Zilean - League of Legends Champion
Win Rate
49.6%
Pick Rate
1.3%

Zileanvs Malzahar

CSupportMage
Patch26.9
Matches514,344
LaneAll Lanes
TierAll Tiers
Last UpdatedMay 9, 2026
MethodologyData Methodology

Zilean vs Malzahar is a decisive matchup in LoL patch 26.9. Zilean wins with a 71.4% win rate (+42.9%) over Malzahar based on 7 games. Zilean holds the advantage in both the early and late game. Below you'll find the best Zilean build, runes, laning stats, and strategies for the Zilean vs Malzahar matchup.

Zilean Matchup Breakdown

Use the dropdown to select an opponent and see a detailed breakdown of how Zilean 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.

Compare against an opponent
Malzahar - 71.4% win rateMalzahar(71.4%)
Zilean - 71.4% win rate in this matchup
Zilean
71.4% WR
VS
Malzahar vs Zilean matchup - 28.6% win rate
Malzahar
28.6% WR

Who Wins the Zilean vs Malzahar Matchup?

Zilean wins the Zilean vs Malzahar matchup
Winner
Zilean
Matches: 7
71.4%
Win Rate
28.6%
5.6
CS / min
7.1
605
DMG / min
967
10,987
Gold / game
12,690
416
Heal / min
60
366
DMG Mitigated / min
524
1.1
CC / min
2.1
66.7%
Early Game WR
33.3%
75.0%
Late Game WR
25.0%

Zilean vs Malzahar Matchup Summary

The Zilean vs Malzahar matchup is a decisive matchup in League of Legends ranked play. Based on 7 recent matches analyzed, Zilean wins with a 71.4% win rate compared to Malzahar's 28.6%, giving Zilean a 42.9 percentage point advantage. Zilean dominates at every stage — from early laning through late game team fights. This consistent advantage makes it difficult for Malzahar players to find favorable windows, so team-dependent strategies and avoiding solo confrontations are essential. The most significant statistical gap is in crowd control, where Malzahar leads by 1.0s CC/min — a difference that heavily influences the outcome of trades and skirmishes. Zilean players can confidently pick into Malzahar and play aggressively from level 1. Look to establish lane dominance early through favorable trades and zone Malzahar away from CS whenever possible. Understanding these matchup dynamics is essential for champion select decisions and in-game strategy when facing this lane opponent.

Zilean vs Malzahar Laning Phase Breakdown

Malzahar wins the laning phase against Zilean in League of Legends

Malzahar is favored during the laning phase against Zilean, 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.

Farming
5.6Zilean
7.1Malzahar
Malzahar significantly out-farms Zilean by 1.5 CS per minute, accumulating an estimated 23 CS lead by mid game. This substantial farming gap gives Malzahar a major gold advantage and earlier item completions. Zilean players should prioritize wave management techniques like freezing near tower and using abilities efficiently to minimize the deficit.
Damage
605Zilean
967Malzahar
Malzahar heavily out-damages Zilean by 362 DMG/min, dominating both short trades and all-in fights. Zilean should avoid extended combat and instead focus on burst trade patterns — short engages followed by immediate disengagement — to avoid letting Malzahar's sustained damage advantage take over.
Economy
10,987Zilean
12,690Malzahar
Malzahar generates a commanding 1,703 more gold per game than Zilean. This substantial economic advantage means Malzahar consistently reaches key item breakpoints earlier, creating a compounding lead that grows throughout the game. Zilean should focus on cost-effective item choices and avoid unnecessary deaths to prevent falling further behind.
Utility
1.1Zilean
2.1Malzahar
Malzahar brings significantly more crowd control than Zilean, with 1.0 more seconds of CC per minute. This large utility gap makes Malzahar far more valuable in setting up jungle ganks, controlling objectives, and locking down targets in team fights. Zilean should invest in tenacity and position carefully to avoid being chain-CC'd.
Sustain
782Zilean
585Malzahar
Zilean vastly out-sustains Malzahar, healing and mitigating 198 more damage per minute. This massive durability gap means Zilean can absorb significant punishment and remain in lane while Malzahar is forced to recall. Building grievous wounds early is essential for Malzahar, and focusing on burst trade patterns rather than sustained fights is critical.

Best Zilean Build Against Malzahar

Spellslinger's Shoes is the optimal boots choice against Malzahar, providing the mobility and stats Zilean needs most in this matchup. The top-performing core items for Zilean against Malzahar are Luden's Echo, Seraph's Embrace and Elixir of Force. This combination gives Zilean an effective balance of damage, survivability, and utility for the matchup. Adjustments may be needed based on team compositions and game state, but this build provides the strongest foundation for the Zilean vs Malzahar matchup.

Early Game vs Late Game

Early Game
Zilean
66.7%
+33.3% advantage
Zilean early game win rateZilean66.7%
Malzahar early game win rateMalzahar33.3%
Late Game
Zilean
75.0%
+50.0% advantage
Zilean late game win rateZilean75.0%
Malzahar late game win rateMalzahar25.0%

Zilean dominates the early game (first 15 minutes) with a commanding 66.7% win rate — a 33.3 percentage point lead over Malzahar. This lopsided early game means Zilean can dictate the pace of the lane from level 1, controlling trades, wave state, and river priority.

Zilean is far superior in the late game (25+ minutes), boasting a 75.0% win rate — 50.0 points above Malzahar. Extended games heavily favor Zilean, whose kit and scaling make them a dominant force in team fights and objective control.

Zilean holds the advantage at every stage of the game, making this a consistently favorable matchup from lane through late game team fights. Malzahar players should look for outplays, team-dependent strategies, and picks rather than relying on scaling to win this matchup.

Best Zilean Runes Against Malzahar

Sorcery rune tree - Zilean primary runes vs MalzaharSorcery
Summon Aery - best Zilean rune vs MalzaharManaflow Band - best Zilean rune vs MalzaharTranscendence - best Zilean rune vs MalzaharScorch - best Zilean rune vs Malzahar
Inspiration rune tree - Zilean secondary runes vs MalzaharInspiration
Triple Tonic - best Zilean rune vs MalzaharCosmic Insight - best Zilean rune vs Malzahar
100.0% WR

Running Sorcery primary with Inspiration secondary allows Zilean to press their advantage against Malzahar, amplifying the strengths that make this a favorable matchup.


Zilean matchup data for League of Legends patch 26.9. The table below shows Zilean'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 Zilean build, runes, laning stats, and early vs late game analysis for that specific matchup.

Zilean matchup win rates and stats in League of Legends patch 26.9
Opponent
Win Rate
Matches
CS/min
DMG/min
Gold/game
Early WR
Late WR
49.40%841.63398,78730.0%60.4%
38.67%751.53588,76043.3%35.6%
50.79%631.53528,22065.6%35.5%
45.00%602.13609,00032.0%54.3%
51.72%581.63609,51738.1%59.5%
40.38%521.43658,94932.0%48.1%
41.30%461.73419,00346.7%38.7%
46.67%451.42898,30822.7%69.6%
54.76%421.33358,48855.0%54.5%
52.50%401.53269,55736.4%58.6%
43.24%371.63848,22937.5%47.6%
63.64%332.13859,90658.3%66.7%
53.13%321.73379,18140.0%59.1%
51.61%311.63548,95657.1%47.1%
51.61%311.53258,61750.0%52.9%
51.61%311.33328,93845.5%55.0%
59.26%271.63228,55760.0%58.3%
48.15%271.43718,51753.9%42.9%
61.54%261.63208,85266.7%57.1%
40.00%251.54359,35845.5%35.7%
45.45%222.23998,76150.0%40.0%
54.55%221.843610,59450.0%56.3%
27.27%221.74238,15216.7%40.0%
50.00%201.84499,55942.9%53.9%
47.37%191.63398,22144.4%50.0%
77.78%182.24029,32775.0%80.0%
18.75%162.33998,47528.6%11.1%
50.00%161.32878,22644.4%57.1%
57.14%143.34069,42642.9%71.4%
64.29%141.33948,01944.4%100.0%
53.85%131.52997,94928.6%83.3%
58.33%121.53428,50060.0%57.1%
18.18%113.547810,68525.0%14.3%
45.45%111.73247,34650.0%40.0%
60.00%102.844910,02850.0%66.7%
40.00%101.83529,72850.0%25.0%
55.56%91.53519,42433.3%66.7%
66.67%94.64729,83475.0%60.0%
12.50%82.63218,5530.0%16.7%
71.43%75.660510,98766.7%75.0%
42.86%75.366710,0960.0%50.0%
71.43%75.24679,03960.0%100.0%
50.00%63.94639,6340.0%75.0%
50.00%66.55069,26340.0%100.0%
33.33%61.53209,70450.0%25.0%
50.00%66.553011,19866.7%33.3%
33.33%65.25808,24225.0%50.0%
50.00%62.131210,2460.0%60.0%
60.00%54.962712,476100.0%33.3%
20.00%53.42957,6520.0%50.0%
40.00%53.25478,69933.3%50.0%
0.00%52.23949,4810.0%0.0%
80.00%56.95198,62475.0%100.0%

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Zilean vs Malzahar - Frequently Asked Questions

How does Zilean do against Malzahar in League of Legends?

Zilean wins the Zilean vs Malzahar matchup with a 71.4% win rate compared to Malzahar's 28.6%, a 42.9 percentage point difference. This data is based on 7 recent ranked games in patch 26.9.

How does Zilean do against Malzahar in the early game?

In the early game, Zilean has the advantage against Malzahar with a 66.7% win rate versus 33.3%. Zilean players should look to press their lane advantage through aggressive trades and wave control during the first 15 minutes.

How does Zilean do against Malzahar in the late game?

In the late game, Zilean takes over the Zilean vs Malzahar matchup with a 75.0% win rate compared to 25.0%. Zilean scales better into team fights and objective contests after 25 minutes.

Who wins the Zilean vs Malzahar matchup?

Zilean wins the matchup against Malzahar with a 71.4% win rate in League of Legends patch 26.9. The 42.9 percentage point advantage means Zilean is significantly favored in this lane matchup based on 7 games analyzed.

What is the best Zilean build against Malzahar?

The best Zilean build against Malzahar includes Luden's Echo, Seraph's Embrace, Elixir of Force with Spellslinger's Shoes. Check the matchup breakdown above for the full item path and build order.

What are the best Zilean runes against Malzahar?

The best Zilean runes against Malzahar use the Sorcery primary tree with Inspiration secondary. This rune setup achieves a 100.0% win rate in the Zilean vs Malzahar matchup. See the full rune breakdown in the matchup comparison above.

Does Zilean counter Malzahar?

Yes, Zilean has a favorable matchup against Malzahar with a 71.4% win rate. Zilean strongly counters Malzahar in lane based on current patch 26.9 data.

How do I play Zilean against Malzahar?

When playing Zilean against Malzahar, 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.