





Thank You!
Your votes and comments encourage our guide authors to continue
creating helpful guides for the League of Legends community.
Runes:











+9 Adaptive (5.4 AD or 9 AP)
+5 Armor
+15-90 HP (lvls 1-18)
Spells:

Flash

Teleport
Items
Ability Order

Granite Shield
Malphite Passive Ability
Introduction
My main account profiles can be found here: EUNE, EUW
Even though, my main role is midlane, there were times, when top was my main role instead and I still do actively play it, keeping my ability to play it close to my ability to play midlane.
My main motivation for creation of this guide is, that I feel like Malphite is really strong situational soloQ pick, that is not too hard to play, while being efficient for climbing in soloQ. Even though, he might not be hardest champion to play, I found out that many players don't really know, how to proceed with itemization on this champion, so hopefully I will be able to share my point of view and possibly show you strengths, that you can use during your games.


Account that I used for this experiment can be found here.
![]() |
![]() |

For commentary, I wasn't able to get latest data from op.gg, because they removed all preseason data one day before season started, which I didn't really expect, so I didn't really get winrates and KDAs from there, but I kept one screenshot, that I took during process (for such cases). You can see final results taken from lolskill.net (last screenshot).
As you can see, at first I was able to keep up quite decent winrate, while it started to drop later on snowly. I am sure that there would be people, who can make even better winrate, since I am not really toplane main and I didn't play toplane for quite a while + I am not perfect player either. But still, I think that I managed to get quite decent KDAs and winratios with mentioned champions.
I was playing

My final elo was Plat 2, I was nearly in promo and I was getting around +25 for win and -15 for loss, which means that my MMR was somewhere around Diamond 5.
In case that you had some doubts about these champions, then I hope that I provided you with at least some valuable information, in case that you would be deciding if you want to pick some of these champions, in order to add them to your champion pool.
Pros
+ Great initiation
+ Heavy counter for certain champions
+ Really tanky against certain teams
+ Great teamfighting potential
+ Ability to stop most of splitpushers
|
Cons
- Weak when getting hardcountered
- Inefficient against AP sustaining champions
- Tricky to play, without followup
- Difficult decision making engage-wise
|
To wrap up points, said above,


Except for that, I think that


For that reason, you should mainly aim for this pick if you either way see, that you are playing against heavy-AD comp or if you want to counter certain champion(s). Nice example might be picking it into stuff like



Another situation, where it's good is, when you want to stop some strong adc like



Another situation, where I find







Even with increased AP ratios, I feel like full-AP


Another problem comes, when you start having problems one****ting people. Basically even assasins or ADCs are building some sort of health/MR, if they see real threats against them. For that reason, you might not be able to burst down people anymore.
Another problem comes, when people start buying stuff like

Next thing, that is worth to mention is, that

This is probably going to be the last thing. There is obviously possibility to run some sort of hybrid between AP and tank, when buying some hybrid items like


![]() |
Here, I will start with ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() More importantly though, ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Since I decided, to not go for ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Previously I didn't like the fact, that cooldown was too high compared to ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Previously it was my prefered choice compared to ![]() Problem is, that after it got nerfed several times, it's base damage is quite weak compared to ![]() |
![]() |
As a follow-up, this is an answer for ![]() ![]() ![]() This was mostly biggest issue, that I saw in build of most people in soloQ. Mostly they were rushing ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Since ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
In this part, I will just explain, why did I get


![]() |
This rune compared to other choices gives you both armor and MR flat in addition to % bonus, which is really beneficial once when you start scaling up. Expecially as ![]() |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Recenty I started to build up ![]() ![]() ![]() In terms of dark seal, it gives a bit of additional mana, another "firepower" in form of AP and sustain from potions. It is great to combine ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
I mostly build ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
This is pretty much my only choice, when I go for boots. Reason for that is, that I tend to pick ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
This is second possibility in terms of boots. If you are facing a lot of magic damage dealers, you can go for these, even though the fact, that you are playing ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
This is one of core items, that you should aim for during early game. First reason for that is, that it provides you required mana sustain and initial armor, that will allow you to pretty much use your abilities all the time, without worrying too much about mana, because there is nothing worse than running out of mana in the middle of trade. Second thing is, that it provides sheen effect, that will increase your damage quite a lot, considering that you are able to constantly spam your abilities. Third big reason is it's AoE effect. Since it's size scales with armor and you are the biggest armor beast, you are going to see really huge "blue slowing circles", that will be more than annoying for your opponents. For that reason, it will be way easier to chase your opponents, increasing your uptime on target quite a lot, expecially during windows, when you don't have your ![]() |
![]() |
This item gives you decent durability against magic-damage dealers, while increasing magic damage of your team by certain amount. It is really great to have if you are having a lot of AP champions on your team, creating pretty nice damage increasing aura in teamfights, which should be up for most of time, considering that you are the one being in the frontline. We shouldn't as well forget additional mana, that it gives, even though after you have your ![]() |
![]() |
This is second possibility, when it comes to items, that provide MR. You should prioritize this item, whenever you are facing champions, that are using same abilities with really high frequency (they spam it at least once per 4 seconds). Example of such champions might be ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Many people might not consider this item too great for ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
You should take this item primarily against targets, that are having huge sustain. Nice examples are ![]() ![]() ![]() Except for healing reduction, it provides really nice damage, that is going back to targets, that are autoattacking you, expecially when you have so much armor. |
![]() |
![]() Main reason why I don't like to build this item as first one is, that you are going to be out of mana for most of time. Every time I see someone playing ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
This item is great option, when you are pretty much the only frontline and you expect a lot of damage from your opponents. In that case, you should build up this, to be able to use it right after your engage, trying to survive for as long as possible and let squishies on your team to do their part. It as well gives you great combination of Armor/MR, in case that enemy team has pretty balanced team in terms of Magic/Physical damage. The only problem that I see with this item is, that it provides no HP and since you already have ![]() |
![]() |
Are you serious? Support item here? Oh, yes! Reason, why I put it here as an option is, that it works in similar way, like ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Second benefit is, that you don't have to push, while harassing, compared to ![]() Last thing is, that it has pretty decent AP ratio, so after you build up your ![]() ![]() ![]() There is one important note to mention in here - I don't exactly remember at which patch was it introduced, but Riot basically added mechanic, that enemy minions will start attacking you after using single target point click spell, which includes ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Some people are actually wondering about this one - why do I max ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() First reason for my decision is that if you max ![]() ![]() Another benefit is, that it increases your armor value a lot, expecially if you have your ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Last and probably most hidden reason is, that if you get additional Armor, it doesn't only increase your defenses, it increases your offensive potential as well. With ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Since I gave my main explanation above, I will try to keep this description short. For above reasons, this should be your last ability, that you max, since the only thing, that you get is a bit of damage and extra attack speed reduction (20%), which is not that insanely great. Another thing is, that ![]() |
![]() |
This ability is probably most important reason, why you would possibly want to play ![]() |
Let's start off with early game. During early levels, you are going to struggle with your mana, since you don't have sufficient mana sustain yet. For that purpose, you need to choose whether you want to poke since level one or not. If you are able to farm with autoattacks, always try to poke down your opponent, while if you know, that you are going to get punished for every single cs, try to rather save your abilities to last hit otherwise unreachable minions.
Always utilize your



Don't try to trade your opponent face-to-face. This build is being made around poke with your


After harassing your opponent to lower amount of health, don't get greedy. Just freeze wave and last hit freely while zoning your opponent from it. He is mostly low and scared of your all-in with

After you reach 2 items, you are mostly strong enough to do whatever you want in lane, unless you are facing some counterpick or unless you are incredibly behind compared to your opponent.
If you are behind, try to go for some picks with your


If you are ahead, you have pretty similar choices. You can ask your team to group, to siege and possibly go for some dive, if you find right situation for it. Otherwise, you can as well pressure certain side lane and generally splitpushing, if you are able to destroy enemy laner, that you countered (or simply destroyed). In that case, always keep in mind, that you need to create yourself a vision around enemy jungle, to see incoming threat.
Late game as


If you make some fancy catch on some important target and you win game due to that, everyone is going to love you. If you attempt to catch someone and it somehow doesn't work, everyone will blame you and try to report you for whatever reason. This is probably most frustrating part about playing

Another thing, that might be valuable to do (expecially against enemy assasins like



![]() |
No matter what, even if you are not forced to play against him in lane, it is really obnoxious to face this champion at all. There is always risk, that he gets fed and since you are simply unable to stop him, unless your team has enough damage to shut him down, this guy is such a huge headache. It's even worse though, to face him in lane, since he has incredible amount of sustain and he will most likely outharass you. What you can try to do though, is to buy mana sustain ( ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() A lot of ![]() ![]() Generally speaking, try to avoid this matchup whenever you can. |
![]() |
Swain is simillar to ![]() ![]() ![]() A lot of times, players are underestimating you, while playing counter, so in case that you drop ![]() ![]() Once when he gets to midgame though, you will never be able to deal with him, due to his sustain and damage over time magic damage. Against him, make sure to build up your ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
You don't really get to play against this champion a lot nowdays on toplane, but if you get to that, you are pretty much doomed unless you get some ganks, otherwise you will just get kited to oblivion. Except for that, even if you don't get ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() ![]() Problem is, that even though you might make transition to midgame against him without dying, he is going to be strong even in teamfights and if your team doesn't have any tank-melters, you will have hard time dealing with him. |
![]() |
This bad boy is probably the worst thing that you can face (or he is close to it). Main reason for that is, that he is able to block all your poke with his ![]() Another problem is that whenever you come for last hit, he will get at least through your ![]() ![]() ![]() What you can do here is simply rush ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Despite him being AD champion, it's very hard to deal with this guy, due to the fact, that you can't really poke him down, since he has both ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
In terms of the terror of the void, you have to keep in mind, that he will basically outscale you in a way, that you won't be ever able to face him in any way. Early on, you will be able to land some poke on him, but if he is smart enough, he will rush MR and deny that. Then you can try to purchase ![]() In the end, it's up to your jungler, where he puts his priority and whether he wants to stop this insane beast, because once he starts scaling up, you won't be able to touch him anymore. |
![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() It is very beneficial to juke his ![]() ![]() What you should try to do here in general - don't feed him too much and play it safe. Try to mainly wait for jungle ganks, because those will be really decimating for him, whenever you have ![]() |
![]() |
Even though, it's not one of the hardest matchups, I feel like it's still worth mentioning, because once you play it wrong, it might cause you a huge headache. So first off - you should never ever try to fight him face to face (unless you are really ahead). So respect his damage and run away from him whenever he tries to get on your face. Another important thing is, that you should keep your ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() At first, he will constantly use his ![]() Generally, I didn't play this matchup too many times so far and I don't know exact limits of this champion, but I found out, that if you survive laning phase and rush armor, you should be able to beat him face to face. Another valuable information might be, that if you max out ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
This is probably one of easiest matchups for ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Whenever she uses her ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() What is valuable to mention as well, make sure you build up at least ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Against camille, you are not doing anything special. Just rush your ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() One additional important mention is, that trading her in lategame might not be as easy, but generally laning phase against her is not too hard and you should be able to dominate her in lane, expecially if you get some ganks. Don't play too aggressive though, because such strategy might easily backfire, when you get babysat by enemy jungler. In that case, ![]() |
![]() |
This lane is just one huge poke fiesta. Whenever you are going for your ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Main thing is, that if you run out of mana here, before poking him down enough, he will start harassing you back and you are pretty much unable to do anything about it. Except for that, you are one of biggest ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
After recent rework, ![]() The main thing, that you should try to avoid is her ![]() |
![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Except for that, fighting ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
This is not really toplane matchup, but it might happen from time to time. Why do I mention it though is, that I am usually playing my ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Except for that, since he has no sustain, he can't really do much against your ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() As ![]() ![]() If you play it patiently, it's pretty much free lane and enemy team will have to fight 4v5, because when ![]() |
![]() |
We all know this annoying guy, who is just splitpushing all game long, to win games because of his pretty bad teamfighting potential, where he mostly gets kited. Well, ![]() ![]() ![]() In that moment, he won't be able to do much against you, except for farming and defending himself. Problem here might be though, that if rest of your team will be losing, you might be forced to group with them, leaving him alone and let him do what he knows best - splitpushing. |
But except for that...
https://www.twitch.tv/kostickatv
https://twitter.com/Kostickax
https://www.facebook.com/Kostickax/

You must be logged in to comment. Please login or register.