MacroMind matchup data — real ranked games, not opinions
Malzahar vs Katarina
What is Malzahar's win rate vs Katarina?
In Mid, Malzahar wins 48% against Katarina across 3,491 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 316 gold.
Does Malzahar counter Katarina?
No. This one runs the other way: Katarina takes 52% of 3,491 ranked Mid games, and the gap clears the noise band. {{champion}} players still win it — the conditional rates on this page show which spots flip it, each with its own game count.
How to beat Katarina as Malzahar
When Malzahar is 300 gold up at 10:00, this matchup runs 59% over 1,466 games; 300 down, it drops to 40% over 2,022.
| The spot | Win rate | Games |
|---|---|---|
| 300 gold up at 10:00 | 59% | 1,466 |
| 300 gold down at 10:00 | 40% | 2,022 |
| First blood | 56% | 1,123 |
| +kills at 10:00 | 62% | 558 |
| +CS at 10:00 | 51% | 2,678 |
| 0 deaths at 10:00 | 60% | 655 |
| 0 deaths at 15:00 | 70% | 222 |
The median first death in this lane comes at 4:53; the level 6 spike lands around 5:20. Respect the all-in window until your spike is online.
What does Malzahar build in Mid?
Into Katarina specifically, Malzahar finishes Blackfire Torch first most often: 48.9% over 1,308 games of this matchup.
The most-finished core in this exact matchup is Blackfire Torch, Liandry's Torment, Rylai's Crystal Scepter: 57.2% across 416 games.
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.