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Top · Ranked FlexMatchup guidePatch 16.20.1

Malphite vs Nilah

Build, runes, abilities and practical pre-game checks in one queue-aware reference.

MalphiteVSNilah

Matchup guide

Choose the matchup

Search every champion, choose the assigned role, then open the exact queue page.

VS
Role
Selected laneTop

Choose two champions from the list.

Role fit

TopMalphite

Malphite has an established solo-lane plan with the income and space needed to trade, manage waves and influence a side lane.

Primary role
Historical referenceRecommendation review pending

These patches track recommendation review, build validation and item lookup separately. Updating item data does not complete a build review.

Recommendation patch
16.16 Data Dragon
Build validation patch
16.19.1 Data Dragon
Item lookup patch
16.20.1 Data Dragon

Ranked Flex · Top

Evidence-supported Malphite Top

Follow the completed-item order as a pre-game reference. Components and owned items do not create extra inventory slots.

Primary role
S
Draft / Ranked opening · separate from item 1

Doran's Ring

400 gold

This is the most-supported Draft/Ranked starting item in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Compare its durability, sustain and damage trade-off before leaving base.

1
First item

Sunfire Aegis

2,800 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

2
Boots

Plated Steelcaps

1,200 gold

This is the most-supported Boots choice in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot; change it when the opposing damage or crowd control calls for a different defence.

3
Core

Thornmail

2,450 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

4
Late

Frozen Heart

2,500 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

5
Flexible

Jak'Sho, The Protean

3,200 gold

Keeps a reviewed late option after the prior-patch cross-check; move or replace it only when its stated match problem is present.

6
Repeated spell rotations

Cosmic Drive

3,000 gold

Completes the six-item inventory with movement speed and ability haste for repeated late-game spell rotations.

Complete build choices

Choose the route before play

Recommendation review pending

AlternativeToo much healingMorellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.View full route

Best when: Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.

  1. First itemSunfire Aegis
  2. BootsPlated Steelcaps
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. LateFrozen Heart
  5. FlexibleJak'Sho, The Protean
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeThey burst meZhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.View full route

Best when: Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

  1. First itemSunfire Aegis
  2. BootsPlated Steelcaps
  3. Zhonya's Hourglass
  4. LateFrozen Heart
  5. FlexibleJak'Sho, The Protean
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeOne spell stops meBanshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.View full route

Best when: Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

  1. First itemSunfire Aegis
  2. BootsPlated Steelcaps
  3. CoreThornmail
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. FlexibleJak'Sho, The Protean
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeThey stack magic resistVoid Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.View full route

Best when: Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

  1. First itemSunfire Aegis
  2. BootsPlated Steelcaps
  3. CoreThornmail
  4. Void Staff
  5. FlexibleJak'Sho, The Protean
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Complete build comparison

Complete build comparison

Recommendation review pending

Build review neededEvidence-supported Malphite TopRecommendation review pendingView full route

Recommendation review pending

  1. First itemSunfire Aegis
  2. BootsPlated Steelcaps
  3. CoreThornmail
  4. LateFrozen Heart
  5. FlexibleJak'Sho, The Protean
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeToo much healingMorellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.View full route

Best when: Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.

  1. First itemSunfire Aegis
  2. BootsPlated Steelcaps
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. LateFrozen Heart
  5. FlexibleJak'Sho, The Protean
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeThey burst meZhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.View full route

Best when: Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

  1. First itemSunfire Aegis
  2. BootsPlated Steelcaps
  3. Zhonya's Hourglass
  4. LateFrozen Heart
  5. FlexibleJak'Sho, The Protean
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeOne spell stops meBanshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.View full route

Best when: Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

  1. First itemSunfire Aegis
  2. BootsPlated Steelcaps
  3. CoreThornmail
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. FlexibleJak'Sho, The Protean
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeThey stack magic resistVoid Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.View full route

Best when: Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

  1. First itemSunfire Aegis
  2. BootsPlated Steelcaps
  3. CoreThornmail
  4. Void Staff
  5. FlexibleJak'Sho, The Protean
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsMalphiteTop

Take measured lane trades, scale durability and keep a route back to the map.

Ranked Flex
Primary tree

Resolve

Grasp of the UndyingDemolishSecond WindOvergrowth
Secondary tree

Precision

TriumphLast Stand
Summoner spells
FlashTeleport
Long-lane safety

Teleport preserves recalls and side-lane access. Ignite is a deliberate pressure trade-off, not a universal upgrade.

Respect the matchup

Keep the defensive secondary runes when repeated poke or one committed trade can decide the lane.

Matchup notes

What changes when Nilah is opposite you?

Pre-game kit comparison
Strategic interaction

Reliable physical defence

Armour and a simple engage pattern are worth reviewing into a physical skirmisher.

Mid to late

Control and protection become clearer once teams group around objectives and carries need a front line.

Your plan

Use the route you prepared

Treat Vex as one part of the map state. Their Jungler, nearby waves and which teammates can move determine whether the same trade or rotation is safe.

Static alternatives

Compare the problem before changing the plan

These choices are not selected from live scores. Use one only after you identify the stated match problem yourself.

Only when enemy healing is deciding fights

Oblivion Orb

Oblivion Orb supplies healing reduction without committing to a completed Morellonomicon. Skip both when healing is not the problem or an ally already covers your target reliably. Healing reduction does not reduce shields.

Conditional component, not a core item. Complete Morellonomicon only when its stats and slot efficiency justify delaying another purchase.
They burst me

Zhonya's Hourglass

Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

One spell stops me

Banshee's Veil

Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

They stack magic resist

Void Staff

Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

Ability reference

Compare both kits

Ability reference Data Dragon 16.20.1

Cooldown / Cost / Range Data Dragon 16.20.1

Malphite

  1. P
    Granite Shield

    Granite Shield is an automatic part of the kit involving damage. Track when its condition is active instead of treating every fight the same way.

  2. Q
    Seismic Shard

    Seismic Shard contributes damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

    Cooldown 8 · Cost 70/75/80/85/90 · Listed range 625
  3. W
    Thunderclap

    Thunderclap is part of Malphite's W pattern. Read its listed effect first, then track the cooldown and condition that make the next use valuable.

    Cooldown 10/9.5/9/8.5/8 · Cost 30/35/40/45/50 · Listed range 400
  4. E
    Ground Slam

    Ground Slam contributes basic-attack interaction and damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

    Cooldown 7 · Cost 50/55/60/65/70 · Listed range 400
  5. R
    Unstoppable Force

    Unstoppable Force is part of Malphite's R pattern. Read its listed effect first, then track the cooldown and condition that make the next use valuable.

    Cooldown 130/115/100 · Cost 100 · Listed range 1000

Nilah

  1. P
    Joy Unending

    Joy Unending is an automatic part of the kit involving protection or sustain. Track when its condition is active instead of treating every fight the same way.

  2. Q
    Formless Blade

    Formless Blade contributes damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

    Cooldown 4 · Cost 30 · Listed range 600
  3. W
    Jubilant Veil

    Jubilant Veil is part of Nilah's W pattern. Read its listed effect first, then track the cooldown and condition that make the next use valuable.

    Cooldown 26/25/24/23/22 · Cost 60/45/30/15/0 · Listed range 150
  4. E
    Slipstream

    Slipstream contributes damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

    Cost 40 · Listed range 550
  5. R
    Apotheosis

    Apotheosis contributes damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

    Cooldown 110/95/80 · Cost 100 · Listed range 400

Adapt the plan

What to do when the game changes

Judge the whole lane or map state, not only personal kills. Choose the situation closest to the current game.

Even plan

Trade around the wave and your strongest cooldowns

1
Lane

Keep health and minions balanced so one poor trade does not decide the lane.

2
Map play

Move after the wave is handled and communicate if the opposing Top laner leaves first.

3
Fights

Choose between front-line duty, side pressure and carry access according to the champion kit.

Pings, movement and objectives

Malphite Top map plan

Manage the long lane before leaving it. A useful move begins with a handled wave, a visible route and a teammate who knows you are coming.

Ahead

Use the side-lane lead without donating it

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing when the opposing Top leaves, then On My Way before a flank or objective move.
Stay or move
Push the wave before moving. Stay if leaving would hand several minions or your tower back to the opponent.
Objective
Arrive through a known route and mark whether you are front-lining, flanking or protecting a carry. Do not enter alone before the team can follow.
Even

Make the wave create the first move

Ping
Use Enemy Missing early, Danger on the route they may take, and On My Way only after your own wave is handled.
Stay or move
Move after pushing or on a shared recall. Do not follow through unwarded river merely because the opponent left first.
Objective
Tell the team whether you can move before the objective starts. Approach with vision and save the cooldown needed for the first real commitment.
Behind

Protect experience and communicate the pressure

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing immediately and Retreat if teammates are about to meet the stronger Top laner without you.
Stay or move
Do not match a stronger opponent through darkness. Clear the safe wave, then group by the shortest controlled route.
Objective
State early if you cannot contest. If the team still fights, provide control or protection instead of attempting an isolated flank.
Objective setup

Four calls, in order

Pings create a shared plan; they do not replace checking waves, vision and who can move.

  1. 1
    Handle the wave

    Push, catch or communicate the wave before leaving so the opponent does not gain a free move and free income.

  2. 2
    Signal the route

    Use On My Way for the route you are actually taking and Danger where an unseen opponent may arrive.

  3. 3
    Enter together

    Move through controlled vision with the Jungler or another ally instead of face-checking the objective alone.

  4. 4
    Choose the job

    Decide whether you are engaging, front-lining, flanking or protecting a carry before the fight begins.

Later objectives: Repeat the same process around later major objectives: handle nearby income, communicate the route, enter through vision and agree on the fight before committing.

Keep preparing

Use the champion page or choose another opponent

The matchup page is a pre-game reference. It does not predict the result or alter its recommendation from changing live match data.

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