Spellvamp on Malzahar?

Dryditch·2/8/2015, 12:11:54 AM·3 votes·1,031 views

I recently picked up everyone's favorite floating void mage, and I noticed that zero builds do anything to address his lack of health sustain in lane.

I picked up a hextech revolver as first item in one game, upgrading it into Will of the Ancients (I know, bad idea, but whatever). It really helped me sustain during laning phase, and the WER combo put me back at full from a really low engage.

Is there a reason no one builds spellvamp on him? I'd really appreciate some of your advice.

22 Comments

Reynard the ƒox2/8/2015, 12:15:28 AM6 votes

I think it's a case of 'it's not bad, but there are more optimal choices'

Stephenizgod2/8/2015, 1:02:53 AM3 votes

Its not like its bad, its just not the best choice for him.

A good first item is Catalyst or Haunting Guise, most people build Catalyst. I usually buy Haunting Guise because im usually bullying the crap out of them if not straight up killing them, Guise makes this more effective. After Haunting Guise i pick up Sorcerer Boots, then Rabadons or Zhonya's depending on their team and who i am fighting (i always get Rabadons eventually though, i do not always get Zhonyas.) Finish up Liandrys at this point if not sooner, depends on your gold, if you have 1600g+ get Needlessly Large Rod, if only 1400g+ get Liandrys. After that i pick up a Void Staff, at this point they built a good amount of MR if they are smart, VS makes all of it virtually useless. Then, if i didnt pick up a DeathCap i will get it now and then finish up with a Rylais and a GA if the game lasts that long.

Talamare2/8/2015, 12:34:33 AM3 votes

Note, his E applies full spell vamp

Kitten of Evil2/8/2015, 2:27:24 AM2 votes

Like people have said, it's not bad but it's really not the best choice so you never want to rush it. Sometimes I get WOTA as my 6th item, but it's very situational. What I like about Malz is that his build path is very flexible, though you do usually want to end up with ( item 3089 item 3020 item 3151 item 3135 ). After that it completely depends. Want some defense? item 3116 works great with Liandry's since you're a DoT mage. Need MR? item 3001 Armor or Zhonya's active? item 3157 Spell vamp? item 3152 .

A lot of Malzahars run item 3027 ... I don't see it as a core item, but it can be very helpful in certain matchups -- if you decide you need it, you should rush it so you make sure to get the full 10 stacks.

straight4free2/8/2015, 12:27:58 AM2 votes

Because early game it doesn't help his mana sustain or really help him to bully his lane opponent. It's a good buy but there are usually better ones you can make.

qetzel2/8/2015, 9:36:39 AM1 votes

To add to everything that has been said, after he has a few levels in his E he can farm waves from a long range. Against most champions there isn't an opportunity to take harass.

CrazedPorcupine2/8/2015, 12:25:13 AM1 votes

The other thing is that ALL of Malz's skills are either AoE or DoT which make spell vamp only have 33% effectiveness on him.

RoA/Catalyst is probably the best item for any form of sustain in lane for Malzahar.

Drunk Rummate2/8/2015, 12:56:51 AM1 votes

most people get RoA to address sustain because Malzahar usually takes a lot of damage while he's ulting and RoA lets him live.