Every figure shows its source. Where a source is missing, the number is a placeholder — and it is never written as fact.

By GamGem ResearchLast updated 18 Oct 2026

Malphite Counters, Build and Runes — Top Lane Matchups · Patch 26.20

Shard of the Monolith

Patch 26.20 · Stats from the 26.18 Master+ sample (3,631 games).

Malphite, Shard of the Monolith, hides behind a Granite Shield that comes back when he goes unhit, and Unstoppable Force launches him into a team. Counted Master+ Malphites took Arcane Comet over Grasp of the Undying and opened on Sunfire Aegis. Dr. Mundo, Sion and Fiora beat him most often. Aatrox, Irelia and Yone he fared better against. Garen, Nasus and Mordekaiser were level with him.

TankMage

Patch 26.18 · Top · Ranked Solo/Duo · Master+ · EUW · KR · NA · 3,631 games · Preview sample

Role snapshot (Top)

BTier
Win Rate
50.2%
Pick Rate
5.6%
Ban Rate
8.5%

3,631

Games

High

Confidence

Most common path

53 games

58.5%Win Rate

Start
FlashTeleport

Highest win rate path

53 games

75.5%Win Rate

Start
FlashTeleport

Other first item

25 games

52.0%Win Rate

Start
FlashIgnite

Runes

Patch 26.18

This exact page: taken in 24.6% of games·47.3% win rate over 895 games.

Primary

Sorcery

Arcane Comet

Damaging a champion with an ability hurls a damaging comet at their location.

Manaflow Band

Hitting an enemy champion with an ability permanently increases your maximum mana by 25, up to 250 mana. After reaching 250 bonus mana, restore 1% of your missing mana every 5 seconds.

Transcendence

Gain bonuses upon reaching the following levels:Level 5: +5 Ability Haste Level 8: +5 Ability Haste Level 11: On Champion takedown, reduce the remaining cooldown of basic abilities by 20%.

Scorch

Your first damaging ability hit every 10s burns champions.

Secondary

Resolve

Overgrowth

Gain permanent max health when minions or monsters die near you.

Second Wind

After taking damage from an enemy champion heal back some missing health over time.

Shards

  • Attack Speed
  • Health Scaling
  • Health Scaling

Other keystones taken

  • Grasp of the Undying24.7% taken · 52.3% win896 games
  • Press the Attack4.2% taken · 46.8% win154 games
  • Deathfire Touch1.7% taken · 48.3% win60 games

Tree pairs

  • Sorcery + Resolve48.3% taken · 50.4% win1,754 games
  • Resolve + Sorcery20.6% taken · 52.6% win747 games
  • Sorcery + Inspiration14.4% taken · 51.4% win523 games

Skill Order

Which ability to max first, and the level each point goes in — Malphite's most common path.

Q

Seismic Shard

Malphite sends a shard of the earth through the ground at his foe, dealing damage upon impact and stealing Move Speed for 3 seconds.

Cooldown 8s · 70/75/80/85/90 Mana
W

Thunderclap

Malphite attacks with such force that it creates a sonic boom.

Cooldown 10/9.5/9/8.5/8s · 30/35/40/45/50 Mana
E

Ground Slam

Malphite slams the ground, sending out a shockwave that deals magic damage based on his Armor and reduces the Attack Speed of enemies for a short duration.

Cooldown 7s · 50/55/60/65/70 Mana
R

Unstoppable Force

Malphite launches himself to a location at high speed, damaging enemies and knocking them into the air.

Cooldown 130/115/100s · 100 Mana

Max Order

QEW

Max Q first, then E, then W. Take R whenever available (6 / 11 / 16).

Level-up Order

  • Q
  • W
  • E
  • R
Ability123456789101112131415161718
QSeismic ShardQQQQQ
WThunderclapWWWWW
EGround SlamEEEEE
RUnstoppable ForceRRR

Matchup map (Top)

How Malphite performs against enemy top laners

Levels 1 – 18 · Master+40%60%Malphite's win rate
≥ 60%Very favorable
55 – 60%Favorable
50 – 55%Even
45 – 50%Unfavorable
40 – 45%Hard
< 40%Very hard

Conditional build matrix

Recommended items by enemy team composition

Master+ · Patch 26.18
Mythic / CoreFirst major item
Core 2Second item
Core 3Third item
BootsBoot slot
SituationalPick as needed

Scaling — minute 10–30

MalphiteTop average

Gold

102030

Damage to champions

102030

CS

102030

Counter plan — how to beat Malphite

  • Build percentage damage — flat penetration falls off against the stats it stacks

  • Dodge the primary — its rotation is one skillshot; sidestep it and the rest is chip

  • Punish the cooldown — Malphite is exposed while its rotation is down

  • Ward the flank — vision is what turns its best opening into a worse one

  • Respect the spike — Riot rates the kit 2/10, so a practised player gets more out of it than the average

Ability details

  • P

    Granite Shield

    Malphite is shielded by a layer of rock which absorbs damage up to 10% of his maximum Health. If Malphite has not been hit for a few seconds, this effect recharges.

    Passive — never cast

  • Q

    Seismic Shard

    Malphite sends a shard of the earth through the ground at his foe, dealing damage upon impact and stealing Move Speed for 3 seconds.

    Cost 70/75/80/85/90 ManaCooldown 8sRange 625

  • W

    Thunderclap

    Malphite attacks with such force that it creates a sonic boom. For the next few seconds, his attacks create aftershocks in front of him.

    Cost 30/35/40/45/50 ManaCooldown 10/9.5/9/8.5/8sRange 400

  • E

    Ground Slam

    Malphite slams the ground, sending out a shockwave that deals magic damage based on his Armor and reduces the Attack Speed of enemies for a short duration.

    Cost 50/55/60/65/70 ManaCooldown 7sRange 400

  • R

    Unstoppable Force

    Malphite launches himself to a location at high speed, damaging enemies and knocking them into the air.

    Cost 100 ManaCooldown 130/115/100sRange 1000

Malphite balance history

Riot's notes from patch 25.S1.1 to 26.20 change Malphite in 3 patches. The latest is patch 26.2, published 2026-01-21.

  1. Patch 26.22026-01-21

    WThunderclap

    • Monster Damage2xto1.8x

    EGround Slam

    • Damage80 / 120 / 160 / 200 / 240 (+ 60% AP) (+ 40% armor)to60 / 95 / 130 / 165 / 200 (+ 60% AP) (+ 40% armor)
    • Mana Cost50to50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70

    RUnstoppable Force

    • Cooldown130 / 105 / 80to130 / 115 / 100
    Why, in Riot's words

    Malphite’s been a frontrunner on the Rift for a while, both in top and in the jungle. We’re actually very happy that he’s found a real audience in the jungle! That said, he’s still overperforming, so we need to bring him down now while still leaving him with two roles to play. To do that, we’re reducing some of his trading and clearing damage while retaining his high durability to physical damage and strong engage power. We’re also hitting jungle a little more as it’s meant to be slightly weaker than his top lane, as opposed to slightly stronger, which is currently the case.

  2. Patch 25.232025-11-18

    WThunderclap

    • Monster Modifier1xto2x
    Why, in Riot's words

    Malphite has a natural jungle kit with a decent gank paradigm, and repeatable damage for killing monsters. He just doesn't deal enough right now to comfortably clear, so we're juicing both his early game clear (hint hint start W!) and late-game as well, since he often builds full tank and needs his damage to keep up with growth monster health.

  3. Patch 25.202025-10-07

    Base Stats

    • Base Armor37to40

    EGround Slam

    • Base Damage70 / 110 / 150 / 190 / 230to80 / 120 / 160 / 200 / 240
    Why, in Riot's words

    Malphite's a solid top laner and a consistent rock for his teams, but even so he is often a bit heavy for his teams. We're giving him a little help this patch by increasing his base armor just a bit to solidify his early game.

Malphite skins (15)

Riot's data lists 15 looks for Malphite with their own art, the base skin included and 42 chroma variants.

ARAM performance

EstimateA
Win Rate
50.8%
▼ 0.9%
Pick Rate
6.9%
▼ 1.2%
Ban Rate
1.5%
▼ 0.8%
Damage dealt
104.4%
Damage taken
95.0%
Healing
96.6%
Shielding
105.2%
Ability Haste
+14

Best ARAM build

Patch timeline

Riot’s notes

This champion’s win rate on each patch the preview sample spans, over its own games there. What actually changed each patch is in Riot’s own notes.

  1. 26.1947.4% over 1,104 games-1.3
  2. 26.1850.7% over 2,022 games-0.9
  3. 26.1754.2% over 496 games · small sample—

Malphite's base stats against all 173 champions

  • Malphite's base armor of 40 is the 2nd-highest of 173 champions on patch 26.20 (shared with 3 others).
  • Malphite's base attack speed of 0.736 is the 3rd-highest of 173 champions on patch 26.20 (shared with 2 others).
  • Malphite's base health of 665 is the 11th-highest of 173 champions on patch 26.20 (shared with 1 other).
StatMalphiteRankMedian
Base health665=11th620
Health per level104=86th104
Base armor40=2nd30
Armor per level4.95=32nd4.6
Base magic resist28=160th32
Magic resist per level2.05=4th1.55
Base attack damage62=50th59
Base attack speed0.736=3rd0.656
Attack speed per level3.4%=25th2.5%
Move speed335=74th335
Attack range125=129th175

Malphite at level 1 and level 18

  • Malphite reaches 2433 health at level 18 — 665 at level 1 plus 17 × 104, the 64th-highest of 173 champions on patch 26.20, shared with 1.
  • Malphite reaches 1300 mana at level 18 — 280 at level 1 plus 17 × 60, the 21st-highest of 145 mana users on patch 26.20, shared with 1.
  • Malphite reaches 124.15 armor at level 18 — 40 at level 1 plus 17 × 4.95, the 6th-highest of 173 champions on patch 26.20, shared with 1.
  • Malphite reaches 62.85 magic resist at level 18 — 28 at level 1 plus 17 × 2.05, the 78th-highest of 173 champions on patch 26.20, shared with 6.
StatLevel 1Per levelLevel 18Rank at 18
Health665+1042433=64th of 173
Mana280+601300=21st of 145
Armor40+4.95124.15=6th of 173
Magic resist28+2.0562.85=78th of 173

Riot Data Dragon 16.20.1. Growth curve: League of Legends Wiki — Champion statistic.

Riot's tips for Malphite

Playing Malphite

  • Armor naturally reduces the rate that attacks go through Granite Shield, so Brutal Strikes will strengthen the shield against physical damage.
  • Despite his abilities scaling on Armor, some games require Malphite to get Magic Resist. When those games occur, try getting Aegis of the Legion, Mercury's Treads, and Guardian Angel.

Playing against Malphite

  • If you're a physical damage character stay behind your allies when fighting Malphite. Ground Slam can significantly reduce your damage output.
  • Malphite is one of a couple tanks who are capable of jungling. Watch out if he gets Smite.

Quick answers about Malphite

How does Malphite do against Garen?
Malphite won 48.6% of 35 counted Master+ games against Garen. It is close to even. A small sample — read it as a lean, not a rule.
How does Malphite do against Fiora?
Malphite won 46.7% of 75 counted Master+ games against Fiora. Fiora is one of the opponents that beat Malphite. A small sample — read it as a lean, not a rule.
How does Malphite do against Mordekaiser?
Malphite won 51.0% of 49 counted Master+ games against Mordekaiser. It is close to even. A small sample — read it as a lean, not a rule.
How does Malphite do against Aatrox?
Malphite won 58.1% of 62 counted Master+ games against Aatrox. It is a matchup Malphite wins more often than not. A small sample — read it as a lean, not a rule.
How does Malphite do against Irelia?
Malphite won 54.3% of 92 counted Master+ games against Irelia. It is a matchup Malphite wins more often than not. A small sample — read it as a lean, not a rule.
How does Malphite do against Yone?
Malphite won 53.3% of 137 counted Master+ games against Yone. It is a matchup Malphite wins more often than not.
How does Malphite do against Dr. Mundo?
Malphite won 43.8% of 96 counted Master+ games against Dr. Mundo. Dr. Mundo is one of the opponents that beat Malphite.
How does Malphite do against Sion?
Malphite won 45.1% of 51 counted Master+ games against Sion. Sion is one of the opponents that beat Malphite. A small sample — read it as a lean, not a rule.
What class is Malphite?
Riot classes Malphite as Tank and Mage. This site files the champion under Top.
How hard is Malphite to play?
Riot rates Malphite's difficulty 2 out of 10.
What resource does Malphite use?
Malphite's abilities spend Mana.
What is Malphite's attack range?
125 units — the lowest of 173 champions on patch 26.20 (shared with 44 others).
What are Malphite's abilities?
Passive — Granite Shield, Q — Seismic Shard, W — Thunderclap, E — Ground Slam and R — Unstoppable Force.
How many skins does Malphite have?
Riot's data lists 15 skins with their own art, the base look included, plus 42 chroma variants.
How much health does Malphite have at level 18?
2433 — 665 at level 1 plus 17 × 104 per level, Riot's own values, before items and runes.
What is Malphite's ultimate cooldown?
Unstoppable Force (R): 130/115/100 seconds by rank, before ability haste, in Riot's Data Dragon 16.20.1.
When did Riot last change Malphite?
Patch 26.2, published 21 January 2026 — the latest of 3 patches that change Malphite in Riot's notes from 25.S1.1 to 26.20.

Malphite at a glance

Malphite, Shard of the Monolith, is a Tank and Mage champion in League of Legends. Riot rates the kit 2/10 for difficulty, 5/10 for attack, 9/10 for defense and 7/10 for magic. Malphite spends Mana and has 15 skins with their own art. Malphite's base armor of 40 is the 2nd-highest of 173 champions on patch 26.20 (shared with 3 others). Malphite's base attack speed of 0.736 is the 3rd-highest of 173 champions on patch 26.20 (shared with 2 others).

Attack5/10
Defense9/10
Magic7/10
Difficulty2/10

Malphite's story

A massive creature of living stone, Malphite struggles to impose blessed order on a chaotic world. Birthed as a servitor-shard to an otherworldly obelisk known as the Monolith, he used his tremendous elemental strength to maintain and protect his progenitor, but ultimately failed. The only survivor of the destruction that followed, Malphite now endures Runeterra's soft folk and their fluid temperaments, while struggling to find a new role worthy of the last of his kind.
— Riot Games, Data Dragon 16.20.1. League of Legends Universe

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Methodology

Data window
Preview sample — a one-time snapshot of 65,406 ranked games (Master+, EUW/KR/NA, patch 26.18), counted by GamGem while our Riot production key is under review. Figures will update daily once it is approved. Counted 26–27 Sept 2026; patches 26.18 (35,477) · 26.19 (18,580) · 26.17 (11,048) · 26.16 (293) · 26.15 (8); by server EUW 22,382 · KR 21,922 · NA 21,065 · EUNE 20 · TR 17. 642 games without a result — remakes ended by vote in their first minutes, and games recorded with no winner — were not counted.
Rank aggregation
Master, Grandmaster and Challenger, pooled — the three ladders the count read its players from. Splitting further leaves samples too small to separate a real effect from noise.
Role assignment
A champion is filed under every lane that holds at least a tenth of its counted games — the position the match itself reports, not the champion’s class. Its headline win rate is across all of them; each lane’s own win rate and games are counted too, and a lane’s tier list ranks by them.
Counters
The two champions in the same position on opposite teams, over that pairing’s own counted games — ranked on the edge pulled toward zero by its sample size, printed raw.
Minimum sample
None — no figure is hidden for being thin. Every rate prints its games, and the confidence band is its 95% margin: Very High within ±1.5 points, High ±2.5, Moderate ±3.1 (1,000 games), Low wider.
Why a build is not a cause
An item is counted when the match ENDS with it, so late items show long games and an item bought when already ahead shows games that were being won. Correlation is what a rate can show; it is not evidence that buying the item caused the win.
Where the numbers come from
Names, classes, abilities, items and runes are Riot Data Dragon. Win, pick and ban rates, builds, keystones, spells and matchups are counted by GamGem from Riot's ranked match records. An estimate, not a count: this panel is not in the preview sample, and is labelled so.

Malphite on video

Published by 3 Minute League of Legends on YouTube, 11 November 2025.

It plays in YouTube’s own player once you press play. Nothing is downloaded or re-hosted here, and nothing loads from YouTube until then.