Malphite is a straightforward tank champion who excels in the top lane, particularly effective against AD-heavy team compositions. His kit scales well with armor, making him a natural counter to physical damage dealers while struggling against AP threats.

Core Abilities Priority

• Against Ranged Champions: Max Q first
• Against Melee Auto-attackers: Max E first
• Against Melee Casters: Max W first

Optimal Skill Orders The skill order varies based on matchup:

• vs. Ranged (Teemo, Quinn, Gnar): Q > E > W
• vs. Auto-attackers (Irelia, Jax): E > W > Q
• vs. Ability-based (Riven, Renekton): W > E > Q

R should always be leveled at 6, 11, and 16.

Item Build Starting Items:

• Doran's Shield + Health Potion
• Cloth Armor + 4 Health Potions (vs heavy AD)

Core Items:

• Sunfire Aegis
• Plated Steelcaps
• Thornmail
• Frozen Heart

Situational Items:

• Randuin's Omen (vs crit champions)
• Spirit Visage (vs AP threats)
• Force of Nature (vs heavy AP)
• Warmog's Armor (for sustain)

Strengths

• Excellent against AD compositions
• Simple to learn and execute
• Strong engage potential
• Great scaling with armor
• Reliable lane phase

Weaknesses

• Vulnerable to AP damage
• Limited mobility without ultimate
• Mana-dependent early game
• Predictable playstyle

Key Tips

• Build armor to maximize ability scaling
• Use Q for poke and slow in lane
• Save ultimate for key teamfight engages
• Counter auto-attack heavy champions with E
• Consider matchup when choosing skill order

Remember to adapt your build and playstyle based on the enemy team composition and your lane opponent.

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