Look, let’s get one thing straight: Malphite is a beast. No, really. The guy’s literally a rock. If you think you’re going to just push him around because you’re playing your fancy ADC or some squishy mage, think again. Malphite is here to crash the party, and if you don’t respect that, you’ll learn the hard way. I sure did.

Anyway, here’s the kicker: mastering Malphite isn’t about being flashy. It’s about timing. It’s about knowing when to engage, when to disengage, and when to crush everyone’s hopes with your ultimate. You don’t have to be the star player, but trust me, you’ll feel like one when you execute perfectly. You just need the right build and a solid game plan.

The Essence of Malphite

Okay, let’s break it down real quick: Malphite is a tank, but not just any tank. He’s the kind that’s all about CC, armor, and yes—crushing everyone with his big, bouldery fists. And, as I learned after some rather painful defeats, the best way to play him is to think of him like a wrecking ball. He doesn’t need to deal tons of damage; he just needs to stand there and make you wish you had picked a different champion.

Malphite’s Strengths:

• Unstoppable Force (R): This is the big one. It’s game-changing. He just launches himself into the enemy team like a wrecking ball (yes, that’s a Miley reference—you’re welcome).
• Massive Armor Scaling: The more armor you build, the harder it is for enemies to hurt you. Except Vayne. Vayne’s always a nightmare.
• Amazing Crowd Control: Between his Q, E, and ultimate, it’s like he’s handing out free CC to everyone. And who doesn’t love that?

So yeah, Malphite can be pretty savage when you know how to play him. The tanking? No brainer. The damage? Not so much. That’s where the real fun starts.

Best Summoner Spells for Malphite

You’ll want to pick the right summoner spells to make the most of your Malphite potential. If you mess this up, you might find yourself wishing you went with a different champ. Trust me, I’ve been there.

• Flash: Come on. You have to take this. Don’t even try to argue. Flashing into that perfect ult is just too good to pass up.
• Teleport: If you’re top lane, you need this. Sure, you can walk to lane like a peasant, but being able to hop around the map makes all the difference.
• Smite: Okay, if you’re jungling, this is your bread and butter. Go ahead and farm those jungle camps, maybe gank a few lanes while you’re at it.
• Ignite: This is the spicy pick. If you’re looking to bring the heat mid-lane, slap this one on there.

Flash is the one you can’t skip. Don’t even think about it.

Core Item Builds for Malphite

Now, the real fun begins: the builds. You’re gonna need to stack some serious tank items—or maybe try something wackier, like an AP build. But I’m gonna be real with you: Malphite is happiest when he’s a stone wall that doesn’t budge.

Tank Malphite Build (The Classic)

• Mythic Item:
  • Heartsteel – Feels pretty satisfying. Like, you get beefier the longer the game goes, and let me tell you, that late-game power spike is something else.
• Core Items:
  • Thornmail: Got that pesky healer on the enemy team? Thornmail’s your answer.
  • Sunfire Aegis: This item’s like a warm hug… but for enemies around you. Great for burning those pesky AD carries.
  • Frozen Heart: More armor? Yes please. It’ll slow down anyone who tries to hit you too hard.
  • Gargoyle Stoneplate: When you’ve got an entire enemy team breathing down your neck, this item turns you into a tanky beast.

I’m telling you right now: if you go full tank Malphite, you’re basically unkillable. I’ve seen this build turn entire fights around. Malphite doesn’t need to deal damage—he just needs to soak up everything and throw a rock-solid engage.

AP Malphite Build (For When You’re Feeling Cheeky)

• Mythic Item:
  • Night Harvester or Hextech Rocketbelt – Don’t laugh. It’s actually kinda hilarious watching enemies melt when you get your abilities off.

• Core Items:
  • Shadowflame: More damage, more fun. You’re all about that burst.
  • Rabadon’s Deathcap: Just a classic. You get big, fat numbers.
  • Zhonya’s Hourglass: Because sometimes, you need to avoid getting one-shot.
  • Sorcerer’s Shoes: Give yourself that sweet magic penetration.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t giggle a little the first time I tried this build. AP Malphite? It’s a one-shot wonder. But it’s also a lot more fragile than the tank build, so play with caution.

Optimal Rune Choices for Malphite

Okay, runes. I know you’re probably thinking: “Do I really need to think about runes? I just wanna hit people with my ult.” Well, yes, yes you do.

Tank Malphite Rune Setup

• Primary – Resolve:
  • Grasp of the Undying: This is your bread and butter for those sweet sustain trades.
  • Demolish: Go ahead, smash those towers. They won’t see it coming.
  • Second Wind or Conditioning: Helps you survive the tough lanes.
  • Overgrowth: Why not get even tankier?
• Secondary – Inspiration:
  • Biscuit Delivery: Everyone loves free healing, right?
  • Cosmic Insight: More summoner spell uptime? Heck yes.

I promise you’ll love this setup if you’re looking to become an unkillable wall. I mean, you’ll be taking less damage than my hopes and dreams after playing Ranked.

AP Malphite Rune Setup

• Primary – Domination:
  • Electrocute: For those tasty, quick bursts of damage.
  • Cheap Shot: Why not add some more damage while you’re at it?
  • Eyeball Collection: It’s all about the snowball.
  • Ultimate Hunter: More ultimates, more fun.
• Secondary – Sorcery:
  • Manaflow Band: ‘Cause, you know, more mana means more power.
  • Scorch: Add a little extra burn for your enemies.

Trust me—this is your go-to if you wanna land those one-shot combos.

Early Game Strategy: Play Safe, Scale Fast

When you’re in the early game with Malphite, you need to be patient. No need to rush in there and take every trade. Malphite shines when he’s got the items to back him up.

Pro Tip: Use your Q to farm safely. It’s low-key one of the best farming tools in the game. If you can dodge those early ganks and get a few good trades in, you’re set for mid-game.

Mid-Game: You’re a Freaking Tank

This is when Malphite starts to shine. Your ult is ready, your team is grouping up, and you’re about to wreck some faces. But hey, don’t just jump in with your ult. Trust me, that’s a rookie mistake.

You’ve got to position yourself properly. Look for that perfect moment to drop Unstoppable Force—a good engage here can win the fight, no joke. Also, if you’ve built properly, no one’s going to kill you.

Late Game: Engage, Engage, Engage

By now, you’re a stone wall that won’t budge. Time to make those sweet game-winning plays with your ultimate.

A couple of things to remember:

• Patience: Don’t rush your ult—make sure the enemy is bunched up.
• Peel for your carries: Don’t be afraid to use your CC to protect your team.
• Engage with purpose: Your ult is a game-changer. Don’t waste it.

I’ll be real: when you get a 5-man Malphite ult, you’ll feel like a king.

Malphite Matchups – The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Let’s talk matchups. I’ve had some… memorable moments with certain champs.

The Good:

• Tryndamere: He can’t do anything against your armor scaling. You just laugh as he whiffs his ult.
• Yasuo: All you have to do is stand there, and he’s useless. Don’t even get me started on how easy it is to cancel his Wind Wall.

The Bad:

• Vladimir: The healing is real. You’re just gonna watch him scale and cry.
• Vayne: She’s gonna kite you to oblivion. The horror.

Keep these in mind and adapt your build accordingly.

Final Thoughts

To sum it up, Malphite is a monster when played right. Whether you’re stacking armor and CCing your enemies to death, or you’re going full AP for a one-shot wonder, this champion is fun to play and terrifying to play against.

So go ahead, grab Malphite, pick your build, and get ready to change the course of a game with just one solid engage.