MacroMind matchup data: real ranked games, not opinions
Malzahar vs Locke
What is Malzahar's win rate vs Locke?
In Mid, Malzahar wins 46% against Locke across 492 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 Malzahar behind by 457 gold.
Malzahar at 15:00
- Gold: -457
- CS: +20
- XP: +63
Typical gap to Locke, from 490 games that reached 15:00.
Does Malzahar counter Locke?
Too close to call. Malzahar sits at 46% over 492 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 Locke as Malzahar
When Malzahar is ahead in gold at 10:00, this matchup runs 61% over 164 games; behind, it drops to 38% over 328.
| The spot | Win rate | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Ahead in gold at 10:00 | 61% | 164 |
| Behind in gold at 10:00 | 38% | 328 |
| First blood | 48% | 136 |
| +kills at 10:00 | 62% | 55 |
| +CS at 10:00 | 51% | 345 |
| 0 deaths at 10:00 | 59% | 76 |
The median first death in this lane comes at 4:25; the level 6 spike lands around 5:20. Respect the all-in window until your spike is online.
What does Malzahar build in Mid?
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 26.1-26.12.
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.