Well let me see, I have always loved the sustain and you are currect on the mana hungry at times, I have learned that grabbing two dorans rings early on helps with his Malefic Visions. If you wish to build more tanky yes Rod of Ages though I never use it for I like to have evven more burst or sustain in early game. I build Liandry's Tormeny right away before boots and with that you use malefic visions once and even without your voidling you take out fulll waves. This allows you to outlane a bit faster, after I will now build either Gunblade or Zhonyas. Voidstaff is good third, or Deathfire for Malzahar is also one of the Best Anti-tanks in the game in my opinion.

cool guide however if u could get the codings in for the moves and maybe get some vids on it i will favorite it:-) i just got malz and hes so EPIC