Mordekaiser’s skill order is Q>E>W with points in the ult whenever possible, both on the first levels and when maxing. The Q is your waveclear and main source of damage, allowing you to simultaneously push Minionwave in lane and trade your opponent when they are standing with their minions. In this way, you can put your opponent under pressure from the start in many matchups against melee fighters and gain an advantage in health points or prevent them from farming. Against ranged fighters, on the other hand, you usually have to rely on hitting your E and pulling them towards you. If you manage to do this, you can trigger your passive with Q and your normal attacks and follow up with an advantageous trade. You want to use your W as late as possible to maximize your shield. It can turn the tables in your favor on close all-ins or help you disengage a won trade if your opponent starts kiting you.

By unlocking his ultimate ability, Mordekaiser becomes a monster when it comes to duels and is virtually immune to ganks as long as you have the ult ready. If you are ganked, you will kill the stronger of the two opponents. You steal 10% of his basic stats and should be able to defeat him in the realm of death. If you manage to do this, you will keep his stats afterwards and can usually bring the second opponent to his knees.