MacroMind matchup data — real ranked games, not opinions
Malzahar vs Garen
What is Malzahar's win rate vs Garen?
In Mid, Malzahar wins 49% against Garen across 294 observed ranked games. This is an observed win rate shown with its sample size, not a prediction or a guaranteed counter.
By 15 minutes the median game has Malzahar behind by 162 gold.
Does Malzahar counter Garen?
The numbers call it close: 49% for Malzahar over 294 games, inside the noise band. Neither side counters the other on this sample — the lane swings on the spots below, so pick the side you play better and take the receipts with you.
How to beat Garen as Malzahar
When Malzahar is 300 gold up at 10:00, this matchup runs 55% over 135 games; 300 down, it drops to 45% over 158.
| The spot | Win rate | Games |
|---|---|---|
| 300 gold up at 10:00 | 55% | 135 |
| 300 gold down at 10:00 | 45% | 158 |
| First blood | 55% | 137 |
| +kills at 10:00 | 56% | 61 |
| +CS at 10:00 | 52% | 182 |
| 0 deaths at 10:00 | 57% | 120 |
| 0 deaths at 15:00 | 60% | 50 |
The median first death in this lane comes at 8:24; the level 6 spike lands around 5:08. Respect the all-in window until your spike is online.
What does Malzahar build in Mid?
Into Garen specifically, Malzahar finishes Blackfire Torch first most often: 55.7% over 97 games of this matchup.
The most-finished Malzahar core is Blackfire Torch, Liandry's Torment, Rylai's Crystal Scepter: 55.5% across 12,093 games when all three got done. All matchups, patches 16.1-16.12.
Most games start Doran's Ring + Health Potion + Health Potion; the first finished item is usually Blackfire Torch (37,485 games).
Skill plan: Malzahar players max E first and take E at level 1.