ARAM Build Guide
Malphite ARAM Build — Full AP One-Shot Machine
Malphite in ARAM is a teamfight-winning engage tank. Or a full AP one-shot assassin. Here's how to build him for maximum impact on the Howling Abyss.
Malphite in ARAM is one of the most versatile champions in the game. You can build him full tank and be an unkillable frontline. Or you can build him full AP and one-shot the entire enemy team with a single R + E + Q combo. Most people build him tank. Smart people build him full AP.
His win rate in ARAM sits around 54%, and it's not hard to see why. His R (Unstoppable Force) is an AOE knock-up that can't be interrupted. On the narrow bridge, a good Malphite ult can knock up all 5 enemies. And if you're full AP, that ult alone deals 1,500+ damage.
Best Malphite ARAM Runes
Primary: Domination
Dark Harvest — Malphite stacks this fast because he's constantly getting kills and assists with his ult. By 15 minutes you'll have 20+ stacks and your R + E + Q combo will one-shot squishies.
Cheap Shot — Your Q slows, which procs Cheap Shot for bonus true damage. Free damage on every Q.
Eyeball Collection — Free AP from takedowns. You'll max this out fast.
Ultimate Hunter — Lower R cooldown means more teamfight-winning engages. Malphite's ult is his identity.
Secondary: Sorcery
Manaflow Band — Malphite is mana-hungry. Manaflow Band gives you permanent mana and mana regen.
Gathering Storm — Free AP over time. ARAM games go long, so Gathering Storm gives you scaling.
Why not Arcane Comet? Comet is fine for poke, but Dark Harvest scales way harder in ARAM. You're not laning, you're teamfighting from minute one. Dark Harvest gives you kill pressure that Comet can't match once you have 20+ stacks.
Best Malphite ARAM Items
Core Build (in order)
Luden's Tempest — Malphite's core mythic for AP builds. The magic penetration and burst damage synergize perfectly with his R + E + Q combo.
Sorcerer's Shoes — Magic penetration boots. More damage on every ability.
Shadowflame — Flat magic penetration. Your R + E + Q combo will one-shot squishies.
Rabadon's Deathcap — Massive AP boost. Your R will deal 1,500+ damage to the entire enemy team.
Situational 5th & 6th Items
Void Staff — If they have 2+ tanks building magic resist. 40% magic penetration makes your damage relevant again.
Zhonya's Hourglass — If you're getting focused after you ult in. R the enemy team, Zhonya's, watch your team collapse.
Lich Bane — If you want more burst. Your Q procs Lich Bane for bonus damage.
Morellonomicon — If they have heavy healing. Your E applies Grievous Wounds to everyone it hits.
Don't build tank Malphite in ARAM. Tank Malphite is fine in ranked, but ARAM doesn't need a tank. You need damage. Full AP Malphite one-shots the entire enemy team with a single ult. Tank Malphite just... exists. Build AP.
Ability Order
Max Q first (Seismic Shard), then E (Ground Slam), then W (Thunderclap). Take R at 6, 11, 16.
Q is your primary poke and damage. Lower cooldown means more poke. In ARAM, you're spamming Q on cooldown from max range.
E second for the AOE damage. In ARAM, your E hits multiple enemies in every teamfight.
W is one point wonder until last. The armor and damage are nice, but the scaling isn't worth maxing over Q or E.
ARAM-Specific Tips
Your R is unstoppable. Malphite's R can't be interrupted by CC. In ARAM, this means you can ult through Janna R, Thresh E, Vayne E, and every other knockback or stun. Once you press R, you're going in no matter what.
Your E reduces enemy attack speed by 50%. Malphite's E is an AOE attack speed slow. In ARAM, this cripples ADCs and auto-attack champions. Use E after you ult to reduce their DPS.
Q poke: Malphite's Q has 800 range and steals movement speed. In ARAM, use Q on cooldown to poke before fights start. The movement speed steal makes it almost impossible to dodge.
R engage timing: Don't ult randomly. Wait for the enemy team to group on the narrow bridge, then R all 5 of them. A 5-man Malphite ult wins teamfights instantly.
Combo: R into the enemy team, E immediately for AOE damage and attack speed slow, Q the priority target, auto attack. If you're full AP, this combo one-shots squishies.
When Malphite is Strong vs Weak in ARAM
Malphite dominates against AD-heavy comps. If the enemy team is 3+ ADCs or AD assassins, your E attack speed slow cripples them. He's also great against grouped comps — your R can knock up all 5 enemies on the narrow bridge.
He struggles against long-range poke comps (Xerath, Ziggs, Lux) who can poke you down before you can engage. He's also weak against heavy sustain comps (Soraka + Sona + enchanters) who can heal up your poke.
He's weakest in the first 10 minutes before Luden's and Shadowflame. Once you have both items, you're a monster. Once you have Rabadon's, you're one-shotting the entire enemy team.
FAQ
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Looking for more ARAM builds? Check out our Amumu ARAM build, Leona ARAM build, or Nautilus ARAM build.
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Check out our full Malphite champion guide for ranked builds and strategies.
