Orianna vs Malzahar Mid Matchup

Orianna Mid wins 46.2% of 1,791 Low Elo games against Malzahar Mid, +1.5 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.

Why Orianna is favored

Orianna can repeatedly send her ball through the wave to punish Malzahar as he approaches minions, and her Q/W burst makes it costly for him to contest the lane early. When Malzahar's passive is down, a predicted Shockwave(R) can also interrupt his channel and deny his main pick tool.

How to play as Orianna

Poke with Q/W as Malzahar approaches the wave, and aim the ball through his minions rather than trading in his E range. Save Shockwave(R) to interrupt his Nether Grasp(R), and time it when his passive is down.

Command: Attack(Q) can travel through the wave to damage Malzahar when he steps up to farm, and Dissonance(W) adds burst and a slow around the ball.

Command: Shockwave(R) can interrupt Nether Grasp(R), but Orianna has to predict the channel and Malzahar's Void Shift(P) must not block the crowd control.

How to play as Malzahar

Stand on the opposite side of the lane from Orianna's ball and avoid stepping into its path to last-hit. If her Q is down or she uses the ball on the wave, E/W clear from range; wait until her R or your passive is down before relying on Nether Grasp(R).

Sources

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