Gnar vs Malphite TOP Matchup Guide

Champion

Opponent

Start here

Read Overview → Trading Pattern → Danger Windows first for the fastest Top lane plan.

Gnar into Malphitemedium

Overview

Use mini form range to poke and kite Malphite, denying him free farm and safe trades.
Manage Rage to transform near terrain for impactful mega form engages and crowd control.
Punish Malphite's passive shield downtime by stepping forward with mini form poke.

Trade short-range poke with and and kite back with to avoid slows.
Step forward to punish when Malphite's passive shield is down and his slow is on cooldown.
Avoid committing to trades without available or when Rage timing leaves you weak.

Respect Malphite's level 6 engage, especially near walls and multiple targets.
Avoid trades or fights when your is down, as mini form is fragile without mobility.
After mega form expires, avoid extended fights until Rage rebuilds to prevent vulnerability.

Poke with and in mini form while keeping ready to escape.
Avoid extended trades before level 6 and when Malphite's passive shield is up.
Thin the wave early to force Malphite to last-hit under pressure and delay his armor stacking.

Level 6: Manage Rage to transform with near walls for game-changing CC and engage.
First bruiser item spike increases your durability and damage, strengthening trades against Malphite's armor.
Objective fights with controlled Rage let you turn fights with durable mega form and layered CC.

Use mini form poke and kiting to deny Malphite safe farming and force bad engages.
Time Rage to enter fights with mega form near terrain for maximum CC and durability.
Convert lane pressure into side-lane advantage and teamfight engage to outplay Malphite's slower lane pressure.

Tactical tip

For Gnar vs Malphite, read overview, trading pattern, and danger windows first for a fast Top lane check.

Updated Jul 4, 2026