Matchup

Riven
Riven
89%
11%

vs

46.4%

over 1597 games

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

Skill matchup

Build vs Malphite

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Blade
Health Potion

Core build

Axiom Arc
1vs Tank
Death's Dance
2vs AD
Endless Hunger
3DPS

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Sundered Sky
5Bruiser

Summoner spells

41490%
4129%

Anti AD

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

Anti Heal

Mortal Reminder
6vs Hybride

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Maw of Malmortius
5vs AP
Mercurial Scimitar
vs AP
Spirit Visage
vs AP

Anti Heal

Chempunk Chainsword
6vs Heal

Anti Tank

Black Cleaver
5vs Tank
Serylda's Grudge
vs Tank
Voltaic Cyclosword
vs Tank
Serpent's Fang
vs Tank
Hubris
vs Tank
Profane Hydra
vs Tank
Lord Dominik's Regards
vs Tank
Edge of Night
vs Tank
Umbral Glaive
vs Tank

DPS

Sundered Sky
Bruiser
Eclipse
DPS
Ravenous Hydra
DPS
Fiendhunter Bolts
DPS
Spear of Shojin
Bruiser

Other options

Sterak's Gage
Survival
63.0% WR27 games
PrecisionPrecision
ConquerorConqueror
TriumphTriumph
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
Last StandLast Stand
InspirationInspiration
Jack Of All TradesJack Of All Trades
Cash BackCash Back
Ability HasteAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
RivenRiven
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