Counter Malphite: The Ultimate Guide to Shutting Down the Unstoppable Rock

Malphite, the colossal rock elemental, is a formidable force in League of Legends, known for his devastating ultimate ability and unyielding tankiness. Countering Malphite effectively requires a combination of champion picks, item builds, and strategic gameplay. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies necessary to neutralize Malphite and secure victory on the Rift.

Understanding Malphite's Strengths and Weaknesses

Malphite excels in large-scale team fights, where his ultimate ability, Unstoppable Force, can shatter enemy formations and deal massive area-of-effect damage. Additionally, his Granite Shield passive grants him substantial armor and magic resistance, making him incredibly durable in extended engagements.

However, Malphite is vulnerable to crowd control. His abilities are relatively slow and telegraphed, leaving him susceptible to interrupts and displacements. Additionally, his lack of mobility makes him an easy target for burst damage and assassinations.

Champion Picks to Counter Malphite

Several champions possess abilities and kits that directly counter Malphite's strengths and exploit his weaknesses. Here are the top picks:

1. Quinn: Quinn's ability to harass Malphite with her ranged attacks and blind him with Blinding Assault is a major threat.
2. Fiora: Fiora's ability to parry Unstoppable Force and deal percent-health damage through Vital hits makes her a potent counter.
3. Vayne: Vayne's high mobility and ability to attack multiple times in quick succession allow her to shred through Malphite's armor and deal significant damage.
4. Kassadin: Kassadin's ultimate ability, Riftwalk, allows him to dodge Unstoppable Force and escape Malphite's ultimate.
5. Twisted Fate: Twisted Fate's global ultimate, Destiny, enables him to teleport away from Malphite's ultimate and set up ganks for his team.

Item Builds to Counter Malphite

Beyond champion selection, item builds play a crucial role in countering Malphite. Here are some recommended items:

1. Liandry's Anguish: This item applies a percentage of maximum health damage to enemies, making it effective against Malphite's high base health.
2. Rylai's Crystal Scepter: Slowing Malphite with this item reduces his mobility and makes it easier to kite him.
3. Mortal Reminder: The percent-health attack speed reduction from this item significantly weakens Malphite's healing and offensive capabilities.
4. Hextech GLP-800: This active item provides a ranged slow, which can be used to interrupt Malphite's ultimate or kiting him.
5. Zhonyas Hourglass: This item allows champions to invulnerable for a brief period, which can be used to dodge Malphite's ultimate.

Strategic Gameplay to Counter Malphite

In addition to champion picks and item builds, strategic gameplay is essential for countering Malphite effectively. Here are some tips:

1. Avoid team fights early: Malphite's ultimate is most potent in the late game when his damage and tankiness are scaled. Avoid engaging in large-scale team fights until your team is strong enough to withstand his ultimate.
2. Spread out: When Malphite activates Unstoppable Force, spread out to minimize the impact of the area-of-effect damage.
3. Control Malphite's ultimate: Use crowd control abilities to interrupt Malphite's ultimate or displace him away from your team.
4. Split push: If your team is struggling to engage Malphite directly, consider split pushing to force him to respond and divide his team.
5. Assassinate Malphite: A well-timed assassination attempt can eliminate Malphite before he gets the chance to activate his ultimate.

Pain Points and Motivators

Pain Points

• Malphite's high base damage and tankiness can make him a major threat in team fights.
• His ultimate ability, Unstoppable Force, is a devastating area-of-effect attack that can shatter enemy formations.
• Malphite's passive, Granite Shield, grants him substantial bonus armor and magic resistance, making him incredibly durable.

Motivators

• Countering Malphite effectively can significantly increase your team's chances of success.
• Shutting down Malphite's ultimate ability can prevent him from wreaking havoc in team fights.
• Exploiting Malphite's weaknesses, such as his lack of mobility and vulnerability to crowd control, can give your team an advantage.

FAQs

1. What champions are good at countering Malphite?
   - Quinn, Fiora, Vayne, Kassadin, Twisted Fate
2. What items are effective against Malphite?
   - Liandry's Anguish, Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Mortal Reminder, Hextech GLP-800, Zhonyas Hourglass
3. What strategies can be used to counter Malphite's ultimate?
   - Spread out, use crowd control, interrupt with mobility spells, assassinate Malphite
4. How can I overcome Malphite's tankiness?
   - Build items with percent-health damage, attack speed reduction, and armor/magic penetration.
5. What should I do if I'm facing a Malphite in the laning phase?
   - Harass him with ranged attacks, avoid extended trades, and call for jungle assistance.
6. How can I split push against Malphite?
   - Choose a champion with good wave clear and mobility, push lanes quickly, and avoid engaging with Malphite directly.
7. What are the late-game strategies for countering Malphite?
   - Group up and engage Malphite when he has no ultimate, focus on eliminating him before he can deal significant damage.
8. What are the key things to remember when playing against Malphite?
   - Understand his strengths and weaknesses, build the appropriate items, employ strategic gameplay, and communicate effectively with your team.

In conclusion, countering Malphite requires a combination of champion selection, item builds, and strategic gameplay. By understanding his capabilities and exploiting his vulnerabilities, you can effectively neutralize his threat and secure victory on the Rift.