Overview
How to play Malphite successfully involves mastering his kit, which includes a passive shield, movement speed-stealing Q, auto-attack reset W, attack speed-reducing E, and game-changing ultimate that can turn teamfights with a well-timed engage. This straightforward yet impactful champion excels against AD compositions while requiring strategic early game survival, flexible build paths, proper ultimate timing, effective wave management, and smart transitioning to the mid and late game where he becomes a formidable teamfight initiator.
Table of Contents
Are you looking to add a reliable, impactful tank to your top lane champion pool? Look no further than Malphite, the Shard of the Monolith. As one of League of Legends’ most enduring champions, Malphite combines devastating engage potential with surprising durability and versatility. Whether you’re new to the top lane or a seasoned veteran seeking to expand your champion roster, Malphite offers a powerful yet accessible option that can turn team fights in your favor with a single well-timed ultimate.
In the current meta, where team compositions often lack proper frontline presence or reliable engage tools, Malphite stands out as a solid pick that can single-handedly solve both problems. His straightforward kit doesn’t demand mechanical perfection, allowing you to focus on macro play and game-winning decisions rather than complex combos.
Understanding Malphite’s Kit and Playstyle
Before diving into specific tips, let’s briefly review what makes Malphite tick:
- Malphite’s passive, Granite Shield, provides a shield equal to a percentage of his maximum health when he hasn’t taken damage for a few seconds. This gives him excellent sustain between trades and makes him particularly resilient against poke.
- His Q (Seismic Shard) steals movement speed from opponents while dealing magic damage, making it perfect for setting up ganks or escaping dangerous situations. His W (Thunderclap) is an auto-attack reset that deals splash damage, helping with wave clear and trading.
- Malphite’s E (Ground Slam) deals area damage while reducing enemy attack speed—a devastating ability against auto-attack-reliant champions. Finally, his R (Unstoppable Force) is one of the game’s most impactful ultimates, allowing him to dash to a location, knocking up and damaging all enemies in the area.
- Malphite excels against heavy AD team compositions and auto-attackers like Fiora and other duelists. However, he struggles against champions with sustained magic damage or true damage, and his early game can be punishing against aggressive lane bullies.
Now, let’s get into the specific tips that will help you dominate top lane with Malphite.
Tip #1: Master Your Early Game Survival
Malphite’s early game can be challenging, particularly against ranged or aggressive matchups. Managing your mana is crucial—avoid spamming Q unless you have Manaflow Band or Biscuits. Instead, use it primarily to secure last hits you couldn’t otherwise reach or to escape ganks.
When farming, try to last hit minions using your auto-attacks and save your abilities for trading with your opponent. If you’re against a particularly difficult matchup, don’t be afraid to give up some CS to preserve your health—Malphite becomes significantly more useful as the game progresses, even if you’re slightly behind in farm.
Against ranged matchups like Gnar or other poke champions, start with Doran’s Shield and take Second Wind in your runes. Play conservatively until level 6, then look for all-in opportunities with your ultimate when they overextend. Remember that your E reduces attack speed, making it extremely valuable against auto-attack-reliant champions.
Tip #2: Optimal Build Paths for Different Situations
Malphite’s build flexibility is one of his greatest strengths. The standard tank build typically starts with Bramble Vest or Bami’s Cinder, depending on your matchup. Sunfire Aegis serves as your core mythic item in most games, providing valuable immolate damage that synergizes with your tendency to be in the midst of enemy teams.
Against heavy AD compositions, prioritize Frozen Heart and Thornmail to maximize your armor scaling. For magic resistance, Force of Nature is usually your best option, while Randuin’s Omen helps against critical strike-based champions.
If your team needs more damage and you’re feeling confident, AP Malphite can be devastatingly effective. Start with a Lost Chapter item (typically Luden’s Echo) and follow up with items like Horizon Focus and Zhonya’s Hourglass. This build turns you into a one-shot machine against squishier targets but sacrifices your frontline potential.
For boots, Plated Steelcaps are your default choice, especially against AD-heavy teams. However, Mercury’s Treads become essential against teams with significant crowd control.
Tip #3: Perfect Timing with Your Ultimate
Malphite’s ultimate is arguably one of the most game-changing basic abilities in League of Legends. Learning when and how to use it effectively can be the difference between winning and losing.
In lane, look to use your ultimate when your opponent has burned key mobility or defensive abilities. Coordinate with your jungler when possible—a flash-ultimate combo followed by jungle damage often guarantees a kill and can snowball your lane.
In team fights, patience is key. Rather than instantly engaging on the first enemy you see, wait for high-value targets to position aggressively. Catching multiple priority targets with your ultimate can instantly win a team fight. If your team has other engage tools, sometimes it’s better to let them initiate and use your ultimate as follow-up CC.
Don’t forget that Unstoppable Force can also be used defensively to escape ganks or dangerous situations when necessary. The brief untargetability during the dash can dodge crucial abilities if timed perfectly.
Tip #4: Wave Management and Map Presence
Effective wave management is crucial for maximizing Malphite’s impact. After pushing a wave to the enemy tower, use that time to place deep wards or coordinate with your mid laner and jungler for potential plays.
Your Teleport should be used strategically—saving it for dragon fights or bottom lane ganks can create number advantages that lead to objectives. When deciding whether to teleport, assess whether your presence will actually change the outcome of the fight.
Malphite’s roaming potential becomes significant after level 6. Pushing your lane and moving to mid can result in easy kills with your ultimate, often catching opponents off guard who aren’t expecting a top laner to appear.
Tip #5: Transitioning to Mid and Late Game
As the game progresses, Malphite transitions from a lane bully (or survivor, depending on the matchup) to a team fight monster. Your primary role is to initiate fights on favorable terms for your team or to peel for your carries against diving threats.
In the mid-game, look to group when your ultimate is available and objectives are spawning. Your presence alone can deter enemies from contesting dragons or heralds.
During late-game team fights, assess whether you need to dive the backline or protect your carries. Against teams with powerful assassins or divers, staying near your ADC and using your abilities to peel might be more valuable than going for the enemy carries.
If the enemy team splits up, use your ultimate to force engagements on isolated targets, creating temporary 5v4 situations that can be leveraged into objectives.
Conclusion
Mastering how to play Malphite requires understanding when to be patient and when to be aggressive. While his kit might seem straightforward, the decision-making that goes into playing him effectively can be surprisingly nuanced. With these five tips, you’re now better equipped to maximize Malphite’s potential and climb the ranked ladder.
Remember that practice makes perfect—don’t get discouraged if your first few games don’t go as planned. Focus on improving your ultimate accuracy, managing your resources in lane, and making smart macro decisions as you gain experience with the champion.
When facing tough matchups like Darius or Aatrox, adapt your playstyle and build path accordingly. Against tanky opponents like Dr. Mundo or Cho’Gath, consider a more AP-focused build to maintain damage threat. Learning to counter Garen and similar juggernauts will also improve your Malphite gameplay.
Have you had success with Malphite in your ranked games? Do you have any additional tips or favorite build paths? Share your experiences in the comments below, and check out our coaching services if you’re looking to take your top lane skills to the next level!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Malphite good for beginners in League of Legends?
Absolutely! Malphite is one of the best champions for beginners to learn top lane. His kit is straightforward with clear objectives: farm safely, scale with armor, and use your ultimate to initiate team fights. His forgiving nature with the passive shield and relatively simple mechanics make him perfect for players focusing on learning the fundamentals of League of Legends rather than complex champion mechanics. As the official League of Legends champion page notes, his difficulty rating is just 2/3, making him accessible while still offering room to master his engage timing.
Should I build Malphite as a tank or AP?
Tank Malphite is generally more reliable and forgiving, especially for newer players or in most team compositions that need a frontline. AP Malphite offers explosive burst damage that can one-shot squishy targets but makes you significantly more vulnerable. Consider your team composition (do you already have tanks?), the enemy team (are they mostly squishy?), and your own playstyle. A good middle ground is to start with tank items and incorporate one or two AP items like Demonic Embrace for a hybrid approach that maintains durability while adding damage.
How do I play against ranged matchups as Malphite?
Against ranged matchups, start Doran’s Shield and take Second Wind in your runes. Focus on surviving early game by using your Q to secure last hits you can’t safely get with auto attacks. Don’t be afraid to give up some CS to preserve health. Play defensively until level 6, then look for all-in opportunities with your ultimate when they overextend or when your jungler ganks. Build armor early, and consider an early Bramble Vest against healing champions like Teemo or Vayne. Your goal isn’t to win lane but to survive and outscale for team fights.
When should I use Malphite’s ultimate?
Timing Malphite’s ultimate is crucial for maximizing impact. In lane, use it when your opponent has no flash or after they’ve used key mobility abilities. In team fights, look for opportunities to hit multiple high-value targets like the enemy ADC and mid laner. Coordinate with your team—either as the primary engage or as follow-up CC after another teammate initiates. According to IGN’s League champion guide, a well-placed ultimate can change the course of an entire game, so patience is often better than rushing to use it at the first opportunity.
Which champions counter Malphite in top lane?
Malphite struggles against champions with sustained magic damage or true damage. Specific counters include Mordekaiser, whose magic damage bypasses Malphite’s armor scaling; Fiora, whose true damage and mobility make her difficult to deal with; and Sylas, who can steal and often use Malphite’s ultimate better than he can. Darius can also be problematic with his bleed effect and ability to dominate early trades. Against these matchups, play conservatively, focus on farm, and look to impact the map through teleport plays rather than trying to win lane directly. As noted by Pro Build Stats, even in counter matchups, Malphite’s team fight value remains high regardless of lane outcome.
