MacroMind matchup data: real ranked games, not opinions
Gangplank vs Malzahar
What is Gangplank's win rate vs Malzahar?
In Top, Gangplank wins 53% against Malzahar across 127 observed ranked games.
Global ranked sample: games from every region and every rank pooled together, not one server's stats. Data runs through patch 26.12; curves updated 2026-08-07.
By 15 minutes the median game has Gangplank ahead by 776 gold.
Gangplank at 15:00
- Gold: +776
- CS: -8
- XP: +546
Typical gap to Malzahar, from 127 games that reached 15:00.
Does Gangplank counter Malzahar?
Too close to call. Gangplank sits at 53% over 127 games, so neither pick counters the other here. The lane goes to whoever wins the spots below, like the gold lead at 10:00 or staying alive until 15:00, so play for those and let the pick argument go.
How to beat Malzahar as Gangplank
When Gangplank is ahead in gold at 10:00, this matchup runs 57% over 82 games; behind, it drops to 44% over 45.
| The spot | Win rate | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Ahead in gold at 10:00 | 57% | 82 |
| Behind in gold at 10:00 | 44% | 45 |
| First blood | 55% | 77 |
| +kills at 10:00 | 52% | 62 |
| 0 deaths at 10:00 | 59% | 59 |
The median first death in this lane comes at 8:59; the level 6 spike lands around 5:18. Respect the all-in window until your spike is online.
What does Gangplank build in Top?
Into Malzahar specifically, Gangplank finishes Essence Reaver first most often: 48.6% over 72 games of this matchup.
The most-finished Gangplank core is Essence Reaver, The Collector, Infinity Edge: 55.6% across 6,448 games when all three got done. All matchups, patches 26.1-26.12.
Most games start Doran's Blade + Health Potion; the first finished item is usually Essence Reaver (34,253 games).
Skill plan: Gangplank players max Q first and take E at level 1.