Counters for Malphite
Champion guide
Reviewed for patch 7.3b
Champions against Malphite
Favorable matchup
Fiora vs Malphite
Reviewed for patch 7.3b
Fiora hits both pillars of Malphite's kit: Vitals deal true damage based on his max health, so Thunderclap's armor does nothing against them, and Riposte can block Unstoppable Force and send a stun back.
Why Fiora works against Malphite
01
Armor doesn't protect against Vitals
Thunderclap's passive gives Malphite armor, and his damage grows with it. Striking a Duelist's Dance Vital deals true damage based on his max health: the more health he buys, the more every Vital you land with Lunge is worth.
02
Riposte answers the ultimate
Riposte parries all damage and effects for a moment and stuns if it blocks an immobilizing effect. Time it for when Unstoppable Force reaches you and you block his damage and the knock-up and stun him in return. Use it early and Malphite can simply wait and charge once it's gone.
03
Ground Slam slows your hits
Ground Slam lowers the attack speed of anyone it hits for a few seconds. Against Fiora that cuts into Bladework. Strike the Vital with Lunge and step out of the area instead of trading slowed basic attacks.
When to attack
Go in while Unstoppable Force is on cooldown, or while you hold Riposte for his charge. After he uses Ground Slam, back off until the attack speed reduction wears off, then come back for the next Vital.
How to play Fiora
- 1In the early levels, Lunge into the reachable Vital when Malphite walks up to a minion, then return to your side of the wave.
- 2Break Granite Shield with a short hit before the main trade; if he hasn't taken damage for several seconds, assume it's back up.
- 3Once he has his ultimate, play with Riposte ready and read his charge angle; don't spend it on Seismic Shard.
- 4With Grand Challenge, go for all four Vitals after he has used Unstoppable Force; his large health pool is what makes that true damage pay off.
Mistakes to avoid
- Spending Riposte on Seismic Shard and having no answer when Malphite charges in with his ultimate and his jungler.
- Staying inside Ground Slam's area to trade basic attacks with reduced attack speed.
Playing Malphite against Fiora
If you're on Malphite, don't charge into a Fiora who still has Riposte: fake it, wait for her to use it, or save Unstoppable Force for a fight where another ally forces it out. In lane, use Seismic Shard to steal her speed when she goes for a Vital and Ground Slam when she stays to trade. Granite Shield needs time without taking hits, so step back to get it back before the next trade.
Favorable matchup
Mordekaiser vs Malphite
Reviewed for patch 7.3b
Mordekaiser deals almost all of his damage as magic damage, which Malphite's armor doesn't reduce, and Realm of Death pulls him out of the teamfight before his charge can reach several allies. In lane, his shield soaks up part of the Seismic Shard poke.
Why Mordekaiser works against Malphite
01
His damage skips the defense Malphite stacks most
Obliterate and the Darkness Rise aura deal magic damage. Thunderclap's passive and the armor items Malphite usually buys don't reduce it: he has to buy dedicated magic resist or accept trades that are worse than his health bar suggests.
02
Realm of Death isolates the engager
Realm of Death drags a champion into another dimension with Mordekaiser and steals part of their stats. If you catch Malphite before he uses Unstoppable Force, his charge can only hit you inside the realm, not your allies in the main fight.
03
Indestructible pays for the poke
Malphite wins lane with Seismic Shard from range. Indestructible turns the damage you deal and take into a shield, and you can convert part of it into health: use it after eating several shards, not at the start of the wave.
When to attack
Trade when Malphite walks into Death's Grasp range or uses Ground Slam on the wave. Before an objective fight, save Realm of Death for him if he still has his ultimate.
How to play Mordekaiser
- 1Farm with Obliterate and accept losing some health to Seismic Shard; heal back with Indestructible after several hits have stacked up.
- 2Look for Death's Grasp when Malphite approaches a minion, then land Obliterate on him alone for the single-target bonus damage.
- 3Ground Slam lowers your attack speed, but your main damage doesn't rely on it: keep going with abilities and the aura instead of backing off because of it.
- 4At dragon or Baron, use Realm of Death on Malphite before he charges. If he already has, use it on the enemy's main damage threat.
Mistakes to avoid
- Spending Realm of Death on the lane duel when its real value is removing Malphite from the teamfight.
- Chasing him without Death's Grasp while Seismic Shard steals your speed: Mordekaiser has no dash to close the gap.
Playing Malphite against Mordekaiser
Malphite needs magic resist and patience here: poke with Seismic Shard from outside Death's Grasp range and don't accept long trades inside his aura. Granite Shield recharges while you take no damage, so step back between waves. In teamfights, charge once Mordekaiser has used Realm of Death, or from an angle he can't reach before you.
Execution matters
Kennen vs Malphite
Reviewed for patch 7.3b
Kennen hits from range with magic damage and keeps Malphite without Granite Shield. It's a conditional answer: it depends on not eating Unstoppable Force with no way out, because Kennen is fragile and Malphite can engage on him with his jungler.
Why Kennen works against Malphite
01
Granite Shield needs time without damage
Malphite's shield only recharges if he goes a few seconds without being hit. Thundering Shuriken and Kennen's ranged basic attacks keep it broken, so every trade starts against his health, not his shield.
02
Marks and magic damage against armor
Kennen's abilities apply Mark of the Storm and stun at three marks. All of that damage is magic, so Thunderclap's armor doesn't reduce it. Ground Slam lowers your attack speed, but your main damage comes from abilities.
When to attack
Poke when Malphite walks up to last-hit and you have Lightning Rush available. Once he has his ultimate, check where his jungler is before every step forward.
How to play Kennen
- 1Throw Thundering Shuriken through a minion-free lane every time Malphite approaches the wave.
- 2Complete marks with basic attacks and Electrical Surge to threaten the stun if he tries a long trade.
- 3Save Lightning Rush to get away once Seismic Shard steals your speed or his charge threatens; don't use it to go in for a mark.
- 4When he has Unstoppable Force, play further behind the wave and keep Slicing Maelstrom as your answer to his engage.
Mistakes to avoid
- Keeping up the poke without checking the map when Malphite already has his ultimate and his jungler can arrive through the river.
- Going in with Lightning Rush to apply a mark and having no exit against Ground Slam and his charge.
Playing Malphite against Kennen
On Malphite, your best tool is the coordinated ultimate: Kennen can't survive a charge followed by your jungler's damage. Use Seismic Shard to steal his speed once he spends Lightning Rush, and don't chase through the wave while eating shurikens. Early magic resist on boots or an item takes a lot out of his poke.