Zed vs Malphite

Zed
vs
56.9%

over 65 games

Malphite

Favorable matchup

Strong engageVery tankyHeavy AP damageHeavy CC

Build vs Malphite

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Zed: Voltaic Cyclosword, Bastionbreaker, Lord Dominik's Regards, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Serylda's Grudge, Axiom Arc, Edge of Night, Serpent's Fang.

Starting items

Scorchclaw Pup
Health Potion

Core build

Voltaic Cyclosword
1
Bastionbreaker
2
Lord Dominik's Regards
3

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Serylda's Grudge
5

Summoner spells

FlashSmite100%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Serylda's Grudge
Axiom Arc
Edge of Night
Serpent's Fang
Hubris
Endless Hunger
Eclipse
Spear of Shojin
Serrated Dirk
Youmuu's Ghostblade
Umbral Glaive
Guardian Angel
Profane Hydra
Black Cleaver
Death's Dance
37.5% WR8 games
InspirationInspiration
First StrikeFirst Strike
Cash BackCash Back
Triple TonicTriple Tonic
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
DominationDomination
Treasure HunterTreasure Hunter
Sudden ImpactSudden Impact
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

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 as Zed

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Combo with two shadows

    To kill, cast Death Mark (R), then Living Shadow (W), Shadow Slash (E) and Razor Shuriken (Q): with two shadows, you throw three shurikens.

  2. Dodge with Death Mark

    Cast Death Mark (R) just as the enemy casts their decisive spell: during the dash, you're untargetable.

  3. Save the swap back to your shadow

    After Death Mark (R), save the recast to get out: you swap places with the shadow left at your starting point, far from the fight.

  4. Save your energy

    Save enough energy for a full combo rather than casting your spells for nothing: Living Shadow (W) refunds energy when you and your shadow hit the same target.

  5. Flank to reach the carry

    In teamfights, go around the sides and save Death Mark (R) for an isolated target: going in from the front exposes you to the whole team's CC.

Playing against Malphite

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Pop his shield before trading

    Break Granite Shield (passive) with a cheap hit before taking a real trade: it absorbs 10% of his max health and triples his bonus armor.

  2. Lean on magic damage

    If you deal magic damage, lean on it in trades: his only resistances come from Thunderclap (W), which only gives armor.

  3. Trade when his mana runs low

    Trade when his mana runs low: Seismic Shard (Q) costs 70 to 90 mana, and it's his only ranged slow.

  4. Respect his level 6

    Once he hits level 6, only step up if he's visible: Unstoppable Force (R) comes from far away, nothing stops it, and its impact knocks every enemy in the area into the air.

  5. Spread out from your allies

    When he has Unstoppable Force (R), spread out from your allies in teamfights: the impact knocks every enemy in the area into the air.

Patch 16.21.1