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Malphite combos

Shard of the Monolith

3 Malphite combos explained key by key: in which order to cast the abilities, when to use them and what each step does. The main combo is Q › W › AA › E. Further down: every ability's cooldown, cost and range, and the skill max order measured over ranked games.

Malphite combos

The lane trade

Q › W › AA AA › E

When: An enemy is within shard range.

Seismic Shard steals their speed for 3 seconds and brings you closer, Thunderclap makes your attacks produce shockwaves, Ground Slam reduces their attack speed.

The team engage

R › E › W › AA AA

When: Several enemies are grouped.

Unstoppable Force sends you charging at high speed, damaging the enemies and knocking them up; follow with Ground Slam and your empowered attacks.

Harassment

Q › E

When: You want to hinder a carry.

Seismic Shard slows by stealing speed; Ground Slam briefly reduces attack speed: you greatly reduce their effectiveness.

Common mistakes

• Casting Unstoppable Force with no target to hit in an area.
• Getting hit for nothing: your shield recharges if you take no damage.
• Neglecting armor: it strengthens your Ground Slam damage.

Cooldowns, costs and ranges

A combo only comes back once its abilities are off cooldown: these values (rank 1 to max rank, in seconds) tell how long to wait between two combos. Source: Data Dragon 16.19.1.

Ability	Cooldown (s)	Cost	Range
Q · Seismic Shard	8	70/75/80/85/90 Mana	625
W · Thunderclap	10/9.5/9/8.5/8	30/35/40/45/50 Mana	400
E · Ground Slam	7	50/55/60/65/70 Mana	400
R · Unstoppable Force	130/115/100	100 Mana	1000

Official ability descriptions

PassiveGranite Shield

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.

QSeismic Shard

Malphite sends a shard of the earth through the ground at his foe, dealing damage upon impact and stealing Move Speed for 3 seconds.

WThunderclap

Malphite attacks with such force that it creates a sonic boom. For the next few seconds, his attacks create aftershocks in front of him.

EGround Slam

Malphite slams the ground, sending out a shockwave that deals magic damage based on his Armor and reduces the Attack Speed of enemies for a short duration.

RUnstoppable Force

Malphite launches himself to a location at high speed, damaging enemies and knocking them into the air.

Skill order

Max order: Q > E > W49.0% · 49 games

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15
Q	●			●	●		●		●
W			●											●	●
E		●						●		●		●	●
R						●					●

Max order: Q > W > E36.4% · 22 games

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15
Q	●			●	●		●		●
W		●						●		●		●	●
E			●											●	●
R						●					●

The order shows which abilities reach rank 5 first; the grid shows the most-played level-up sequence with that order (measured over 100 games).

Riot's official tips for playing Malphite

• Armor naturally reduces the rate that attacks go through Granite Shield, so Brutal Strikes will strengthen the shield against physical damage.
• Despite his abilities scaling on Armor, some games require Malphite to get Magic Resist. When those games occur, try getting Aegis of the Legion, Mercury's Treads, and Guardian Angel.

How to play around Malphite's combos

• If you're a physical damage character stay behind your allies when fighting Malphite. Ground Slam can significantly reduce your damage output.
• Malphite is one of a couple tanks who are capable of jungling. Watch out if he gets Smite.

Frequently asked questions

Build, runes and counters: full Malphite guide · every champion's combos · tier list