Matchup

Kayn
Kayn
91%
9%

vs

50.8%

over 317 games

Malphite
Malphite
42%
58%
Strong engageHeavy CCVery tankyHeavy AP damage

Skill matchup

Build vs Malphite

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Gustwalker Hatchling
Health Potion

Core build

Hubris
1vs Tank
Youmuu's Ghostblade
2vs Tank
Edge of Night
3vs Tank

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Voltaic Cyclosword
5vs Tank

Summoner spells

41198%
11142%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Death's Dance
5vs AD
Guardian Angel
vs AD
Randuin's Omen
vs AD

Anti Heal

Chempunk Chainsword
6vs Heal

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Spirit Visage
5vs AP
Maw of Malmortius
vs AP
Force of Nature
vs AP

Anti Tank

Voltaic Cyclosword
5vs Tank
Black Cleaver
vs Tank
Axiom Arc
vs Tank
Serylda's Grudge
vs Tank
Serpent's Fang
vs Tank
Lord Dominik's Regards
vs Tank
Bastionbreaker
vs Tank
Umbral Glaive
vs Tank

DPS

Eclipse
DPS
Spear of Shojin
Bruiser
Endless Hunger
DPS

Other options

Sterak's Gage
Survival
100.0% WR5 games
DominationDomination
Dark HarvestDark Harvest
Sudden ImpactSudden Impact
Grisly MementosGrisly Mementos
Treasure HunterTreasure Hunter
InspirationInspiration
Magical FootwearMagical Footwear
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
KaynKayn
MalphiteMalphite
Aggressive
Careful
Passive

Malphite's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Granite Shield (P)

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.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
38s10s7s
68s10s7s2m10
98s9.5s7s2m10
118s9s7s1m55
168s8s7s1m40
188s8s7s1m40

Playing against Malphite

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Poke him to break his passive shield: it doesn't recharge for 8s after taking damage.

2

AP champions counter him in lane: Malphite stacks armor but remains vulnerable to magic damage.

3

Spread out in teamfights: his R knocks up in an area. If you're grouped, the fight is lost.

4

His Q costs a lot of mana: force him to spam it and he'll run out before even reaching level 6.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026