52.3% | 63.4% | |
| 47.12% | 104 | 7.2 | 950 | 12,004 | 56.0% | 38.9% | |
| 52.88% | 104 | 7.6 | 856 | 13,511 | 53.3% | 52.7% | |
| 51.92% | 104 | 7.5 | 891 | 12,282 | 57.5% | 47.4% | |
| 48.04% | 102 | 7.5 | 823 | 12,571 | 47.2% | 48.5% | |
| 50.00% | 98 | 7.5 | 898 | 12,476 | 55.0% | 46.5% | |
| 53.13% | 96 | 7.4 | 885 | 12,676 | 65.7% | 45.9% | |
| 63.16% | 95 | 7.8 | 1,012 | 13,022 | 66.7% | 61.0% | |
| 60.22% | 93 | 7.8 | 874 | 12,768 | 71.4% | 51.0% | |
| 62.22% | 90 | 7.6 | 909 | 12,150 | 65.8% | 59.2% | |
| 56.41% | 78 | 7.2 | 932 | 13,822 | 65.4% | 51.9% | |
| 30.26% | 76 | 7.5 | 950 | 11,514 | 29.7% | 30.8% | |
| 46.05% | 76 | 7.3 | 916 | 11,122 | 48.8% | 42.4% | |
| 40.85% | 71 | 7.6 | 867 | 12,525 | 34.4% | 46.1% | |
| 59.70% | 67 | 7.8 | 867 | 11,977 | 62.9% | 56.3% | |
| 48.39% | 62 | 7.3 | 847 | 13,915 | 31.3% | 54.4% | |
| 40.32% | 62 | 6.6 | 903 | 11,884 | 32.1% | 47.1% | |
| 41.38% | 58 | 7.1 | 888 | 11,600 | 41.7% | 41.2% | |
| 56.86% | 51 | 7.3 | 799 | 12,332 | 60.0% | 54.8% | |
| 54.00% | 50 | 8.0 | 886 | 12,581 | 62.5% | 46.1% | |
| 56.00% | 50 | 7.4 | 879 | 12,722 | 44.4% | 62.5% | |
| 61.70% | 47 | 7.6 | 878 | 12,342 | 59.1% | 64.0% | |
| 52.27% | 44 | 6.7 | 836 | 12,159 | 43.8% | 57.1% | |
| 51.16% | 43 | 7.3 | 1,175 | 12,827 | 41.7% | 54.8% | |
| 54.76% | 42 | 7.5 | 836 | 12,153 | 61.9% | 47.6% | |
| 48.78% | 41 | 7.5 | 814 | 11,866 | 33.3% | 60.9% | |
| 75.00% | 40 | 7.4 | 980 | 12,811 | 76.5% | 73.9% | |
| 45.00% | 40 | 7.2 | 746 | 11,769 | 29.4% | 56.5% | |
| 39.47% | 38 | 7.9 | 885 | 12,363 | 37.5% | 40.9% | |
| 57.89% | 38 | 7.2 | 883 | 13,118 | 62.5% | 56.7% | |
| 55.26% | 38 | 7.7 | 936 | 13,091 | 68.8% | 45.5% | |
| 54.55% | 33 | 8.0 | 1,004 | 13,461 | 61.5% | 50.0% | |
| 34.38% | 32 | 5.5 | 738 | 10,984 | 33.3% | 35.3% | |
| 46.67% | 30 | 6.9 | 853 | 13,886 | 44.4% | 47.6% | |
| 48.28% | 29 | 7.5 | 968 | 12,545 | 58.3% | 41.2% | |
| 39.29% | 28 | 7.7 | 795 | 12,816 | 33.3% | 42.1% | |
| 50.00% | 28 | 7.6 | 865 | 12,913 | 70.0% | 38.9% | |
| 48.00% | 25 | 7.2 | 915 | 11,076 | 41.7% | 53.9% | |
| 32.00% | 25 | 6.9 | 835 | 13,090 | 55.6% | 18.8% | |
| 50.00% | 24 | 7.3 | 1,156 | 11,534 | 27.3% | 69.2% | |
| 50.00% | 24 | 7.3 | 818 | 12,181 | 30.0% | 64.3% | |
| 47.83% | 23 | 7.5 | 862 | 12,773 | 44.4% | 50.0% | |
| 56.52% | 23 | 7.7 | 924 | 11,556 | 80.0% | 38.5% | |
| 30.43% | 23 | 6.8 | 819 | 11,295 | 33.3% | 27.3% | |
| 65.22% | 23 | 7.4 | 785 | 13,496 | 44.4% | 78.6% | |
| 56.52% | 23 | 7.6 | 790 | 11,155 | 54.5% | 58.3% | |
| 76.19% | 21 | 6.6 | 795 | 11,518 | 66.7% | 88.9% | |
| 47.37% | 19 | 7.4 | 824 | 12,944 | 50.0% | 46.1% | |
| 55.56% | 18 | 7.5 | 789 | 13,678 | 50.0% | 58.3% | |
| 55.56% | 18 | 7.7 | 890 | 11,147 | 54.5% | 57.1% | |
| 33.33% | 18 | 7.4 | 841 | 11,137 | 14.3% | 45.5% | |
| 44.44% | 18 | 7.9 | 1,001 | 12,389 | 50.0% | 33.3% | |
| 64.71% | 17 | 6.1 | 765 | 12,422 | 85.7% | 50.0% | |
| 35.29% | 17 | 8.1 | 884 | 11,849 | 30.0% | 42.9% | |
| 29.41% | 17 | 7.4 | 821 | 13,157 | 16.7% | 36.4% | |
| 52.94% | 17 | 7.5 | 994 | 15,552 | 60.0% | 50.0% | |
| 58.82% | 17 | 7.4 | 697 | 11,333 | 75.0% | 44.4% | |
| 47.06% | 17 | 7.6 | 975 | 14,333 | 40.0% | 50.0% | |
| 68.75% | 16 | 7.0 | 967 | 13,337 | 80.0% | 63.6% | |
| 40.00% | 15 | 7.2 | 773 | 10,729 | 62.5% | 14.3% | |
| 46.67% | 15 | 6.9 | 1,001 | 11,995 | 50.0% | 42.9% | |
| 66.67% | 15 | 7.4 | 1,062 | 14,126 | 66.7% | 66.7% | |
| 40.00% | 15 | 7.6 | 985 | 11,636 | 50.0% | 33.3% | |
| 21.43% | 14 | 6.7 | 1,014 | 12,343 | 0.0% | 33.3% | |
| 42.86% | 14 | 6.7 | 909 | 12,841 | 40.0% | 44.4% | |
| 25.00% | 12 | 7.5 | 726 | 13,364 | 0.0% | 50.0% | |
| 58.33% | 12 | 7.9 | 878 | 14,158 | 60.0% | 57.1% | |
| 41.67% | 12 | 7.6 | 854 | 14,637 | 0.0% | 45.5% | |
| 27.27% | 11 | 7.6 | 867 | 10,710 | 37.5% | 0.0% | |
| 81.82% | 11 | 7.8 | 764 | 12,053 | 88.9% | 50.0% | |
| 60.00% | 10 | 7.8 | 1,060 | 12,693 | 20.0% | 100.0% | |
| 70.00% | 10 | 7.4 | 801 | 11,655 | 33.3% | 85.7% | |
| 30.00% | 10 | 7.4 | 882 | 13,854 | 0.0% | 42.9% | |
| 44.44% | 9 | 7.8 | 1,018 | 12,350 | 60.0% | 25.0% | |
| 33.33% | 9 | 4.1 | 679 | 11,531 | 0.0% | 37.5% | |
| 22.22% | 9 | 6.6 | 704 | 10,997 | 25.0% | 20.0% | |
| 44.44% | 9 | 3.4 | 582 | 7,138 | 50.0% | 33.3% | |
| 66.67% | 9 | 7.3 | 828 | 12,753 | 66.7% | 66.7% | |
| 55.56% | 9 | 6.2 | 814 | 12,752 | 66.7% | 50.0% | |
| 44.44% | 9 | 6.3 | 946 | 13,628 | 50.0% | 42.9% | |
| 22.22% | 9 | 7.6 | 844 | 13,143 | 50.0% | 0.0% | |
| 66.67% | 9 | 7.5 | 926 | 11,368 | 71.4% | 50.0% | |
| 62.50% | 8 | 7.0 | 873 | 11,713 | 100.0% | 40.0% | |
| 50.00% | 8 | 6.7 | 769 | 14,468 | 100.0% | 42.9% | |
| 37.50% | 8 | 6.8 | 777 | 11,131 | 33.3% | 40.0% | |
| 37.50% | 8 | 7.2 | 934 | 15,532 | 0.0% | 37.5% | |
| 50.00% | 8 | 7.5 | 1,118 | 13,834 | 80.0% | 0.0% | |
| 75.00% | 8 | 7.4 | 802 | 10,066 | 60.0% | 100.0% | |
| 50.00% | 8 | 7.5 | 980 | 12,963 | 40.0% | 66.7% | |
| 50.00% | 8 | 7.8 | 761 | 12,365 | 50.0% | 50.0% | |
| 42.86% | 7 | 4.3 | 731 | 10,311 | 50.0% | 33.3% | |
| 42.86% | 7 | 4.0 | 781 | 11,164 | 0.0% | 60.0% | |
| 28.57% | 7 | 7.3 | 954 | 14,832 | 0.0% | 33.3% | |
| 71.43% | 7 | 7.6 | 735 | 10,863 | 50.0% | 100.0% | |
| 42.86% | 7 | 7.6 | 1,039 | 15,321 | 50.0% | 33.3% | |
| 83.33% | 6 | 6.5 | 899 | 12,719 | 66.7% | 100.0% | |
| 33.33% | 6 | 5.3 | 689 | 10,594 | 0.0% | 50.0% | |
| 50.00% | 6 | 2.0 | 661 | 7,341 | 25.0% | 100.0% | |
| 40.00% | 5 | 6.3 | 744 | 12,022 | 100.0% | 25.0% | |
| 40.00% | 5 | 5.1 | 796 | 10,946 | 50.0% | 33.3% | |
| 60.00% | 5 | 3.3 | 693 | 10,835 | 66.7% | 50.0% | |
| 40.00% | 5 | 7.6 | 939 | 11,673 | 25.0% | 100.0% | |
| 20.00% | 5 | 7.6 | 899 | 13,751 | 0.0% | 20.0% | |
| 60.00% | 5 | 7.3 | 977 | 12,636 | 50.0% | 66.7% | |
| 60.00% | 5 | 5.7 | 781 | 11,362 | 50.0% | 66.7% | |
| 60.00% | 5 | 2.7 | 445 | 11,314 | 0.0% | 100.0% | |
| 40.00% | 5 | 3.0 | 707 | 9,903 | 0.0% | 50.0% | |
| 80.00% | 5 | 6.8 | 1,045 | 14,357 | 50.0% | 100.0% | |
Help us maintain accuracy! If you notice incorrect stats, missing data, or any issues, your feedback directly improves the quality of our data for the entire community.
Malzahar vs Riven - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Malzahar do against Riven in League of Legends?
Malzahar wins the Malzahar vs Riven matchup with a 54.0% win rate compared to Riven's 46.0%, a 8.0 percentage point difference. This data is based on 50 recent ranked games in patch 26.11.
How does Malzahar do against Riven in the early game?
In the early game, Malzahar has the advantage against Riven with a 62.5% win rate versus 37.5%. Malzahar players should look to press their lane advantage through aggressive trades and wave control during the first 15 minutes.
How does Malzahar do against Riven in the late game?
In the late game, Riven takes over the Malzahar vs Riven matchup with a 53.9% win rate compared to 46.1%. Riven scales better into team fights and objective contests after 25 minutes.
Who wins the Malzahar vs Riven matchup?
Malzahar wins the matchup against Riven with a 54.0% win rate in League of Legends patch 26.11. The 8.0 percentage point advantage means Malzahar is significantly favored in this lane matchup based on 50 games analyzed.
What is the best Malzahar build against Riven?
The best Malzahar build against Riven includes Liandry's Torment, Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Blackfire Torch with Spellslinger's Shoes. This build achieves a 55.6% win rate in the matchup. Check the matchup breakdown above for the full item path and build order.
What are the best Malzahar runes against Riven?
The best Malzahar runes against Riven use the Sorcery primary tree with Inspiration secondary. This rune setup achieves a 61.5% win rate in the Malzahar vs Riven matchup. See the full rune breakdown in the matchup comparison above.
Does Malzahar counter Riven?
Yes, Malzahar has a favorable matchup against Riven with a 54.0% win rate. Malzahar strongly counters Riven in lane based on current patch 26.11 data.
How do I play Malzahar against Riven?
When playing Malzahar against Riven, leverage your statistical advantages by trading aggressively during favorable windows. You have early game priority — look for kills and zone control before first recall. Build the recommended items and runes for this specific matchup for the best results.
