Lissandra vs Malzahar Mid Matchup

Lissandra Mid wins 49.9% of 2,622 Low Elo games against Malzahar Mid, +0.8 points vs expected, 2-patch window 26.19-26.20.

Researched on LoL patch 26.20. Tips are written to hold at any rank; stats come from Low Elo ranked games up to patch 26.20.

How to play as Lissandra

Use your stronger early shove and Frozen Path(E) to help your jungler or roam before Malzahar can match the pace; keep Frozen Tomb(R) available to deny his single-target pick.

Frozen Tomb(R) can make Lissandra untargetable and invulnerable when cast on herself, so she can avoid Nether Grasp(R) if she times it before Malzahar suppresses her.

Frozen Path(E) gives Lissandra a way to engage or escape, while Malzahar's advantage is safer range and a longer single-target suppression.

How to play as Malzahar

Do not spend Nether Grasp(R) while Lissandra can still self-cast Frozen Tomb(R); bait or wait out her untargetability, then use R when she cannot avoid the suppression.

Sources

These notes come from r/MalzaharMains, checked against the champions' abilities.